Bloodisthickerthansugar

PublishedbyJamesArawole

Copyright2015JamesArawole

SmashwordsEdition

Chapter1:Lovehasashotclock

Jakepalmedtheball;Jakepalmedtheballlikeanapepalmingacoconut.

Poundingtheballagainstthepavement,heranthelengthofthecourt.Thesun

glazedhisdarkskin;sweatglowedreflectivelywhiletricklingagainsthischest.

Threetofourdribblesbeforehefakedrightbeforegoingleft.Heblastedpastthe

defendereverytime.Predictable,butfewhadthekahunasbigenoughtostopit.

Onthenextplayhedashedrightpasthisdefender,plunderedinsidethelane,

gatheredhisfeethopsteppingintotheheavens.Withhishandscockedback

behindhisshoulderblades,feetbentbehindhisknees,hetomahawkedtheballinto

therim.Thesidelinesroaredwithpraise.Acombinationoffear,andexcitement

swarmedthroughtheonlookers.

Therecouldn’thavebeenabetterdayforapickupgame.Theskywasclear,the

windblewcoolair,themosquitoeswereoccupiedandifyoulookeddirectlyintothe

sunyoucouldseethebasketballgodssmilingdownontheblacktop.

MarcusWhitewastallbynormalmeasuresstanding6’1.Hisframewas

small,buthehadjustenoughmuscletobeconsideredanathlete.Marcusbrushed

hislowcutcaesarwiththepalmofhishandssmoothingoutthebaldspotaroundhis

temple.Unimpressedwithwhathehadseen,hesmirkedatJakeashewatchedhim

hangontherim.“Wegotnext,”hesaid,whilelacinghissneakers.Heworethe

universalstreetballuniform:Namebrandsneakers,oldt-shirtwiththesleeves

rippedoff,andoffbrandmeshshorts.Heswallowedthebutterfliesthatcongested

hisstomach,andgatheredhisteammateslikelivestock.Marcusyelledtowards

Damien,“We’reup.”WorriedMikewouldwonderoff,hepattedhimontheback,

andnudgedhimtowardsthecourt.Tariq,hisfourthplayer,stoodcomposedand

ready.

“We’reup,”saidMarcus,repeatedly.

Hechargedthecourtwavingthelosersawaylikeflies.Hepointedouthis

teammates;countedoutallfourplayers,includinghim.

DamienpattedMarcusonthebackside“Getyourman,”hesaid.Then

Damiencoveredhisassignment.Damienwasjustbelow6feettallwithmuscular

legs,andimpressiveshouldersforhisbuild.Mikeachubbydarkskinkidwithquick

feetdraggedhisshoesagainstthepavement.Tariqwasleft-handedandhadalong

reachforhisheightof5’7.Readily,hepressedhishandsagainsthisassignment’s

shouldertokeephimhonest.

Jakes’teamconsistedofRed,ablackguywho’snicknamederivedformhis

haircolorandfreckles,Dominiqueascrappyplayersportingachiptooth,andflat

footedRonnie.

“Gameto12allones,”Ronniesaid.Hecalledoutthecourtrulesthen

passedtheballinbounds.

Jakesqueezedtheballwithbothhands,spunit,slammeditandmarched

downthecourt.Marcuswaitedpatientlybehindtheimaginaryhalfcourtline.Widein

hisdefensivestancehiseyesfloatedsidetoside.”Callthepicks,”heshouted,

foreshadowingapossibleplay.

JakewavedoffaleftscreenfromRed.Hepickedupspeedwitheach

dribble;hepattedtheballshufflingitrighttoleft.Withafakeoutpenetrationmove,

hejabsteppedleft,andsprunghisfootbacktoaneutralposition.

MarcusatJake’smercybuckledbackwards.Jaketookhistime,relaxedandsank

theshot.

UnknowinglytoDominique,Damienhadhustledhiswaydowncourtbefore

Jake’sbasketsankthroughthenet.Dominiquetooknoticelate,turnaround,and

franticallychasedafterDamien.Withamplespacearoundhim,Damienreachedhis

armsupcallingfortheball.MikeacknowledgedDamienandlaunchedtheballlikea

rocket.TheballcrashedintoDamien’spalmswhothenquicklytookonedribble,

switchedtheballovertohisrighthandcockinghisarmbackandthrewdowna

crowdpleaser.

