The Stripper Equation

Check Your Call Log You Missed Your Wake Up Call

I locked the door behind him and quickly went to get ready for my return to work.

I walked down the block to get Daphne who was sitting waiting on her stoop.  She stood up and cried out in joy as she hugged me.  We started walking towards the club.  "You don't even know how much I missed you.  I mean I love the girls but come on.  They are such drama queens."  Daphne complained.

I smiled at her comments.  She of all people is calling other people drama queens is ironic.  But I must admit that it felt good to be missed.  "Maybe we should start hanging out with normal people."  I suggested.

Daphne looked at me in disgust.  "Normal people are soo boring."  I laughed out loud.  She is crazy.  If it's not one thing it's another.  "So I wonder what happened with the whole Mark thing."

"We got him out yesterday."  I said nonchalantly.

Daphne turned to me and smiled.  "We?"

I rolled my eyes.  "Give me a break Daph.  Tanner and I.  I couldn't just leave him there.  This whole thing started with me."  I was proud of myself.  I didn't say it was my fault.

"So what's going to happen now?"  Daphne wasn't paying attention to where she was going and she ran into a man in a suit.  Three minutes later after much flirting and arm touching we were back on our way and Daphne had a date for tomorrow night.

I was glad the attention had been diverted by the distraction.  Although this is Daphne we are talking about, so right on cue she asked again.  "So what's going to happen with Mark now?"

I really honestly didn't know.  "The officer told him to get a lawyer."

"Well that's great Len.  You can go save the day.  Quid pro quo or whatever."  Ever since she got her nook I have noticed that her vocabulary is getting more diverse.

"I thought of that Daph but I can't."  Before I could explain she attacked.

"But you have to Len.  I bet he won't tell anyone.  I still say he likes you."  Her words stung.  I felt bad continuing to lie to her.

"I would love to but I can't, like legally.  Because I am involved in the case it would be a conflict of interest."  Saying it out loud just reminded me that I still hadn't come up with a solution.  It's not like I still talk to any of my graduating class.  Hell I barely talked to them when I was still in school.  And just as I thought of it Daphne said it.

"What about Vinnie?  I bet he would help."  Daphne was proud of her self.

I mulled it over in my mind before ultimately deciding it wouldn't work.  "He won't do it he hates Mark."

"Why does he hate Mark?  How does he even know Mark?"  Daphne questioned.

"The other day when Mark came over they practically got into a fight.  Vinnie has no reason to hate him he is just being jealous."  It just came out of my mouth.  As soon as I said it I knew that it was the wrong move.

Daphne picked it right up.  "Why was Mark at your apartment?  What aren't you telling me?"

I had to think fast.  "Mark came over the other day.  Gino sent him over to see how I was doing.  Vinnie had been there and misunderstood the conversation.  He thought Mark had given me the bruises."  Good, I barely lied.  Who knows maybe Gino had actually told Mark to come over.

"You said Vinnie was jealous.  Why would he be jealous that he thought Mark hit you?"  Daphne looked at me waiting for my response.  The one freaking crack in my story and she found it.  I swear if she put her brain to good instead of gossip she could get herself out of this life.

"I don't know Daph.  Just the way he was acting.  He was acting like a jealous teenager.  You know how guys are."  I hate lying to Daphne.  I wasn't sure if she believed me but luckily we were at the club and the blaring music made it impossible to finish the conversation.  My eyes immediately were drawn to Mark.  In the crowded club with barely enough time for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting I found him.  Our eyes met and I couldn't help but smile.  I saw him light up to.  Luckily Daphne was in front of me.  She turned around and saw me looking at Mark and she smiled.  Between Tanner and now possibly Daphne I couldn't help but be afraid that this wasn't going to end well.

            The girls all surrounded me to give me hugs and tell me how much they missed me.  You would’ve thought I’d been shot.  I was just tossed around a bit.  Gloria used to date a guy that slapped her around.  He did more damage to her than Frank did to me.  I suppose the difference is she kept going back.  Sympathy has an expiration date, I guess.  Gavin and Danny even came back to welcome me.  It felt good to be missed.  Mark came back to see where everyone was and told everyone to get back to work.  He winked at me before herding everyone to the front of the club.