I crouch on the bed tightening the old quilt around my body. It’s cold. It’s fucking cold and it’s raining. To make the matters worse, my roof is leaking and part of my bed is filled with water.
I can’t sleep anymore. I turn on the bed and a cold pierces my whole body.
Damn!
How did I get here?
How did I sign up for this?
Why all this?
No good meals apart from when there are leftovers at the club I work at. That is when I’m on shift. I started working recently so I’m yet to make enough money to look for a decent place and meal.
This life sucks.
My whole life sucks and if there is one person I’m blaming for this is my dad. He is now in my past but the dark moments keep coming back to me.
I don’t know where he is. I haven’t set my eyes on him for the past fourteen years. To be precise, I haven’t seen him since that day in our collapsing house. Since that day he stabbed momma.
I don’t want to go there. It makes me nostalgic so I will focus on the present.
I fumble with my phone and snout in despair when it falls on the floor. I reach for the switch and turn the lights on.
My phone is on the watery floor but the funny thing is that it is working. I lie back on the bed and as if on cue, it vibrates in my hand.
It is Sera. She is my colleague and I wonder why she is calling me so I tap the button and press it on my ear.
“Yes Sera.”
“Hey Frankie? Did I wake you up?”
“No. I was already awake. Is everything okay?”
“Not really. Needed a favour from you.”
“Name it.”
“I’m doing the morning shift and something came up. Can you cover for me will do it for you in the evening?”
“Yeah. Sure. I can.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime. Bye.” I hang up and cover my face with frustration.
My day can’t get any worse. Can it now?
Here is the deal. I have learnt some things since I started working at Lex a few days ago.
Night shifts are the deal. They come with many tips unlike day shifts which are dry but can I say no to Sera?
Nope. She helped me get the job. She is the one I’m close to. I have no friends. I have no family so I can’t afford to mess with the only friend I have.
I get out of bed and take a bucket of water hoping there is no one in the common bathroom. It’s my lucky day so I step in and take a quick shower.
Back in the house, I settle for some loose, blue-faded jeans, a black crop-top, a grey hoodie and the only black pair of canvas I have.
I look like a tomboy. My hair is in a mess so I grab a cap and wear it. I look at myself in the small mirror and nod with satisfaction.
Yeah!
That will do. Let them continue calling me a tomboy. I don’t care. They don’t know what I have been through to get to where I am. They don’t know how tough life in the streets was especially for a small girl with no one to protect her.
It toughened me but before it did I had to behave like the boys there to survive. That’s why you would always find me in a group of boys, dressed like them, in the shanty clothes we could afford.
Well, that is Frankie for you. My street name which I use to date and I like it.
Frankie Thomas.
It’s sweet. It sounds tomboyish and I’m sticking with it forever.
I hurl a comb for my unruly hair, a novel, a pack of condoms and a joint wrapped in a tissue into my old backpack and leave the house.
Did I say a pack of condoms?
Yes. You heard that right.
I’m human too. I may be a tomboy but I have feelings and need to get laid once in a while.
A joint?
Yeah. With my problems one needs such. I got introduced to it at a young age and I don’t think it’s going to change any soon. It helps me relax. It helps me forget about my problems and be like a normal human being and it’s part of what never misses in my backpack.
A novel?
I’m a fan of novels. Any genre can do it for me especially now that I’m reading Moby Dicks and can’t let it go.
A comb?
I sometimes remove my cap and comb my hair backwards to prove the haters wrong but it doesn’t solve much. I’m still the same tomboy.
It’s a distance. I normally take the bus but instead, I opt to walk and save whatever little I have. It will be for the next investigative book.
I step into Lex club and immediately all eyes are on me. I’m used to that. Don’t know whether they don’t see tomboys that often but it’s something that is never going to bring me down.
“Frankie.” The bartender greets fisting my shoulder playfully.
“What’s up dude?”
“You are never going to change that look. Are you?” he laughs pouring a double shot for a customer.
“Never going to work. Let me get some apron and get to work.” I punch him playfully and disappear into the changing room. I take my apron from the hooks and put it on.
“Good morning Frankie?” I turn to see my manager leaning against the door.
“Good morning too sir.”
“Sera told me you are covering her shift.”
“Yes sir.”
“Great but need to talk to you about something first.”
“I’m listening.”
“You are a barmaid and you should be dressed like one. This tomboy look is so unappealing even to our customers.”
I knew this would be brought up soon. The other barmaids dress in an appealing manner. You should see how Sera looks in her mini dresses and skirts.
