Some Things Never Change

“Wow, that’s just too good to be true.”

“I know right, me and the other girls are going so you know you’ve got to be there. You can stay by my place tonight. We gonna bleach, party hearty all night and just have a fabulous time. There is a hookah party going on tonight and we ain’t gonna miss that.

“Girl, I’m tired I’ve been working all day. I’ll just stay in until you guys get back I’m not much of partier, besides I ain’t got nothing to wear.”

“No way is that happening tonight, don’t be a party pooper. You and I are about the same size. I’ll hook you up with a sexy outfit, there will be no trolls in our group. We’ll be turning heads and emptying pockets.”

“Tammy you’re a real trip.”

“Stick with me hun, we’ll go places.”

Lou was all about going places. She wanted more out of life. To travel and see the whole world eventually. So she worked during the days and did night classes with an aim to earn a degree. All in a bid to earn that paper to buy the finer things in life. Lou was enrolled at the local humanities college where she pursued drama classes. She did it by credits and was always on and off because there never seemed enough money to finance her studies. There was no way she would quit. She had the resolve, this was her dream, her pursuit of happiness. Even if she never ever finished, at least no one can say she didn’t try. Lou had to get her priorities straight, she was the firstborn out of five siblings, and she felt driven to lead by example.

She had moved out of the family home first chance she got. Even though the apartment looked dingy on the outside Lou had transformed the place on the inside. This was her private space and she no longer had to worry about stuff going missing while she was at work. Not a spec of dirt to be seen anywhere and the décor was like a page out of a good housekeeping magazine.

None of the furniture was new, it was either bought at a thrift store or at a local yard sale. Lou had great taste and everything was neatly placed without any scratches or scoff marks to be seen by the naked eye. That’s how she was at work as well, always neat, prompt and willing to lend a helping hand. She always got employee of the month because of her generosity and spirit. She did her best to encourage others to want more out of life even when she herself felt like things were at a standstill.

 People gravitated to her because of her kind heart and willing to help spirit. Tammy was right, if she was chosen at the audition it could really change her life. Starting today she was going to take risks and live life more abundantly. She didn’t see the point of working herself to the bone to go home to an empty apartment.

In no time their shift was over. She and the girls stopped by a gas station to get some Smirnoff ice and condoms. They all lived by the motto better safe than sorry. While the girls were rotating the bathroom. She was knee deep in Tammy’s locker looking for something that covered her. Everything party related that Tammy had was all about exposure. She eventually settled on a green bandage dress that matched her hazel eyes and showed off her ass. There was nothing much she could do for her lack in the chest department except to make sure her nip*les weren’t visible.

The three ladies in the back seat chatted nonstop about nonsensical matters the entire ride to the venue. To think Lou walked passed this empty lot everyday on her way to work and never knew it could be transformed at night. It took Tammy forever to find a decent parking spot. She turned off the engine grabbed her keys and purse. In her buzz, Tammy was excited and ready to party while Lou got out of the car reluctantly. She felt uncomfortable with the clingy dress riding up her ass. There would be no bending over to pick up anything tonight. Tammy sensed her hesitancy so she grabbed her left hand and pulled Lou along with her to the club. No doubt in case Lou changed her mind, which she had contemplated doing several times on the way over. Tammy poked Lou then turned her attention to the cashier.

“Just chill, have fun and relax, it’s not that serious. You look like you are going to pass out any second!” she smirked.

 She then paid the cover charge for the group. The cashier could hardly be seen, just a hand reached out to collect the money through a small gaping window to the side of the building. Two hostesses placed bands on their hands and indicated which way for the ladies to walk. Lou turned and followed the others meekly and made her way towards the imposing entrance. She caught sight of eight thuggish looking men standing there by the entrance waiting for her to come closer. She felt like they were licking their chops as they observed the fresh meat. No doubt inspecting the quality and giving them individual grades.

Lou instantly recognized that insignia on their shirts it was the sign for the local gang the Dutty Bloodz. Of all the places, why did Tammy have to choose here to party? She had heard horror stories about police raiding their parties to look for contraband. These parties were wild and off the hook. People settled differences outside the parties with tales of fights and knifings.

“Relax Lou, nothing is going to happen.”

Tammy gave her a nudge to indicate that Lou should take that look of dismay off her face. Two of the men stepped away from the others to search them after pointing to a “no weapons allowed” sign. It was very brief search with the wave of a metal detector. Lou let out an audible sigh of relief. She had heard horror stories about guards copping a feel while searching and she wasn’t quite sure how she would react. If any of them squeezed her crotch or boobs in their search for concealed weapons.

“Hello Beautiful, haven’t seen you here before.” He was the fatter of the two that looked almost identical.

“Evening,” was all the slender one of the two said.