He put on his high heels after he arrived, buckling the ankle straps in his truck. The front porchlight off, like before, the street mostly dark, with some lights on at other houses, movement behind windows.<\/p>\n
After tugging up his thigh-highs one last time, adjusting his padded bra, and checking his lipstick, he took out his phone and texted. Here<\/em><\/p>\n The reply came. Come on in baby<\/em><\/p>\n He put his keys and phone in his purse, opened his door and stepped out, wobbling a little. He\u2019d parked one house away, and walked the pavement to the driveway, pulling his skirt down and smoothing it. The air cool. Overcast. City light reflecting orange on the stratus cloud layer.<\/p>\n A car turned onto the street a block away, passing as he reached the porch. He looked away, tensing. The car kept going.<\/p>\n He opened the door without knocking and stepped inside, locking it behind him. The home dark except for the glow of a tv in the living room straight ahead. Garlic smell from the kitchen.<\/p>\n He made his voice higher. \u2014Hey Daddy.<\/p>\n The man\u2019s voice came from the living room. \u2014Brittney. Come on in, baby.<\/p>\n He walked into the living room. The man was seated on one end of the couch, half empty bottle of Budweiser and a pipe on the end table. Dark jeans and a grey t-shirt, barefoot, phone in left hand, glow lighting his face. The man smiled at him. \u2014Hey baby. Turn around, Brittney. Let Daddy see you again.<\/p>\n He put his purse on a chair and walked a little closer, lifting his hands behind his head and turning around.<\/p>\n \u2014Bend over.<\/p>\n He put his hands on his knees, bending his legs slightly.<\/p>\n \u2014I do like that white ass. Remember what I said last time?<\/p>\n \u2014Yes Daddy.<\/p>\n \u2014Come over here.<\/p>\n He walked closer and knelt in front of the man. On the tv two white women in pantyhose were kissing on a bed, rubbing their legs together. The sound on low, their sighs soft.<\/p>\n The man put his phone on the end table and grabbed the pipe and a lighter, looking at him. \u2014You want some?<\/p>\n \u2014No thanks, Daddy. I\u2019d just get unmotivated.<\/p>\n The man smiled. \u2014Ok Brittney. We don\u2019t want that.<\/p>\n The man hit the lighter and put the pipe to his lips, leaning forward, holding his left thumb on the side hole and inhaling, pulling the flame into the pipe. He took a short breath, holding it in, spreading his legs.<\/p>\n He moved closer into the man, on his knees. The man\u2019s phone lit up and buzzed. The man exhaled and picked up the phone, looking at the number. \u2014Shit. Hold on. Let me get this.<\/p>\n He knelt back, the high-heel straps digging into his ankles.<\/p>\n The man touched the phone screen, leaning back. \u2014Yo sis, what\u2019s up?<\/p>\n The man immediately sat back up. \u2014What? Now? Shit.<\/p>\n The man looked at him, still speaking into the phone. \u2014Yeah. I\u2019ll be right over.<\/p>\n The man put his phone down and looked at him again. \u2014Look, can I ask you a favor? I need a ride.<\/p>\n \u2014Now?<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah. I know that\u2019s not what you expected, but one of my boys has my car and the other one\u2019s at his mom\u2019s down in Salem. I wasn\u2019t expecting to go anywhere but… I need to get to my sister\u2019s. It\u2019s not far.<\/p>\n \u2014Um, ok. Sure.<\/p>\n The man stood and walked around him to the closet for a jacket, slipping on shoes.<\/p>\n He stood up using the couch, grabbing his purse and keys. The man held the door open and he walked out on the porch, checking up and down the street. \u2014Do you want me to go first?<\/p>\n \u2014Why?<\/p>\n \u2014So people won\u2019t see you with me?<\/p>\n The man waved a hand in the dark towards the neighborhood. \u2014Nah. We\u2019re not doing anything.<\/p>\n They walked to his truck and he unlocked the passenger side door and held it open for the man, who grinned at him. \u2014I didn\u2019t know you drove a truck. Doesn\u2019t seem like you.<\/p>\n \u2014Lots of women drive trucks.<\/p>\n \u2014Not the sissy kind.<\/p>\n \u2014Well, I mean, I don\u2019t do this all the time.<\/p>\n He walked around to the driver side and got in, having trouble working the clutch and gas with the heels.<\/p>\n \u2014Head up 82nd. You know where the Monticello neighborhood is?<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah I\u2019ve been there.<\/p>\n \u2014Go up to that main street with all the stores and take a left.<\/p>\n \u2014Ok.<\/p>\n The man looked out the side window at the passing stores and cars in the right lane. Heavy traffic. They stopped at a red light and cars pulled up on both sides. He stared straight ahead. The light turned green and he drove. \u2014Can I ask you a question? Um, sir?