Smotheredagainstthebleachersyoungladiesaccompaniedtheir

boyfriends.Theyadjustedtheirtops,appliedlip-glossandyelledoutwordsof

encouragement.Otherspectatorssimplywatched.Occasionally,theplayers

stoppedtheactiontokickofflooseballsthatclutteredtheplaygroundalongwith

candyrappersandemptybagsofchips.

Theplayersyelledoutscoreswitheachbasketball.Downthestretcha

breachinthescoresturnedanexcitinggameargumentative.Obscuredgestures

andbatteringfoulsdisorientedthecourt.Thegamespedupastimepassed.Both

teamsexchangedbasketsbackandforwardastestosteronefilledtheair.

Redbroughttheballdownthecourt.Tariqstalkedhiminchbyinchclosingthe

distanceanytimeRedmadeamoveofsignificance.Overwhelmed,hedribbled

backtothetopofthekey.Jakecalledfortheballashepositionedhimselfdownlow.

Heraisedhisrightarmwhileclearingspacewithhisleft.Marcuspushedupagainst

Jake;withhishandsplacedagainstJake’slowerback,heheldhisground.Jake

reachedaroundhisbacktossingMarcus’armaway.TheballtwirledtowardsJake,

hecaughtit,spunright,andlostMarcusinthewind.Marcusreachedhishandin

attemptingtopluckattheball,butJaketookflight,andpunishedtherim

“AndtheSpartansgoupbyone,”saidJake,ramminghisshoulderinto

Marcus’collarboneasherandowncourt.

Marcus’bodyshapeshifted.Anexcruciatingpainranthroughhisneck.He

tookasecondtogatherhimself,andswearunderneathhistongue.Tariqpassedthe

ballinboundtoMikewhodasheddowncourt.Mikelookedleftandrightforacutter,

andfoundMarcustrailingbehind.Marcushurrieddowncourt,cutthroughthelane,

andmadehiswaytothebaseline.Herubbedtheinsideofhisearbeforesmearing

waxaroundhisfingertipsforgrip.Nowopeninthefarlifecorner,hishandsswung

up.Hecaughtthebulletpass.Hesquareduptowardsthebasket.WhenJake

appearedfromthecornerofhiseye,hehaltedhisjumpshotmotion.

VeinspulsedfromJake’sneckasheranlikeanattackdoghuntinghisprey.

Marcussizedhimup.Timedhim.Baitedhim.Pumpfaked,andlefthimstuckinthe

airfloating,cloudlike.Marcusrepositionedhisfeet,squaredbackup,andreleased

theballattheheightofhisshot.Cockyinstance,helethisfollowthroughhand

lingerastheballpenetratedthebasket.

“It’sonlysolongfakeguardscanpretend,”saidMarcus,spoofingarapline.

Jakereceivedtheballfrominbound;hesmackeditwithhisrighthand,

poundeditagainsthisleftpalm,anddribbleddowncourttowardsMarcus.Mike

playedoffhismantohelphimcoverJake.MarcusglancedoveratMike,raisedhis

hand,andwavedhimoffasiftostakesoleclaimofthebull.Hethenslammedboth

handsagainstthepavementandlikeamatadordirectedthebulltowardshim

JakesquaredupwithMarcus,anddancedwiththeballweavingitinandout

ofhislegs.Whenhefoundhisrhythmheperformed:Threedribblesandaninout

movefakingrightbeforegoingleft.Marcuskepthisbalanceniceanddefensetight,

andwentoverthemoveinhisheadwhileitplayedout.

Disruptively,Marcustookapartthemovelikeanoverzealousstreetmechanic.

Startled,withnowheretogoJake’seye’sdarkened.Hecuppedtheballunderhis

forearms,madeafist,andtookaboundtowardsMarcus.Whenhissecondfoot

landedhedroppedhisleftelbowblastingintoMarcus’chest.

Whilethrownback,Marcusgasped.Heleanedagainsttheballsofhisfeetand

caughthisbalance.Hereachedoverattheballtonoavail.Distraughtly,hereached

aroundJake’sneckpressingagainsthisAdamsappleashetackledhimdown.

