In the three weeks that followed, Sun visited Ikher almost twice a week. Last night, Eric called, asking if Ikher wanted an overnight visit. Despite his protests, Eric assured him he was fine with it and said he gets better sleep by himself. Ikher found this out when he woke up several times to find Sun either wrapped around him or with her limbs strewn across him.
When he woke the next morning, the bed was empty. Rubbing his face, Ikher rolled out of bed and found Sun in the front room. She was bent over backwards with her palms and feet flat on the floor, dressed only in her underwear.
“Morning,” she said, smiling at him upside down.
Ikher knelt next to her and turned his head sideways. “I was gonna make breakfast. Hungry?”
Sun put one hand on his knee and used it to raise herself to stand. She twisted slowly as she rose, her mouth to the side. “Depends. What are you making?”
“Was thinking Heuvos Rancheros,” Ikher said, walking to the fridge.
“Yes, please!”
She pushed both arms to the ceiling while pushing one leg back. Ikher pulled ingredients and started prepping while Sun continued her yoga. He finished spicing the sausage and dumped in it the skillet before cracking the eggs in a separate pan.
“Hey, what are you making again? What’s in it?” Sun asked after a minute.
Ikher turned to see her face wrinkled at him. “Heuvos Rancheros. Eggs, cheese, tomatoes, and some sausage. What’s up?”
She pinched her nose and shook her head. “The smell. My head started hurting when you started cooking.”
“Does it smell bad?” Ikher asked, leaning over and sniffing the pan, but it smelled normal.
“No, but it’s giving me a headache. I think I’m gonna head home.”
Ikher pulled the pan off the flame and opened a window and tried to fan out the smell. “I can make something else.”
Sun waved his offer away as she walked back to the bedroom to get her clothes.
“Don’t ruin your breakfast because of me!” she yelled from the back. “That was too heavy, anyway. I usually have something light in the morning!”
A few minutes later, she came back to the front dressed and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Her face scrunched up when she got close to the kitchen.
“Yeah, that’s killing me,” she said. She squeezed his butt as she walked by to the door. “Thanks. Last night was fun.”
“It was. Sorry about the smell.”
Ikher walked her out to the porch where she kissed him on the cheek, then skipped down to her car. Ikher saw Janine, Roy, and Ainsley gathered by Roy’s truck. Roy waved, so he walked over.
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Janine checked her lipstick in the mirror one last time and adjusted her head wrap.
“Ainsley, let’s go girl.”
“Coming!”
Tiny stomps echoed from the back as Ainsley ran to the front with her jacket on backwards, dragging her book bag. Janine sighed and shook her head, pulling her daughter’s jacket off and helping her put it on the correct way.
They exited the house and saw Roy waiting against his truck.
“Thanks for this.”
“It all good,” Roy said, reaching down to pick up Ainsley. “Wha gawn, little lady,”
“Hey, Roy.” Ainsley said and gave him a high five after he picked her up.
Movement drew Janine’s attention to a short skinny dark-haired girl exiting Ikher’s house. She gave him a kiss, then left. Janine and Roy shared a smile.
“Ikher got himself a new girl, eh?” Roy said, waving.
“Apparently,” Janine said as Ikher started over.
“Morning,” he said as he approached.
“Ikher! I’m taller than you!” Ainsley said with a big grin from Roy’s chest.
“You are! Way tall!”
“Who was that?” Janine asked, her grin enormous.
“Just a friend,” Ikher shrugged, cheeks tinted red.
Janine punched Ikher in the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back in the saddle, guy. You’ve been moping for too long.”
“I haven’t been moping.”
Janine laughed at him. “Yeah, okay. You’ve just been drowning yourself in video games and weed.” She checked her watch and turned to Roy and Ainsley. “All right, you two. Get going before you’re late.”
“Kisses!” Ainsley said, reaching for her mother. After a kiss, Roy buckled her into the truck and they left.
“Aight, I gotta go, too. Don’t smoke too much today,” she said to Ikher with a wink.
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The Lunch crowd had filtered out, and it was only a few stragglers plus the regulars at the Corner Pitch. Billie was discussing a player’s suspension from a weekend match with Eric and Ikher. She turned when the bell rung and her heart fluttered. Katrina walked in with a smile, waving a thick manilla envelope.
“See what happens when you get me everything on time?” she said, slapping the envelope on the counter in front of Eric.
He opened it and flipped through a few pages before his face wrinkled. “I owe?”
Katrina sighed, her head falling to the side. “We talked about this. The business would take the hit so your personal wouldn’t be as bad. Come,” she said, waving him toward the back. “Let’s talk in your office.”
Billie let out her trademark lust filled sigh, watching Katrina disappear into the back. Ikher chuckled and bounced a fry off her head. She squinted at him before going to refill someone’s drink and take another food order. When Ikher’s attention focused on a match and his burger, Billie slid next to him.
“You and Sun, huh?” she whispered. Ikher froze mid chew and his eyes shifted to look at her. “So, how’s my sloppy seconds?”
“Dood!” Ikher said, mouth full. After he finished and swallowed, he said, “That’s not nice.”