<\/p>\n The man waved his hand again. \u2014You don\u2019t have to say that shit now.<\/p>\n \u2014What\u2019s your real name?<\/p>\n The man laughed. \u2014Isaiah. Like from the Bible.<\/p>\n He nodded. \u2014I know. Vox clamante in deserto.<\/p>\n \u2014What\u2019s that?<\/p>\n \u2014Latin. A voice crying out in the wilderness.<\/p>\n \u2014Oh yeah. I always liked that line.<\/p>\n \u2014Me too.<\/p>\n \u2014So what\u2019s your real name, Brittney?<\/p>\n \u2014Um, Brian.<\/p>\n \u2014Brian. Brittney. Ok.<\/p>\n He turned left and looked at Isaiah. \u2014So what\u2019s going on?<\/p>\n \u2014Little brother\u2019s there. We haven\u2019t seen him in a year. He can get a little out of control. I need to calm him down. Turn right and go down a block. It\u2019s that white house on the right. That\u2019s his Escort in the driveway. Pull up by the curb.<\/p>\n He did, putting the truck in neutral and pulling the emergency brake. Turning off the lights.<\/p>\n The man got out and looked back at him. \u2014You don\u2019t have to stay. Not sure how long this will be.<\/p>\n \u2014Oh. Ok. Well, I might hang out a little and change then.<\/p>\n \u2014Ok Brittney. Or, Brian. Sorry about this.<\/p>\n \u2014No worries.<\/p>\n He watched Isaiah cross the grass lawn, blocking the porch light briefly, going through the front door. He turned off the truck and checked the street: No traffic or movement. He reached down and unbuckled the shoes, pulling them off and massaging his nylonned feet.<\/p>\n He put the shoes in the back of the cab and reached for his \u2018emergency bag,\u2019 setting it in the passenger seat. He pulled out a grey hoodie and pulled it on, zipping it up.<\/p>\n He pulled up his skirt a little and pulled down his stockings, rolling them off and putting them into the bag. He pulled out sweat pants and got them over his feet with some bending and stretching. He checked the street again. No one. He opened the door and stepped out, standing and quickly pulling the pants up.<\/p>\n From out of the bag he pulled a pair of moccasins, dropping them on the pavement and stepping into them.<\/p>\n The house front door slammed open and a man ran out, followed by Isaiah. The first man held a gun in his left hand, pointed in the air.<\/p>\n \u2014Oh shit!<\/p>\n He dove back in his truck and shut the door, locking it. He leaned over and locked the passenger door, then thought about it and unlocked it. He peered over the dashboard.<\/p>\n The two men faced each other in the grass, the one waving the gun and Isaiah holding up his hands. \u2014Zeke man, be cool! It\u2019s alright! Ain\u2019t no one gonna hurt you!<\/p>\n A woman appeared in the doorway. \u2014Isaiah! Run!<\/p>\n Zeke pointed the gun at Isaiah. \u2014You\u2019re not taking me again!<\/p>\n Isaiah remained still. \u2014I don\u2019t want to, brother. I just need to know you\u2019re not going to hurt Tanisha or our nieces.<\/p>\n \u2014Why does everyone think I\u2019m gonna hurt them?! I ain\u2019t hurt nobody!<\/p>\n \u2014I know, brother, but you\u2019re scaring people with that gun. I love you, you know that. And so does Tanisha. But please don\u2019t scare her.<\/p>\n Zeke lowered the gun and covered his face with his right hand. \u2014I just wanted some money. I just need some money.<\/p>\n \u2014I know, brother. Why don\u2019t you give me that gun? We\u2019ll talk about it.<\/p>\n \u2014No!<\/p>\n Zeke turned and ran to his car, hopping in. Isaiah walked over to the passenger door and looked in. \u2014Zeke, brother. Just stay.<\/p>\n But Zeke started the car, backed out, almost hitting the truck, squealing away down the street.<\/p>\n He let out his breath, looking around. A couple porch lights had come on, with some people looking out of doors and windows.<\/p>\n Isaiah walked over. He rolled down the passenger window. \u2014Are you ok?!<\/p>\n Isaiah nodded. \u2014I\u2019m cool. We cool. Everybody\u2019s cool.<\/p>\n \u2014Are we going after him?<\/p>\n Isaiah shook his head. \u2014No. Hell no. I wouldn\u2019t know where he\u2019s going anyways. I need to get out of here though, in case the cops come. Can you give me a ride back?<\/p>\n \u2014Sure. I mean, I don\u2019t want to be here when the cops come either.<\/p>\n \u2014Let me just say something to my sister. If they come, just take off. Not fast. Just go.<\/p>\n \u2014I\u2019ll wait.<\/p>\n \u2014Thank you, Brittney. Or, Brian.<\/p>\n Isaiah walked back to the house, opening the door and hugging his sister. They went inside.<\/p>\n He moved the bag in back, started the truck and checked the rearview mirror. The people looking from other houses had shut their shades and doors. Just another night in Portland.