Jake’sbodytiltedbackwards;190poundsofmuscletumbled.Marcushoped

fortheworst,butwasdisappointed.Jakebrokehisfallonhisbuttandsprungup.He

lookedathishandsfullofdebris,wipedit,andchargedatMarcus.Hepushed

Marcusheroically,likeapedestrianbeingsavedfromoncomingtraffic.

MarcusflewbackafewfeetbeforelandingintoDamienarms.

JakerantowardMarcusagain,butMikesteppedinshieldinghisfriend.

Thescenequicklybecamequarrelsome;bothpartiespushed,grabbedand

shovedateachother.Patronsfromthesidelineintervenedseparatingbothgroups,

stoppingthemelee,beforeanyseriouspuncheslanded.Bothpartiestossedback

wordsorwar,andhatelikehardliquor

“Samemoveeverytime,”Marcussaid.

“Itwasgoodenoughtotakeyourspot,”Jakesaid.

“Youdidn’ttakeit,Ihandedittoyou,”Marcussaid.

“IguessyouhandedmeJataratooright?”Jakesaid.Hepickeduphisshirt

fromthegroundandwrappeditaroundhisshoulderandmarchedalongwithhis

crew.

MarcusAssessedthewordsdealthiswayandthebutterfliesreturned.He

watchedonwhileJakeandcompanyantagonizingstaresdisappearedbeyondthe

schoolparkinglot.

Lateronintheweek,afterabriefhiatus,JatarafinallytextedMarcusback.

Nohappyfaces,nocuteabbreviations,justaflatinvitationtomeetup.

Theydecidedtomeetattheirfavoriteeatery,Joe’sBurritos.Alocal,familyowned,

restaurantthatbraggedaboutservingburritosthesizeofyourhead.

Thesunlituptherestaurantfromtheoutside.Thelobbysmelledofwarm

tortillawraps,anddomesticbeer.Perspiring,Marcusstretchedthecollarofhisshirt

againsthisface,andwipedthesweatbeadstricklingagainsthisnose.The

temperatureofroomrose,buteveryoneelselookedcool.Headjustedhispromise

ringsothewordsJataralovesMarcusforeverfacedup.Hecheckedhisphone

screen;tenminutesbehindschedule,buthemadeit.Hescannedthelobby,spotted

her,andbecameenamoredbyherpresence.

Jatarasatpatientlyinabooth,handsonherlapwithherfingersdangly.The

boothshechosewasdiscreet,cornedinperfectviewofthetelevision.Mounted

highagainstthewall,thetelevisiondisplayedasoapoperaonTelemundo.He

walkedovertohertableandbrushedhershoulderwithhispalms.Startled,she

jumpedoutofdeepthought,andbackinsidetheconsciousworld.Shepushedher

bangsawayfromherface,creasedherdeepdimplesandbrokeasmile.“Hey,”she

said.Shehadonasummerdressthatdrapeddowntohercalves.Itwaswhitewith

colorfuldesignsontheprint,andagreenbowatthewaistline.Marcushadongray

sweatpantswithawhitet-shirtandallwhiteNikes.Hewrappedabluebagaround

hisbackthathealwayskeptonhim

Hetookoffhisbackpackandslidittotheoppositeendoftheboothwhile

watchingherlittleframeliftofftheseat.Hethenreachedaroundherarmsand

squeezedher.“Howhaveyoubeen?”heasked,takinginhervanillafragrance.

Withhereyestitledlowshesaid,“I’vebeengood.”

Satisfiedwiththesmalltalktheyagreedtoorder,andSheledtheway.Theline

stretchedouthalfwayacrosstherestaurant,butmovedatasteadypace.Whenthe

cashierhandedareceipttothelastpatronahead,theysteppedforward.

“WelcometoJoe’sBurrito,”saidthecashier,ayoungwhitegirlwithatrickle

ofLatininherblood.Sheworeherdarkhairtiedinabun.Itmadeherlookyounger

thanhertrueage.

“Hi,Iwouldliketohavetwosoft-shellchickentacos,”saidJatara,“andcanI

havesomeguacamoleontheside?”

“Surenoproblem,”saidthecashier.

MarcusslidinfrontofJatara.“Letmegettheonepoundchickenburritowith

everythingonit,”hesaid.Thecashieraskedhimifhewouldlikeguacamoleonthe

sideaswell,andhepassed.

