"Mine Personal Property🔥"

Chapter 2: Dirty Cat Bar

"Get yo sweet ass over here honey and serve these big fellas up

something fine."

Irolled my eyes at Natasha, the owner of this little shithole as l

sauntered over to fill their tankards. Who the hell still drunk out af

tankards? This wasn't f*****g pirates of the Caribbean at some Disney resort. This was busy Austin, Texas where you were as important as a gnat, Invisible. Lost among the rich, broken dreams, and s*x. The city was a melting pot of culture, diversity with sleek gleaming building

stretching beyond the clouds, and anyone who was important invested into its booming economy. I, unfortunately, was one of those pooe souls who had the joy of divulging in its seedy side, the undenbelly ofsuch a booming city.

"What are you having fellas?"

"How about you on the table with a side of tit?" a man said, hanging sloppìly over his friend, I resisted the urge to roll myeyes as my nose.twitched from the greasy smell of food, cigarette shicke, and booze .

Faux leather stools lined the bar and oak colored booths with faux black leather cushioning peppered the place providing a semblance of privacy for patrons who come to drown their woes or look for their next booty call. There wasn't much lighting, and I supposed that was good for the customers. Regardless, I bit my lip as I felt my inner demon began her chants with her temper boiling beneath her skin. Sadly, this wasn't new.Letting some sleazeball cop a feel so I could get a bigger tip was second nature to me. I didn't give a f**k. I had a little mouth to feed and a

grumpy baby sitter to pay. Thankfully, today was payday, and I would be able to pay her in full. She'd put up with a lot of s**t from me, and I with her, but she was the best I got. Besides, I knew she loved Tyler to the

moon and back. f*****g cunt. She was lucky | liked her.

"Honey, I can't do that. I have all these other men to take care of," I said,smiling at him when I really ached to drive my pen into his navel, Would he bleed to death?

"You're always such a good little girl. I would love to see whère those lips would take me. Maybe another time." He slid a fifty into my jeans

pocket.

Well, hello to you big daddy, and how about never you sloth. My lip nearly curled in repugnance as I took in his oily blond hair sweating in the low undertone of lights, and his browning teeth that looked like he didn't know what a toothbrush was. This guy was old enough to be my pappy. No, thank you.

"I'll take the volcanic whopper with some fries."

"Done," I said, twirling my pen before placing it on my ear. I hoped his asshole fell out. I smiled at him before turning my back on him and moving towards the back.

"I saw that," Natasha giggled.

"Yeah, yeah, I need the money. I got bills."

"I know, honey. If I could offer more I would."

"I know, Tash," I said, smiling at the beautiful light caramel-skinned

woman with the dark brown eyes. She was there in the beginning when my world was dark when I had absolutely no one. At least tonight, the music was playing, the alcohol was flowing, and the hot food was flying out. It was a good night for tips.

nare

"Bye ma! Bye pa! I love ya!" I shouted as I waved from the passenger car door. Sitting back, I rolled the window up before smiling at Ray. "This car sure is fancy Ray.

"I'm just glad to get you some exposure doll. You've been locked up too

long."

"It's just ma and pa way of protecting me," I said, trying to excuse their

behavior.

"It's not normal. I'm afraid you're completely unprepared."

"I've got a good head on my shoulders, Ray. I'm sure I'll be fine." I gave him a reassuring smile as a worried look settled on his face. I've never

seen that look on his face, and I didn't like it, but what was he so

worried about? I would be fine. Really, I would. I had him and my ma

and pa.

"Whoa!" I gasped aloud staring at the massive building towering above me. It was sleek, modern, and fancy. The opposite of what I grew up with and that made it all the more appealing. The bright lights gleamed peering like diamond dust in the sky. Billboards showcasing shows,

models, and more sat atop of the massive skyscrapers. My eyes simply weren't enough to take it all in. I needed more. "Ray is this place real?" I whispered as he stopped in front of a luxury hotel, and a boy in a

uniform approached the car.

"Of course, it is," he said, smiling at my wide-eyed expression. "C'mon.

Let's get you settled."

Anticipation filled me as Ray grabbed my luggage from the car. Tingles

raced up my arms and my hair shuffled around in the night wind. I inhaled deeply before following behind him. Catching up, I walked side

by side with Ray, and I was surprised as the man at the desk, the

concierge I later learned he was called gave Ray a wide grin.

"Mister Gaines, welcome."

"Thank you, this is my niece. She will be staying with me during my

stay."

"Of course, your accommodations are ready.

People were nice here in the city. The man practically groveled at Ray's

feet before giving him his room key. My head swiveled from the

beautiful marble floors to the extravagant lighting illuminating the place. Everything was neat and in order, not a speck of dirt could be seen. Sadly, I was starting to miss the farm.

"Don't lose this," Ray said, handing me the room key. We stopped at the elevator. I knew what an elevator was. I had read all about them but as I stepped into the strange box, I had the oddest feeling that I was in a coffin. It made me slightly nervous as I was used to the free and open

space of the farm, even if my parents kept me within eyesight.

"It's not so bad."