Billie laughed. “You know I’m joking.”
“Did Eric tell you?”
Billie grinned in reply before walking back behind the bar. “Not Eric. Someone’s impressed with your performance.”
Ikher’s face flushed red and Billie couldn’t stifle a laugh in time. She grabbed his glass and refilled his tea.
“Besides, I’m glad you two are having fun. We didn’t really work out since we’re both tops.”
Ikher thought for a second. “Yeah, she’s pretty forward.”
Billie punched him in the arm. “Thought you didn’t talk about this stuff?”
“Not like, details. That stuff’s private.”
“You’re adorable.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Billie sighed again as Katrina and Eric came out from the back. Eric stopped next to Billie and Katrina retrieved her purse from the end of the bar.
“Thanks again,” Eric said. “For everything.”
“Of course,” Katrina nodded. “Ikher, you mailed your things in?” He nodded. “Abigail?”
“I sent everything off ages ago,” Billie said, before smiling. “Though, I wouldn’t be opposed to another one-on-one meeting, so we can go over everything one more time.”
Katrina laughed and squinted at her before turning back to Eric. “You see how easy this was?”
“Yes ma’am. Lesson learned.”
“Til next year,” Billie said, eliciting a laugh from Ikher and a ‘you better not’ look from Katrina.
The bell rung and Billie turned to welcome the newcomer, but she froze as her jaw fell to the floor.
“Mother of god.”
Standing in the door was an almost exact, albeit younger, version of Katrina. They shared the same large expressive eyes, the same medium brown skin, and the same hourglass figure.
Their hair was the same shade of dark auburn, Katrina’s pulled back with a band, the newcomer’s in a long ponytail that laid on her shoulder. She dressed far more casually than her mother in a distressed t-shirt with a broken heart across the chest and tight jeans.
“Wait, what...” Ikher said, looking back and forth between Katrina and her clone.
“What’s taking you so long?” the younger version asked. Even her voice was similar.
Katrina’s jaw tightened as her eyes narrowed. “Get in the car. I’ll be done in a moment.”
“You’re supposed to be done ten minutes ago. I have somewhere to be.”
“Me estás avergonzando frente a un cliente,” Katrina said, before jabbing her finger toward the door. “Sómete al maldito auto”.
”No, me voy sin ti. Vamos a llegar tarde gracias a ti”.
Katrina walked toward her younger self, eyes blazing. The younger version matched her, meeting her at the end of the bar, where they continued to argue in Spanish.
The more they argued and jabbed finders at each other, the more Ikher shrunk on his bar stool. Billie’s stunned gaze went back and forth between them. Eric slid down, hoping to foster some peace, but he just stood there, unable to find an opening in the rapid back and forth.
“Fine! I’ll just take the damn bus and be late,” the younger woman said, throwing her hands up and storming out.
“Just wait in the car!!” Katrina yelled before straightening her cardigan and taking a deep breath.
She turned around to a bar full of stunned people: Eric looking very shell shocked, Ikher looking like he wanted to hide, Billie standing there jaw agape, and the rest of the patrons frozen, uncertain what to do. Katrina squeezed the cross on her necklace.
After a moment, she exhaled and said, “I’m very sorry, everyone. My daughter can be a handful.”
“What the fuck?” Billie, staring at the door, whispered louder than she realized. “There’s two of you.”
Katrina scowled at the door, then nodded. “Yes. Dahlia’s my copy, right down to being stubborn. I should go before I have to chase her in the car. I’ll see you all later.”
They watched her leave before looking at each other.
“Wow, that was… something,” Eric said, before looking at Ikher. “Was it like that in your house growing up?”
“No way. My dad was super laid back. Mom never yelled. She had ‘The Look’ she’d give us when she was upset. We knew better after--”
“Please, Lesbian Jesus! Please!!!” Billie yelled, making the other two jump. She squeezed her interlocked hands together above her head. “I don’t ask for much, but please, please, please, let her be gay. You know what Lesbian Jesus, can you forward my request to Bi Jesus? I’ll take bi as a consolation prize. I have to drink from the Munoz fountain before I die!”
She ended her prayer with a deflated sigh and let her hands fall to the bar with a thunk. Eric, one eyebrow up, leaned on the bar next to her.
“Sooo...”
“Dude, don’t start,” Billie said, shaking her head at him. “You get to pick from both sides. It’s easy for you.”
“Both sides?” Ikher asked.
Billie pointed to Eric. “He’s bi. Or, as the rest of us like to call it, greedy.”
“I like options.” Eric shrugged before punching Billie in the arm. “I wasn’t going to make fun of you. I’m curious about Lesbian Jesus.”
“Yeah, is that a real thing?” Ikher asked.
Billie shrugged. “Real as any other Jesus.”
“So, there’s not one Jesus that answers everyone’s prayers?”
“Sorta. That’s Jewish Jesus. He covers a large spread, but if you need something specific, you gotta go to the source. Like, if you have foot problems. You don’t go to your regular doctor. You go to a foot doctor. I have lesbian lust, so I pray to Lesbian Jesus.”
Eric and Ikher looked at each other and then back at Billie.