“You’regoingtoeatallofthat?”Jataraasked,eerily.

Forasmallgirlshesurehadbigopinions.“I’mstarving,”Marcussaid.

Thecashierwaitedfortheshowtoplayout.“Wouldyoulikeanythingtodrink

withthat?”sheasked.

“Yes,”Marcussaid,“butmakethatburritohalfchickenhalfsteak.”

“Canyouevendothat?”askedJatara.Shegrumpedherfaceinhalfa

curioushalfdisgustdemeanor

Thecashierlookedoverhershoulder,conversedwiththeprepcookinSpanish,

andafterafewexchangesconcludeditwasnoproblem.

“See!”saidMarcus,proudly.“Let’sgettwomediumcupswiththatorder.”

ThecashierhandedtwocupstoMarcusthathepassedJatara’sway,andshe

headedtothefountaindrinkstation.WithJatara’sannoyanceatadistance,he

orderedachocolatecoveredtaco,whichhediscreetlyhidinhissweatpants.

AttheirseatsJatarahandedMarcushisdrink.Hepeeledoffthewrapper

aroundthestrawandstabbeditintothelid.Hetookasipofhisbeverage,“Diet

Coke?”hesaid,murmuring.

“What’swrongwithDietCoke?”sheasked.

“It’sasbadastherealstuff.”hesaid,“Itjusttastesworse.”Marcusgotout

thebooth,grabbedhiscupandwalkedovertothedrinkstation.Hepouredoutthe

dietcokeandrinsedthecupout.Helookedoverhisoptionsbeforedecidingon

Sprite.Hesplashedinafewpiecesoficeandtookaseat.

JataraglancedoveratMarcuscup.Heknewherwellenoughtoknowthequestion.

“It’sSprite,”hesaid.MarcusunwrappedhisburritowhileJatara’seyeshovered

overhisfood.Hetookhisconcentrationoffhismeal,andcaughtaglimpseofher

staring;heignoredherandcontinueddrowninghisburritoinsauce.

“So…whatdidyoudoallweek?”sheasked.Shegrabbedtheplastic

containerfilledwithguacamole,andpoureditonthetopofhertacos.

“Nothingexciting,”hesaid,beforetakingmansizedbitesofhisburrito.

“IheardaboutyouandJake,”shesaid.JataralookedawayfromMarcus,

andnibbledawayathertaco.

Hewipedhismouthwithanapkin.“Itwasnothingjustapushingmatch,”hesaid.

Thenhepeeledthelidoffhiscup,andtookagulpofhisbeverage.

“Why?”sheasked.

Heburped,gothimselftogetherandhisfacetightened“He’sarrogant.That

wholeStatethingisgettingtohishead,”hesaid.

Shepickedatherfood,pluckingbitsofchickenfromhertaco,andsaid.“You

couldhavegone.”

“Gonewhere?”heasked.

“Tostate,”shesaid.

“Yea,ifitwasn’tforJake,”

“Youcouldofwalkedon,”

“WhywouldIdothat?”

“BecauseI’mgoing,”

“Goingwhere?”

“ToState,”shesaid.

Hefrowned,brushedhishairwithhispalms,andlookedaroundthe

restaurantasifanswersfloatedamongstthemoths.

“Idecidedmyselfweeksago,”shesaid.“YouknowIwantedtogo.”

“Loyalty?”heasked.Hispromiseringbegantolooseashishandbecame

moist.Helookedatherfinger,andforthefirsttimerealizedtheringonherhand

wasn’thisown.

“Stillam,”shesaid,“loyaltowhoyouoncewhere.”Jatararanherfingers

throughherpurse,pulledoutaringandplaceditonthetable.

Theringglowedonthetable.Thelightilluminatedjustafewwordsofthe

engraving.ItreadMarcusloves.“SoJakewastellingthetruth?”

“Iwantedtotellyou.”

“So’that’swhywe’rehere?”

“That’swhywe’rehere!”

Hewrappedupwhatremainedofhisburrito,placeditindoggybag,secured

itinhisbackpack,andslidittotheleftofhim.

“Mymomwillbehereshortlyifyouwantaride?”sheasked.

