Blackness Takes Over & Blackness Awaits by Norma Jeanne Karlsson

Sully motions at me like I had to him earlier.
    “Go throw on your pants and a sweater real quick Kid, we’ll wait for ya,” Cally says brightly. He’s always the sweet one trying to help. If we were just going to Flannery’s like usual that would be a fine suggestion, but that’s not what we’re doing. I can’t say that though or they’re going to get more suspicious. All this work for a thirty-year-old woman to go out looking good is fucking ridiculous!
    “I need to put on my face and deal with my hair boys. I need more than ten minutes,” I’ve been able to waste five talking to these jackholes. “I’ll just cab it and then ride with you the rest of the night, ’kay?”
    “I got a driver tonight, Kid,” Kavy tells me. “No one wanted to DD. I’ll send the car back for you.” That was an order, not a suggestion. No cab for me.
    “One of us can hang back with you, if you want.” Sweet Cally.
    “No, you all go ahead. I’ll be right behind you. Get my drink for me and sign us up for the quiz. I’ll be there before we start, promise.” I give them my panty dropping smile. They bought it. Shrugs and nods all around the group. They all turn to go down and leave, Finn hangs around. Will it ever end today?!
    “I just wanted a quick word, Kid.” He grins sheepishly. He looks yummy. His blond hair is slicked to the side and his blue eyes are all sparkly. He’s got on perfect dark wash jeans that glide over his thighs and crest his dress shoes impeccably. On top is a crisp textured light blue button down, top two buttons open, covered with a grey blazer. His shoulders are wide, his chest is framed like a painting, his waist is slim and I know the man V is lurking just above it. Tasty. Oh yeah he wants to talk to me. I’m just as big a perv as the boys…nice.
    “What’s up?” I ask nonchalantly.
    “I’m sorry about earlier. Not just here, but also in the car. I’m havin’ an off day and takin’ it out on you.” His eyes show remorse. He feels like a dick. That’s good enough for me.
    “No problem, Finn. It happens even to perfect people like me,” I say to lighten the mood. He laughs and wraps his arms around my shoulders. I grab around his waist and give him a squeeze and a sniff, yum. He’ll get laid tonight, I’ll find him someone.
    “See ya in a bit,” he says before he turns and leaves. That feels a million times more normal. There’s hope!
    I head back to the bathroom and get the show on the road. Tonight is a smoky eye night if there ever was one. I don’t do girly but my one caveat is makeup. I’ve always loved makeup. One thing to credit my mother with I suppose. I have large almond eyes and can wear pretty much any style of makeup I decide on, it’s a luxury I appreciate. I pull out my MAC palette and get to it. Once I’ve smoked up the eyes the rest of my face is low key, bronzy blush and a nude shiny lip.
    My hair has to go up. Dancing in a hot sweaty club with my hair halfway down my back is not pretty. I pull it up into a loose bun type something. I don’t know what to call it, but it looks good and like I intended for it to happen this way (I didn’t). Now, dress and shoes and I’m outta here.
    No panty lines. Check. No deodorant on dress. Check. Legs lotioned and smooth. Check. Clutch with cash, card, ID, lips, phone and gun. Check. I’m good to go and the car is waiting in the driveway. I forgo a coat, because if I have one Kavy will make me wear it all night. I’ll get dropped off at the curb, so I won’t freeze but for a moment. All right, I’m out the door.
    “Miss Kelly,” the driver, an older gentleman with grey hair and kind eyes nods and opens the back door of the SUV for me. I smile and climb in as elegantly as possible, so as not to cause this guy a heart attack. Success!
    He climbs in the driver’s seat and glances in the rearview mirror at me.
    “Would you like me to turn the heat up Miss Kelly? It’s chilly out there tonight.” He’s genuine