Kiss of Noir by Clara Nipper

his briefcase in tow. He locked the shop and started the car. He couldn’t lecture me because I laughed all the way home.

Chapter Eleven
     
    The sun was sharp and pointy, cutting the skin and blinding the eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to go outside.
    The bell above the door rang. Johnny came in, accompanied by a tall, thin, swivelly woman with brown sugar bed hair. I thought at first glance that she was a pretty young man, but then recognized the hips and jawline as female. I ran a hand over my stubbly skull and smelled my breath. I regretted getting so comfortable and therefore lazy with my grooming, just as Sayan had feared. I straightened my collar and tucked in my shirt. No one else was even paying attention to the visitors.
    “Nora, what’s your name?” Johnny asked.
    “Delaney. Nora Delaney.” I puffed up, trying to loom large. “Of LA,” I added and held out my hand.
    The butch smiled sourly and clamped her hand onto mine. “Payne Phillips of Bayou La Belle D’eau.”
    “Pain, you say?” I asked with emphasis.
    Payne spelled her first name. “Old family tradition. It’s my mother’s maiden.”
    “Well, that is darling,” I said. “Here, let me offer you my chair.”
    “No, thanks, I’ll sit here.” Payne boosted herself onto the counter.
    “Yeah, everyone? This is my bud from the old neighborhood, Payne Phillips. Payne, you’ve met Nora, this is Cleo Sweetleaf and Drew Ekalibato,” Johnny said.
    “I’m of New Orleans and he’s of Haiti,” Cleo said.
    “Pleased to meet you all.” Payne followed her statement with a dazzling smile.
    Cleo grunted and Drew shook her hand.
    “What are you talking about, old neighborhood, Johnny? You live in your mama’s house just down the street. You ain’t moved a foot since you was born. Good thing she passed and left you a place to live, eh?” Cleo said.
    “I live here because I like it. I could live anywhere I please,” Johnny said.
    “Can I get the little lady something to drink?” I asked.
    Payne burst into laughter. “Are you talking about me? Miss Delaney, you can relax. Johnny brought me in because he thought we could be friends. I’m not gonna step on any toes. Come on now.”
    “Sure thing,” I said. I looked into Payne’s eyes and they were sweet around the edges and smoldering in the centers. “Let me get you that drink. Would you like some strawberry milk? Or a fruit soda?”
    Payne scowled. “I’ll take whatever you’re drinking.”
    “Say, say, me too,” Johnny added.
    “Get it yourself,” I called from the back. I brought Payne a beer. “Here, let me open it for you.”
    “Give me that.” Payne grabbed the bottle, snapped off the cap, and flung it at the trash. It went in pretty as you please. Payne smiled and drank.
    “I like a peaceful pawn. Don’t you two go turning this place into a harem,” Cleo said.
    “I won’t if she won’t.” Payne grinned and lit up the room. I rolled my eyes.
    “You know dominoes, Payne?” Drew asked. Johnny had gotten himself a beer and sat on a speaker. Cleo, rolling a cigarette, stopped to listen. I leaned against the counter, my arms locked across my chest, wishing I had better shoes and a fresh shirt.
    “Sure I do! I grew up around here, didn’t I? What do you play?”
    “St. Mary’s,” Cleo answered.
    “Do you know Memphis Twist or Ragtime?” Payne asked, leaning forward in eagerness.
    “Sure.” Cleo smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling. “Do you know Crown Jewels or Midnight Special?”
    “I know Crown Jewels,” Payne replied. “What do you want to play?”
    “Well, these here,” Cleo indicated Drew and Johnny and me, “only know what I’ve taught them, and that’s St. Mary’s.”
    “Fine with me. What’s the pot?” Payne asked, rubbing the faded, aged dominoes with reverence. They were soft and blurry with use.
    “Nothing. But sometimes Little John buys us lunch.”
    “Mmm-hmm, some good shit too, huh, my man?” Drew said.
    Johnny sipped his beer.