“Hold on-”
“Okay, so-”
Billie held up her hand and went to ring someone out. After making a drink for someone else, she came back. “All right, form a line. Who’s first?”
Ikher raised his hand and Billie pointed to him.
“How many Jesus’es are there?”
“I dunno. I really only mess with Lesbian Jesus. I’d guess there’s one for whoever needs one.”
“Huh,” Ikher nodded.
Eric laughed and shook his head. “My mom’s picture of Black Jesus in her living room makes sense now.”
“You know,” Billie said, wagging a finger at him. “That’s probably Jewish Jesus. Most images of Jewish Jesus are White Jesus.”
“If Black Jesus is Jewish Jesus, who’s White Jesus?” Ikher asked, giving Billie a good belly laugh.
“That would be our home state favorite, Ronny Raygun. He answers capitalist and conservative prayers. Alzheimer’s prayers too. I mean, if he remembers to.”
“Yo!” Eric said, smacking her arm looking around. “You can’t say that.”
“Okay, so who’s Lesbian Jesus?” Ikher asked.
Billie did a double take, looking at him like he had three heads. “Dude, really? Who do you think it is?”
“Umm... I dunno. Ellen di Rossi?”
“Eww, no. Come on, you have a literary degree. Isn’t there a certain poet that comes to mind?” Ikher pursed his lips, thinking. When he took too long, Billie shook her head and said, “Dude! Sappho.”
“Oh, yeah. That does make sense. What about Bi Jesus?”
“I dunno. I only like women. Eric?”
Eric crossed his arms and leaned against the bar. “Hmmm, good question.”
Billie shook her head at him. “See, that’s his problem. He has too much to choose from. This’ll take him all day.”
“Actually, it won’t,” Eric said, snapping his fingers. “Bowie.”
“Ooh, that’s a good one.” Billie nodded.
“Do your prayers get answered?” Ikher asked, putting his chin in his hand.
Billie threw up her hands before wilting onto the bar. “No! If it worked like that, I’d be married to a brilliant, gorgeous woman living in a cute cottage by now.” She let her head fall into her arms. “I’m just getting my hopes up. She’s probably straighter than her mom. I always mix up my gaydar with my much more powerful pleasebegaydar.”
Eric laughed and patted her shoulder. “Don’t give up so soon. I think your odds are pretty good.”
Billie shot up and grabbed his shirt. “What do you know?”
He held his hands up. “Not much. Just that she’s mentioned having daughters. Twin daughters.”
Billie turned around, one hand on her chest, the other reaching for the bar for support. Her legs wobbled for a moment before she took a deep breath. “There’s… three of them?”
“Seems like your chances just got better,” Ikher said with a smile.
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Later that evening, Ikher was starting dinner when headlights through his window drew his attention. Peeking out the window, he caught Jerrica’s little frame walking toward his door.
“Hey, what’s up?” he asked as he opened it.
“I know I didn’t call, but can I get some off you quick?” she said in a huff.
“Yeah, sure,” Ikher said, closing the door and heading back to get a baggie.
“Thank you so much. Hey, can I ask you to roll it? You’re quicker than I am.”
“Yeah, no problem,” Ikher called from the back.
When he came out with a hastily prepared, but in his opinion still well made, blunt, Jerrica had the cash ready.
“Thank you so much, Ikher.”
“Yeah, no worries. Go easy on that. It’s more than you roll.”
“I will. Maybe. I’m gonna need it.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
She exhaled. “Yes. I’m just going to one of my husband’s fundraiser meet and greet things.”
“I thought you hated those.”
“I do. But I...” she stopped and glanced at him before shaking her head. “I just have to go to this one. Thank you for this. I’m sorry for just stopping by,” she said as she opened his door.
“It’s all good,” he said, following her out. “I hope it doesn’t suck too much.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Ikher.”
As she left, he noticed Janine standing in her driveway, shaking her head.
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Janine parked, jumped out, and ran in, dropping off her groceries. Heading back out, she noticed a large black SUV parked in front of Ikher’s. A shiver went down her spine when she saw the government plates.
Shit. Had Ikher been made? No, she’d have been given a heads up. She exhaled, shoulders dropping, when Jerrica Logan came out and drove away. This fucking guy. One girl in the morning and another in the evening. He waved as she started over.
“Boy, look at you. Living the life,” she called to him.
He shook his head, squinting at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Your ‘friend’ this morning and now the Senator’s wife. You’re getting it in!” she said, poking him in the chest.
Ikher squinted at her, but then looked around and whispered, “Jerrica buys from me.”
She burst out laughing and said, “Buys some of that sweet ass? If you’re hooking, does that make me your pimp, or are you freelancing it?”
Ikher’s eyebrows dropped, and he shook his head as she caught her breath.
“You know I’m messing with you,” she continued. “I’m glad you are getting some again. You don’t worry as much when you do.”
“Thanks?”
“Anytime,” she winked at him before nodding back toward her van. “Go shower, sex machine. I’ve gotta grab Ainsley.”
“We didn’t have sex,” he called after her.
“Sure thing,” Janine said, giving him a thumbs up as she got in her van and pulled out of the driveway.