"I know. It's just different," I mumbled quietly.

"Ray!" I gasped, "I feel like I'm in a space ship! This is all so extravagant!"

I exclaimed when he opened the door. The space was quite open and

had a modern contemporary flair. My eyes darted from the white quartz countertops to the dark hand-scraped wooden floors, and the high tech laying all over the place.

"This is home," Ray said, chuckling at my expression.

"This place is amazing!" I sang twirling around. "Where's my room?!"I

asked excitedly, hoping to have an amazing view.

"Come, Let me give you a tour."

I let out a deep sigh as I finally collapse onto the soft bed. This place was

amazing! How did Uncle Ray afford all of this?! Maybe his job paid for it.Anticipation filled me at tomorrow's prospects, but my eyes were heavy,

lidded with sleep and I was out before I knew it.

corius

"Lee, I'm worried about you. You're working yourself to the bone."

"Tasha, I'm the first to admit thatI need some help, but between

working these two jobs and taking online classes, it's to be expected,"I griped, rolling my neck trying to loosen up the tendons there. Tonight was a good night, I'd made enough money to where I wouldn't be

pressed for the next two weeks. If only I could make money like this

every day, things would be so much easier.

"Why don't you take some time off?" Natasha said, looking at me

worriedly.

"You're not trying to fire me?"

"Oh hush, you know I'd never do such a thing. It's just renovations will

be underway soon."

You didn't tell me! Congratulations! This calls for drinks!"

"I am excited about the expansion. The ink is still fresh on the paper!"

she replied, gleefully.

"You certainly worked hard enough for it. As long as you're serving good

coffee, I'm there,"Ichuckled. "Look, girl, I gotto go. I don't want my

baby sitter nagging me, and Iwant to see my baby. I love his sleeping

face."

"Alright, Give Tyler a kiss for me."

"You got it."I gave the curly-haired woman a hug before departing. I was happy for Natasha a little sad for myself. The girl was making big moves by buying the lot next to the bar and turning it into a cafe. I was sure the busy and young millennials would flock there. I climbed into my car. It was a fourteen-year-old Honda, but it was all I had. The mileage was over a hundred thousand and I wasn't sure when it was going to go.I just needed it to hold out indefinitely. I smiled at the empty car seat in the back.

It's been four years since I had Tyler, saw or heard from anybody. I could

feel the emotions waiting to explode and send me into a frenzy, but l

closed the lid on the box tightly. Instead, I bit my lip and clutched the steering wheel tightly in my hands. This was f*****g stupid. It was one of the reasons that I hated being by myself. It was dangerous. The

monsters were in the dark waiting for me, to drag me down to my own personal hell. I swallowed the rock todge in my throat and started the car. I had Tyler and he was all I need.

I parked my car lock the doors and went into the two-bedroom

apartment. I was lucky enough to find something cheap and in a decent neighborhood. A lot of old folks stayed around these parts, but it wasn't as if I was looking for the nightlife or a hot maintenance man. I wanted something quiet. It was one of the things I prided myself on, providing a safe environment for my baby. Everyone adored him. They couldn't help themselves. Hewas adorable, with pale green eyes and cobalt black

hair. He was going to be a force to be reckoned with when he was older.

He took on a lot of my features, I didn't know whether to be grateful or appalled. My heart swelled with love thinking about my beautiful boy.

"In here!"

My keys clang on the kitchen countertop and I followed Sarah's voice into the bathroom. She was admiring herself in the mirror. Her hair is cut into a long chic bob while her brown eyes are outlined in thick black eyeliner. She didn't like the term Goth, but that was exactly what came to mind when looking at her apparel.

"Here's your pay, and thanks. I'm trying to get better."

"No probs, Lee, you're cool, I know how hard you work. Your good

peoples. Well, I'm out of here."

I watch as she left the bathroom. She rumbled around the small great room and then skipped out of the apartment closing the door behind her. I went to lock it. Then paused at the bathroom and peeked in. My violet eyes were no longer filled with innocence, instead, they were hard only softening when I gaze at Tyler, and my hair was no longer a pale blonde. I now kept it black as sin, my eyebrows as well. My lips

remained red and full. Sometimes, I hated my features. It was the only thing of value to my parents. The thing they took pride in. Fury burst from my pores and my fist flew forward toward the woman in the mirror only to stop at the last second. I rested my fist against the mirror while l catch my breath. I needed to get it together.

Breathe Amelia.

I slowly count to three before cutting out the lights and going to see Tyler. I smiled. His dinosaur nightlight was on and he was fast asleep in his bed. Once again, my heart swelled with tove and affection, and

worry bubbled up like an incessant sore as I tried not to pick at it until it

bleeds. I was terrified of something ever happening to my baby, eer

toddler. I squatted beside his bed, and brush my fingers through his hair.

"Mommy loves you," I whispered before kissing him on his cheek and

then his forehead. Geez, he was sound asleep. I left the door slightly

crack before going to climb in my own bed, I was off tomorrow, and I planned to make my boy pancakes . I grinned at the thought before drifting asleep .