Love Like This

Another hot night deep in the south. Air so thick, it sits like a weight on her shoulders. With a crack in her handheld mirror, she stares deep while brushing her frayed hair. Debbie sees beauty in that woman staring back. Throwing her head back, she dabs her neck with watered down cologne from the five and dime. Debbie is just as fancy as they come. Rouge on her cheeks, stain on her lips. She grins and winks at herself while slowly drawing from her cigarette. Already half drunk, she is ready to dance.

Debbie arrives at Timmy T's Lounge pretty as a picture. Just before walking in, she remembers how mama used to tell her to cross her legs and always be a lady. With that, she walks through the door. The bar room is filled with the smell of sweat and beer. Ah, yes, the sweet aroma of love. Well, the only kind of love she has ever known. But not tonight. Tonight is different; she is tired of being used.

A man walks up to Debbie asking her to dance. His ever so gentle demeanor quiets the room for a moment. Breaking the silence, a voice of mockery yells out, "Just-buy-me-dinner Debbie is getting what she deserves tonight!" The Gentleman raises his hand and says, "This is true. I will not borrow you to give you back to this world. I have already paid for you." He lifts her chin as a black tear rolls off her face staining her shoe. This Man doesn't care about where she has been. So, again, He asks her, "My love, will you dance with me?"