Top of the Hill

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“So, how ya gettin home tonight?”

“I have my own car, sir. And yes, I’m okay to drive.”

“Ya precious cargo, jus wanni make sure you get home safe.”

“Don’t study me, you won’t graduate. You think you’re slick.”

“Um sers.”

“What did I just tell you, sir?”

He shook his head, “How are you getting home?”

“Well, can you drive?”

“Ya not bout to ahx me drive you home when oddoneen know ya real name are you?”

She sighed, “…It’s Melissa, but you can call me Liss, or Mel, or whatever you want really.”

“So I ca call you Beautiful then.”

“Of course. But don’t think I don’t fucking know how you men operate. I’m too old for tricks.”

“I really jus wantchu get home safe.”

“Well you should follow me home so you can find out…but don’t think you’re coming inside.”

“Here, drink this for me please.”

“I didn’t ask for bottled water, I’m not paying for that! Get me that tap water…and put some lime in it too.”

“It’s on de house, all of it. Here’s ya lime.”

“Hmph. Thanks.”

“Cheers, aye make sure you look me in my eyes. Ten years ah bad sex if you don’t, we don’t want dat.”

She chuckled. Eyes locked, glasses clanked, then he tapped his shot glass against the counter before throwing it back.

“So um takin you home midnight, in ya car. You plan on lettin me leave? Cuz um gotta make 8 at my other job.”

“You said you wanted me to get home safely, sir. If you want to sleep over just say that, I have a pullout couch in my living room.”

“I hear you. Drink that water while I close out. Uma try not to keep you waitin too long.”

“You are very demanding, sir. I live on Pearman’s Hill, do you even know where that is?”

“Wow, how long ya bin up der?”

“………long enough to not scratch my car on nights like this. About three years.”

“Oh, I jus move back Quarry Drive couple years ago. Ya bin hidin.”