"Are you sure? You look like you need one." Alex's voice was concerned, solicitous. Renee felt foolish. She felt like crawling into his arms and sobbing like a baby. But she couldn't do it. What for? Nobody had even touched her. If she had any problems, they were all in her imagination.
|
"You're sure?" Alex sounded more concerned. "Yes ... no." Renee shook her head. "I don't know. Yes. Get me a beer, will you." "Of course." Alex waved to a waitress. "Dos cervezas," he said. "In the bottle, please, Alex." Renee shuddered at the thought of the waitress bringing her a glass with her nipple dangling in it. |
|
|
Alex nodded, added a phrase and turned back to Renee. "It would be better if you went home, you know. This is no place for you."
"I know. But ..." Renee looked across Alex at Fran. Her Mexican Casanova was gone for the moment. But her schoolteacher friend's ecstasy was reflected in her face as she watched the men probing at the whores' inviting crotches and breasts. "I can't leave Fran here. You understand, don't you, Alex?"
"Yes!" He nodded. "I still think you should get out of here."
"Don't be silly." Renee tried to laugh and at least didn't gag. "I'd never feel right about leaving you to suffer through all this by yourself. Particularly after I dragged you out of that nice, cozy bar."
"All right." He touched her knee gently and Renee didn't mind. It wasn't sexual. It was just comforting. "I'll look out for you until you're ready to go."
Chapter 4
Fran's friend was back and sitting on the end of the couch when the beers showed up. They were a brand Renee had never seen before---Double X---and in the long slender bottles the Mexicans seemed to favor. Alex paid for them and handed her one.
Renee realized that she hadn't gotten one for Fran. Looking over, she saw she already had a beer in her hand and was getting cozy with her friend. His hand was resting on the firm skin of Fran's thigh partly under her skirt.
Hastily, Renee looked away. There would be enough recriminations for this night without seeing something she didn't have to see.
She sipped on the white froth. Unconsciously, she compared the foam to the white juice that had escaped from the prostitute's mouth to dribble down her chin. The bitterness of the beer and the shock of the thought almost choked her. Hastily Renee gulped, clearing her mouth and throat of the fluid.