“I don’t get it sir.”
“Look for something appealing. Something that will attract those male customers and you can get huge tips. Follow Sera's example.”
“Noted sir. Maybe when I get my salary I can get some.”
“Great. Because you are so good at your job and we don’t want to lose you.”
“I understand sir.”
“You can get to work.” He says and walks out leaving me reeling with anger.
Change my tomboy look?
Wait.
As in Frankie, Frankie Thomas to change her Tomboy look?
I look good. I know I do. It’s a hideous look but I know I’m beautiful.
Wait.
Beautiful?
I walk to the mirror and look at myself.
Yes. I’m beautiful. I like this look so changing it will be a bit tough. The good thing is that I’m sticking to this look for now. End month is a bit far and I can comfortably rock in my loose jeans and the only pair of canvas I have till then.
I straighten the apron and walk back to the bartender.
“Talked to the manager?” that’s the bartender.
“Yes Tim. He doesn’t like my outfit.”
“True that. I don’t like it too. You look like you bang girls.” He says laughing.
“And is there a problem with that? Love is for everyone. I’m straight though. ” he is so annoying.
“Prove it?”
“I have proven it with the customers.”
“Prove it with me.”
“Go to hell! You are never getting into these loose pants.” I glare at him making him laugh.
“Look at that.”
I follow his gaze to a young man who has walked in. He looks unkempt and confused. I look at Tim and shrug.
“Wanna try that?” he asks with a grin.
“Definitely.” I give him one last glare and walk to the customer who is now seated at the farthest end of the club, crouched in a corner.
I sit directly opposite him and see him shivering. His head is bowed down so that I can't see his face. Looking at his hand, there is a deep cut which is filled with dried blood. His hands look dirty and so do his clothes. His hair is unkempt as if he was planning on doing dreadlocks.He looks like he is in distress. Having come from the streets, I know how it is to be in such a situation.“Hey.” This is just to start our conversation.“Hey.” He doesn’t look up but there is something warm with his voice. Something that sounds familiar. Something that makes me want to talk to him the whole day. Reach out to him and probably help him. No matter how broke I’m, I can try to help him.“Need anything?”“A glass of water please.” He still doesn’t look at me. I don’t know whether I'm being paranoid or he just sounds familiar.“Anything else?”“No.”“Bringing your water.” I give him one last look and walk to the counter. If he doesn’t buy anything, they will have him thrown out and it’s not wh
Stone is nowhere to be seen when I wake up. I groan in frustration and slump on the bed again. It’s so hard to help him and I’m done doing that. I just met him today so I don’t understand why I’m inclined to help him.I reach for my backpack and take out my 'Moby Dick.’ This is what is supposed to keep me busy until in the evening. I’m doing night shift today.Fuck!I can’t concentrate. I keep thinking about Stone and whether he is safe. What is he up to out there? Where is he? I thought we agreed he should stay at my place and I will help him get a job?I toss the novel into the backpack and decide to take a shower. Maybe I should head for Lex early today. I might bump into him. I might make extra money too.I settle for baggy blue rugged jeans and a white T-shirt. The pair of canvas doesn’t change because it’s the only one I have. I toss a joint into the backpack and leave the house. I decide to walk. Maybe I will bump into him somewhere in the streets.He reminds me of Jim. That’s
“I'm not a whore.” I snort glaring at him.“No one said you are.”“Paying me for sex insinuates that.”“Just wanna feel how a tomboy tastes like.”“If you don’t need anything else, I will leave.” He is starting to irritate me.“I need something else tomboy.”“I’m Frankie sir. It’s on my tag.” I say showing him the name tag.“I know. I can see that.” Some nerve he has.“Good.” I turn to leave.“Not done asking for what I need.”“What!” I snap turning to look at him. I shouldn’t be rude at the customers but this one is really getting on my nerves. I’m trying to be nice to him.Yeah. This is me being nice. When I decide to explode I will be fired so I rather play it cool.“No way to talk to customers. I want you tomboy. Just one round and we will be done.”“I’m not doing that.” I turn to leave again.“Bring me water.” I shut my eyes trying not to snap at him. I open them, calm this time round and give him a smile.“Right away.”I walk to the counter and take a sharp breathe. He is so e
