Free What He's Been Missing by Grace Octavia

Fontaine’s or the Oceanaire, but that purple Ford bypassed any place I knew of that served any kind of seafood I normally ate and stopped in front of a huge barn with a parking lot out front. Pickup trucks and old Cutlasses, even a few old Cadillacs, were in the spaces. Men with cornrows in their hair and chains around their necks just like Bird’s sat on the hoods as they sipped on bottles in brown paper bags. A few women were sprinkled around, but their hair was just like the boys. One was wearing a red spandex body suit with a stomach that stuck out so far it swung right over her vagina. And I was thinking she should’ve gone with the cornrows like the rest of the women out there because from across the parking lot and inside the car with Bird, I could see her weave tracks.
    â€œThis is where we’re going?” I asked, trying not to sound as irritated as I felt. “I thought you said we were going for seafood.”
    â€œYeah, baby girl,” Bird said, turning off the car. “This is Bigelow’s. They have the best fried whiting sandwiches in the A.” He looked at me. “Something wrong? You want to go someplace else?”
    â€œNo,” I said, not wanting to offend Bird. “I’ve just never been here before.”
    â€œOh, don’t worry. You with Bird. These just some folks from around here. Ain’t nobody gonna touch you.”
    â€œI’m not worried about someone touching me. You say that like I’m afraid.”
    â€œYou sure look afraid.”
    Bird got out and walked around to open my door. I heard a few people call out his name and when I got out of the car I saw every eye of every woman in the lot glued on me.
    â€œBird got himself a lady friend!” someone shouted loud enough so it was clear that she wanted me to hear her.
    I looked at Bird as he helped me out of the car.
    â€œDon’t you mind her none. She’s just toying with me. Ain’t nothing,” he said.
    The inside of the bar looked as could be expected from outside. It was nothing but a big space with a bar and tables and chairs around it that looked like they came from some abandoned chicken shack. Toward the back of the room, one of those cheap snap-together parquet floors was supposed to be the dance floor. While it wasn’t late enough for the floor to be packed there were enough people to call it a party. The DJ was playing the same old blues standards Bird had been singing along to in the car.
    â€œThey serve food here?” I asked, following close behind Bird. He’d taken my hand and was heading to the bar. The lights were dim and a few of the seats were already occupied with folks sipping on beers and bouncing their heads really slow to the music.
    â€œGood food. The best food.” Bird sat down on a barstool and the waitress came right over like she knew him.
    She was a skinny woman. No older than me. Had gold teeth and a big smile that made you look at them. Her navel was pierced. Someone’s name was tattooed beneath it. I could see this because her jeans were hanging just above her pelvis.
    â€œBirdie Boo!” She gave Bird a high five over the bar. “See you got some company.” She smiled at me and flashed the golden teeth.
    â€œI’m Rachel!” I said before Bird could introduce us. I’ve learned that it’s always best to be very friendly to other women when I’m with a man they know. It cuts out a lot of bullshit. They know you’re not the enemy.
    â€œNice to meet you, Rachel Boo! I’m Ronnie.” She winked at me and then looked back at Bird. “Guess you done got too good for us over here. Ain’t been here to see about me since the weekend.” She pouted at him the way I pouted at Ian.
    â€œBeen trying to make money, so I can tip you real good,” Bird said and Ronnie rolled her eyes playfully. “What now? What you got to say now?”
    â€œI’ll take that,” she