Heignoredher.Atraitorwithaconsciouswasstillatraitor

“Pleasedon’tbemad.Ithinkwecanstillbefriends,”shesaid.Jatararelaxed

herforearmsonthetable,andtwirledherforkaroundincircles.Whenherphone

rang,astrongermorematureversionofhervoiceleakedthroughthespeakers.

“IhavetogoMarcus,”shesaid.

Shestoodupturnedtowardhim“TakecareofyourselfMarcus,”shesaid,before

leavinghim.Heshrunkinhisseatsomuchhislegsdangled.

Lookingforcomfort,Marcusreachedinhissweatpantspulledouthis

chocolatecoveredtaco,unwrappeditandcrunchedintothewafflecone.Acouple

bitesintothedessertandstillnochangeinhismoodaccrued.Theenergyinthe

roomwasstillrotten.Helookeddown;Jatara’sringsatonthetable.Ittauntedhim

withjudgment,andsuckedenergyfromhim.Heglimpsedatthetrashcanacrossthe

restaurant,smirked,andsizeditup.Hesquintedhiseyesuntiltheringalone

crowdedhisview.Hebalancedtheringonthetablesoitstoodvertically.Withhis

rightindexfinger,hesquaredupthering,andflickeditacrossthebooth.Thering

tookflight,butitfellshortsmackingintothetopofthetrashcanbeforedisappearing

underatable.“Almosthadit,”Marcussaid.Afewlaughsmuffledfromatable

besidehim.Thekindoflaughsaconfidentmanignores.Hescrunchedinhisseat,

thelaughsgotlouder,hispridedwindledandthenhejettedoutthedoor.

ThebusMarcuscaughtfromthecampusofWesternMichiganUniversity

haddroppedhimoffatthedesignatedtransferstation,adeadstripmallwitha

Marshall’sstoreasitsclaimtofame.ThemallhadtheappealofaninnercityGrey

Houndstationmixedwiththelandscapeofdilapidatedhousingunits

Whileplantedonabench,hedreamtupunlikelyscenariosofwhathemight

ofdonedifferentlyifhecouldrelivetheeventsofthelastfewhours.Hisbuspulled

up;itssignreadA1DrakeRd.Thebuswoulddrophimoffafewyardsfromhis

house,aneasywalkhome.

Hereachedovertohisrightsideandthenquicklyjerkedleft.Hestoodup,

scannedthebench,andthensquatteddowntohiskneestosearchunderneathhis

seat.Therewasnothingtherebutgumwrappersandoldreceipts.Hecheckedthe

trashcanbythebench,lookedoverhisshouldersinbothdirectionsforstragglers

butnoonesignificantwasinsight.Hetappedhisrightlegonthegroundrepeatedly

untilhisthoughtscleared,andthenitcametohim.

Thebusdriver,ablackladyinhermidthirties,draggedonaNewport.She

woreanavyblueuniform,whichconsistedofacollaredshortsleeveshirtandlong

pantsthathuggedherhips.Shestoodafewfeetbesidethebusblowingsmoke

fromherlungs.Inbetweenpuffs,shetwistedherlefthandtowardherfacetocheck

thetime.

MarcusapproachedherjustassheputouttheNewport.“Excuseme,what

timeisthebusthat’sheadingbacktowardscampuscoming?”heasked.

“Itwon’tbehereforanotherhour,”Shesaid,glancingatherwatch.

“Ineedtogetbacktocampusassoonapossible,”hesaid.

Thebusdrivercalmedhimdownasheexplainedhisdilemma.

“I’lltakeyouasclosetocampusaspossible,butyouwouldhavetowalkfrom

thestreetthebusturnsoffon,”shesaid,“That’sthebestIcando.”

Thebusblewcoolairwithastenchofmildew.Theseatsweretealwithwhite

linesonthemrevealingwheretheleatherhadcracked.Onlyahandfulof

passengersoccupiedthebusduringthistimeofday.