Frankie.” Sera is still calling after me.”“Stay here.” I tell her and run after Stone who is really fast. I feel the need to protect him so I won’t let the mob hurt him.“What the hell Stone?” I shout after him.“Fuck! Just go away.” He shouts still running. I’m now closing in on him.“No way.” I grab his hand when I catch up with him. “Follow me.” I run towards an abandoned alley with him trailing behind me.“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ask once I’m sure no one is following us.“Needed some cash tomboy. The lady was careless with her phone and I had to take it.”We are now leaning against the wall, breathing fast.“So you are going to sell it?”“Yap. That’s what we do.” He says and looks at the distant.“You need to stop this.”“You ain’t my momma.” He snaps.“I have saved your ass you fucker. You should be grateful.” I snap back at him.“Thank you but I don’t need you to take care of me.”“You do.” I take my cap off and hand it to him. “Here. You will be less noticeable.”“
He gives me a kiss and pulls out, lying next to me. He pulls me to him and kisses my hair, something that comes as a surprise. I didn’t expect it.“So tomboy, tell me about yourself.”“I'm not telling you anything.”“You don’t want to or you have nothing to say.”“Both options apply. I don’t know your name so you are not supposed to know anything about me.” I unwrap myself from him and walk to the bathroom to freshen up.“You can’t know my name.” He shouts from the bed.“You can’t know about me either .” I shout back trying to straighten my hair. Damn! It’s hard and doesn’t work. I groan and walk back to the room. His eyes don’t leave mine as I dig out a comb from my backpack.“You amaze me.”“Do I now?”“Very. You have nice hair and a very nice body. Why do you cover it with a cap? Why do you cover your body with these baggy jeans ?” he asks gesturing at my clothes.“Because I want to. Because it’s what satisfies me.” I answer not daring to look at him.“You are one hell of a myst
“Jim?” I widen my eyes moving closer to him.“I’m not Jim. I told you I’m Stone.” He opens his eyes and they are soft, looking at me with confusion written all over them.“You are Jim. You called the name Isa.”“It’s a random name.”“We both know that’s a lie.”“And you are Frankie not Isa.”“My real name is Isa and you are my brother.”“Fuck Isa.” He groans shutting his eyes again.“See? You called me Isa again .”“Yeah.”“Why did you hide that you are Jim from me?”“Because this,” he looks around pointing at himself and the bed. “Is what I don’t want. I don’t want you to take care of me Isa. That’s what you are doing.”“Yeah. Because I want to. No one is forcing me to.” I move closer and take his hands in mine.“When I saw you at Lex, the urge to help you overcrowded me. There was that sudden feeling I got and compared you to Jim. I will help you Jim. My place is small but I’m waiting for another job and we will move to a better place.”“I should be the one doing that Isa. I’m the
I raise my brows at her.“What’s this?” I ask raising the piece of paper.“Was told to give it to you my some gentle man.” “Whom?” I ask looking around. There is no sign of the weirdo so I wonder who it is.Of course I do. He must be hiding somewhere. Otherwise, no one else knows me in this hotel.“He left. I will leave.” She smiles and walks away.“Having secret admirers here?” Sera asks with a grin.“Oh please Sera! With this tomboy look? You think anyone would fall for this?” I chuckle pointing at myself.“Yes. You are so beautiful. You just need to lose the tomboy look and every man will go crazy.”“It’s never going to happen Sera. I love my look so cut it.”“If you say so.” She shrugs. “I don’t mind giving you a make over though.”“I said you should cut it.” I snap at her making her laugh.“Okay. Open it or you will never know who sent that.” She urges me on.“Cool.” I open the paper and catch a whiff of some cologne. It’s a sweet scent and I’m sure it’s some expensive shit.“M
Sera walks to me and props her elbows on the bar counter, giving me a suspicious look. Tim sees it and moves closer.“What?” I ask her rolling my eyes. Can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s like her. She is used to that and hanging out with her makes me do that I guess. Something I shouldn’t be doing. As I said, it’s for the divas like her.“What’s going on?”“With what? Told you we will talk.”“Not that and don’t bullshit me bitch. What’s up with the guy at Trust?”“He is a guy I know from somewhere.”“Doesn’t feel like so. Have you two banged?” “Tomboy got smashed?” Tim grins propping his elbows on the counter.“Just shut up Tim. This is a girl’s talk.”“Frankie shouldn’t be counted as a girl. She is a tomboy. Where is your cap by the way? Must admit you look good this way. You have great hair.”“Just fuck off Tim! If you don’t want me to wring your neck just fuck off!” I snap and look at Sera. “Nothing happened.”“Really? Because he is here and he can’t get his eyes off you. You shou