Free In My Sister's House by Donald Welch

than you’ll ever know. This is a little something for you. I hope you enjoy it. I had no idea who these women were or ever heard of their music except for the lead singer, and you play a lot of their old-school tunes in the house. But I know what they mean to you. Enjoy, June.”
    Ripping the paper off the small package in anticipation, Nettie opened the box to find that it was indeed what she was hoping for. The rock and soul group Labelle’s reunion DVD. She had gotten the CD in 2008 when it was released, but was waiting for the tour DVD. Patti Labelle, Nettie’s favorite singer, had reunited with group members Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash after thirty years for not only a CD but a series of concerts, and this was the DVD of the group’s one-night-only appearance at The Apollo Theater in New York.
    “Yes!” an ecstatic, hand-clapping Nettie shouted, and she got lost for a moment, reading the text on the back of the case. She thought of calling June right back and telling her thank you and how much she appreciated the gift, but more important, her. But she decided against it after looking at her watch and remembering that there was no such thing as a quick call with June. She would thank her later, when she got home. In more ways than one.
    Approaching the bar, Nettie noticed that someone had bumped the picture of Dutch that hung directly on the wall above the bar. The lopsided frame seemed to be hanging on by a thread; it looked as if a mere touch would send it crashing to the floor.
    “I wish people would leave my shit alone!” Nettie said, annoyed. “This is my area. I don’t bother nobody’s shit, so they shouldn’t bother mine!” Straightening the photo, she continued fussing out loud even after the picture was returned to its rightful position. “Whoever it was, they better hope that I don’t catch ’em over here! Make me sick.” She bent down behind the bar to retrieve a few unopened bottles of Ciroc vodka, and did not notice that someone had quietly entered the club.
    “Excuse me,” the stranger said.
    Without standing up or missing a beat, Nettie matter-of-factly stated, “Sorry, baby, we ain’t open yet. Come back around eight o’clock, okay?”
    It was Storm. She decided to tease Nettie by disguising her voice. “But I just want a beer or something,” she growled in a low voice, trying not to laugh.
    “Well, get you some water!” Nettie snapped. “The fountain’s out in the front lobby. Now I don’t want to sound rude, but we’re not open now, shit!”
    “I heard this was a classy, sophisticated joint and that the staff was
professional.”
Storm dragged out the word for dramatic effect. “That must have been before they hired you!”
    Nettie, now really annoyed, stopped what she was doing and prepared to confront the stranger. She was in too good a mood for a verbal battle but
someone
needed to be put in their place.
    “I know one thing, before I turn around you better haul ass …” Before she could finish she turned and saw that it was Storm. Tears quickly formed in her eyes as she lit up with joy. “Over here and give me a hug!” They both screamed in delight and rushed toward each other, arms spread wide open for an embrace.
    “Hey, Nettie, gotcha!” Storm said gleefully as she hugged her old friend.
    “Girl, you damn sure did.” Without letting her go she continued, “How did you get here? Did Skylar pick you up?”
    Relaxing in the embrace but still holding on to Nettie’s hands, Storm told her how she’d wanted to surprise everyone.
    “Girl, now you know I would have come and got you. What the hell’s wrong with you?” She playfully hit Storm on the shoulder.
    “I know, I know. It’s okay. I’m here now aren’t I?” An excited Storm smiled and thought about how much she had missed Nettie.
    “Lawd have mercy, look at you. You look good, Baby Girl.” Nettie’s eyes gave Storm a motherly once-over.
    “I’m okay, Nettie, I’m okay,” Storm replied. There