Marcuscrackedthewindow,tookinthesummerair,andletthecoolbreeze

calmhim.Whilehypnotizedinthemoment,animageofwherehelefthisbagand

thecontentsthatrestedinitappeared.Hewassortingouthisplanwhenanudge

againsthislegbrokehisconcentration.Atallfigurepushedupagainsthim.Inthe

seatover,atightfit,abumsquishedhisbodyinlikeaTetrisblock.Thewhitemale

hadgrayishblondhair,overgrownearsandabearddecoratedwithleftovers.His

stenchpropelledthroughtheair;itsmelledofdeodorant,cheeseburgerwrappers

andusedsodacans.Marcusrecoiledhisbodypressingasclosetothewindowas

possible,butthebumcameincloser.Thebumlodgedseveralbagstogether,which

includedanoldarmybagthatscrapedMarcus’legeverytimethebushitasudden

jerk.

“Hey,youwouldn’thappentohaveacigarette”Thebumasked.

“Idon’tsmoke,”Marcussaid.

“That’stoobad.”hesaid.Thebumproceededtostartaone-way

conversationaboutagovernmentconspiracyandtieditintothepricehikeof

cigarettes.Marcusheardhim,butdidn’tlisten.Heleanedhisheadagainstthe

windowasfatiguegavein,andlethisheadbobblewhileJatara’swordsateathim.

Thebusdriverappearedthroughhermonitoringmirror,“Heykid,yourstopis

comingupshortly,”sheyelled.

Heraisedhishandstoacknowledgeher.Hewantedtothankher,buthis

mouthhaddried.

Somehowthebumtooknotice,hereachedintoawhiteshoppingbagandpulledout

ahalffrozenbottleofwater.“Youlooklikeyoucanusethis,”hesaid,pointingthe

bottleMarcus’way.

Hegrabbedthewaterfromthebum’shand,quenchedhisthirstandburpedin

appreciation.

Whenhefinallyreachedhisstop,heapproachedthebum.“Hey,what’syour

name?”heasked.

“Samuel,”hesaid

Marcusreachedintohispocketpulledoutafewsingles,andhandedthem

hisway.Hethenlookeddownonhisfinger,twistedoffhispromisering.Helooked

atitonelasttime,flippeditintheairandcaughtit.“Iguessforeverhasashot

clock,”hesaid,whilehandinghim14karatsofexpiredlove.

Then,heslippedpastandhoppedoffthebus.

Afterthebuspassed,Marcuslookedaroundforadiscreetarea,found

somebushes,andrelievedhimself.Hisbladderwouldhaveexplodedduringthebus

rideifhehadn’ttaughthimselftocope.Hemasteredtheskillhissenioryearofprep

hoopsasanalternativetobreakingupplaystohitthelockerroom.

Bythetimehereturnedtocampus,theskyhaddarkened.Hepeeped

throughthewindowsoflittleshops,chairsstackedontabletops,closedsignsand

employeeshustlingaroundoccupiedthescene.Lightsfromtheopenpizzeriasand

barskeptthestreetslit.

Whilewaitingforthecrosswalksigntoturnwhitehisvisionblurred.He

squinted,andwipedhiseyelidsdry.Bravely,heinchedhisfootforward.Theloud

resonantsoundofacarhorncloudedhisear,andhejumpedback.Afewswear

wordspropelledtowardshimbeforehedecidedtogiveitanothergo.

Arrogantly,heinchedforwardagain,butbeforehecouldwalkahandgrabbedhis

shoulder,andsprunghimback.

“Whatareyoutryingtocommitsuicide?”thevoicesaid.

Marcusturnedaround,andpeeredhiseyes.“Antwan?”heasked.

Antwanhadasmilelikeazebrawithperfectwhiteteethtogoalongwithit.

Thepreviousyearsofbraceshadpaidoffforhim.Thefellasknewhimasbigbro,

orDamien’solderbrotherdependingonwhomyouasked.Justaninchshorterthan

Daimen,butwithabiggerbuildandmorematurefeatures

“Whatareyoudoingoncampus?”heasked,“betteryetwhatareyoudoing

playingintraffic?”

“JusttryingtogettoJoe’s,”Marcussaid.

“Iseverythingcool?”heasked.

“Allergies,”Marcussaid.

AntwanwalkedwithMarcusacrossthestreet,andpointedhimintheright

directions.“Youbetterrushthey’llbeclosedsoon,”hesaid,andthenhewentonhis

way.

MarcustwistedthedoorknobatJoe’sBurritos,butitdidn’tbudge.Thelight

ontheneonsignhaddulledandpatronswhoearlierclutteredtheoutsidebalcony

hadvanished.Insidethestorefrontwindow,aSpanishladywipeddowntabletops.