<\/p>\n Isaiah came back out and got in the truck. \u2014Ok, let\u2019s go. I\u2019m so sorry about this. Not what I was expecting.<\/p>\n He pulled away from the curve, going up to the first street and taking a right, and another right, circling back to the main street. \u2014Has he done this before?<\/p>\n \u2014I mean, a while back. But I thought he was on his meds and fine. Or, I mean, I haven\u2019t seen him in a year. Then bam, he just shows up. If he\u2019s asking for money, things can\u2019t be good.<\/p>\n He turned the truck right, back onto 82nd, heading back south. \u2014Is he…what\u2019s wrong with him?<\/p>\n \u2014He\u2019s bi-polar. Maybe more. And I\u2019m just… scared he\u2019s gonna end up… shot… and dead sometime. Somewhere.<\/p>\n Isaiah bent over and put his face in his hands, sobbing.<\/p>\n He hesitated, then put his right hand on Isaiah\u2019s shoulder. \u2014Hey. It\u2019s ok. You did good. You\u2019re a good brother. You protected your sister.<\/p>\n He pulled his hand away as Isaiah sat up, wiping his face on his sleeves. \u2014Sorry about that. You ever had a gun pulled on you?<\/p>\n \u2014Actually, yes.<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah?<\/p>\n \u2014I had this girlfriend, this is back in Michigan, and her friend got this new boyfriend, Joe, who was just a bad person. Like, beat her and stuff. He didn\u2019t like me and one time at a show, I was in a band, he pulled a gun on me in the parking lot.<\/p>\n \u2014What\u2019d you do?<\/p>\n \u2014I froze. The girls talked him down. I\u2019m amazed you stayed so calm and could even talk to him.<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah, well, not my first time. He\u2019s my brother though, so I was hoping that would count for something, even in that haze of his. But he just vanishes and appears. I want to help him, but he don\u2019t want the help when he gets like this. I mean, there\u2019s a reason he didn\u2019t come to my house.<\/p>\n \u2014That would have been really weird.<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah, I guess so. Not like this has been normal, though.<\/p>\n They both laughed.<\/p>\n \u2014Can I ask you another question?<\/p>\n \u2014Sure, man.<\/p>\n \u2014What do you do? What\u2019s your job?<\/p>\n Isaiah smiled. \u2014I\u2019m the principal at Wilson High School.<\/p>\n \u2014Oh. Wow.<\/p>\n \u2014What do you do, Brittney?<\/p>\n \u2014I teach at Portland Community College.<\/p>\n \u2014No shit? What do you teach?<\/p>\n \u2014History.<\/p>\n \u2014No shit.<\/p>\n \u2014So you\u2019re divorced?<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah. My boys live with me.<\/p>\n \u2014You know, I wondered if they were like roommates or something. I could tell there were some other guys living there, but no women.<\/p>\n Isaiah laughed. \u2014Nah.<\/p>\n They reached Isaiah\u2019s house and he pulled into the driveway and put the truck in neutral, pulling the parking brake. \u2014We made it.<\/p>\n Isaiah held out his right hand. \u2014Hey man, thank you so much. Again, I did not mean to put you in danger like that.<\/p>\n He smiled. \u2014I guess I don\u2019t mind. It was at least interesting.<\/p>\n They shook hands.<\/p>\n Isaiah opened the door and got out, turning back to face him. \u2014Not the night either of us expected.<\/p>\n \u2014Yeah. No.<\/p>\n \u2014Alright, man. I\u2019ll see you.<\/p>\n \u2014I hope your brother\u2019s ok.<\/p>\n Isaiah pressed his lips together. \u2014Thanks, my man. I appreciate it. We\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n Isaiah closed the door and walked to the house, letting himself in and giving a last wave.<\/p>\n He sat there, staring at the front door. Then he popped the brake and put the truck in reverse, easing out onto the street.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brian walked into the living room. The man was seated on one end of the couch, half empty bottle of Budweiser and a pipe on the end table. Dark jeans and a grey t-shirt, barefoot, phone in left hand, glow lighting his face. The man smiled at him. Hey baby. Turn around, Brittney. Let Daddy see you again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":182,"featured_media":20876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fiction","writer-john-yohe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/182"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20370"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20877,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20370\/revisions\/20877"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mrbullbull.com\/newbull\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}