Seekingherattention,heknockedviolentlyonthewindow.

Startled,shejerkedback,andpalmedherchest.Shelookedathimthroughthe

glass,andpointedtoherimaginarywatch.MarcusYelledthroughthewindowasa

mutewould,“Ineedmybag,”hesaid,butnowordsactuallylefthismouth.Hewaved

hertowardthedoor,andsheignoredhim.Hethensmackedonthewindow

repeatedlyuntilheannoyedherenoughtocometohisaid.Sheturnedherhead

towardstheregister,paused,andmadeherwaytotheentrance.

Shecrackedopenedthedoor.“Sorry,butwe’reclosed,”shesaid.

“Ijustneedtograbmybackpack.Ileftitontheboothintherear,”hesaid,

pointingthedirectionwherehewasseatedearlier.

“Holdon,”shesaid.Shelockedthedoorbehindherandwentbackintothe

lobby.Afterafewminutesshecamebacktothedoorandstuckherheadout.

“Sorrythere’snobackpackinhere.”Sheclosedthedoorlikeaschoolgirlpolitely

breakingupwithherboyfriend.

“Wait!”hesaid,stickinghisshoesthroughthecrackofthedoor.“Letme

checkmyself,”

Nowabitedgy,shelookedoveratMarcus’footjammingtheentrance.She

lookedoutsidemakingsurehedidn’thaveguest.Shehuffed,andlethimthrough.

Whileinside,hewenttotheexactboothhehadoccupied.Hecheckedaroundthe

booth,andunderthetable.Theyoungladykeptlookingbehindthecounter;

alternatingbetweenthatandwatchinghiseverymove.ShegaveMarcusafew

minutestosearchthenshereasonedwithhim.“I’msorryyoulostyourbag,butyou

havetogonow,”Shesaid,“Mymangerwouldkillmeifhesawyouhereafter

hours.”

Marcuspaidhernomind,slidingbackandforwardonthelobbyfloors

ashecheckedeveryinchoftherestaurant.Theyoungladyproceededtorecite

safetyguidelineshopingtogethisattention.WhenMarcus’sresiliencehaddulled,

hepulleddownachairfromthetabletopandtookaseat.Hedugdowndeepin

memoryretracinghisstepswhiletheyoungladymadethreatshedidn’tbelieveshe

wascapableof.

FromthebackoftherestaurantaSpanishguywithabigbellyandstained

poloshirtemerged.HecaughtaglimpseofMarcushanginginhislobby.Helooked

overattheyoungladyandspoketoherinanaggressivetone;alanguageMarcus

couldn’tcomprehend.Afewexchangesandhisdemeanorlightedup.TheSpanish

guyreachedundertheregisterandpulledoutabluebackpack.

Marcussighedinrelief;heapologizedforthetroubleandaskedtousethe

restroom.ThebigbellymansizedupMarcus’frameandagreed.

Marcusyankedontherestroomdoor.Heheardavoice,buthaddifficulty

makingoutanywords.Hewaitedanxiouslyforafewminutesthenaloudflushcame

fromtherestroom.Marcusbackedup,andthedoorflewopen.Atartodorsmacked

himinthefaceasthemancameout,smirkingandembarrassed.Marcuspulledhis

shirtoverhisnoseandentered.Therestroomhadnostall,justanoldtoiletanda

sinkthatdrippedwatereveryfewseconds.Marcussathisbagonthesurfaceofthe

sink.Hegrabbedablackcasefromhisbackpack.HepulledouthisFlexPenfullof

Novolog,pulledoffthetop,andattachedtheneedle.Hethenturnedtheknobto10

units,andflickedatthepenthreetimes.Hepulleddownhispants,andinjectedthe

needletothesideofhisthighapplyingpressure.

Marcussatonthetoiletseatandwaited.

Abouttheauthor

JamesArawoleisascreenwriterturnedauthorwhoattendedNew

YorkFilmAcademywherehestudiedscreenwritingandfilmproduction.He

laterworkedasaproductionassistantfortheacclaimedHBOseriesThe

Wire.HeplanstopublishBloodisthickerthansugarasafull-lengthbook

viaKickstarter.FormoreinformationontheKickstartercampaignplease

visit

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