Chapter 10
Brad Taylor did a double take as he saw Torchy entered the Clown Lounge and make her way hesitantly toward the bar. "Hey, Torchy," he said. "What the hell?"
"I had to see you, Brad," the sultry teenager said. "Mom told me about the fight you two had and . . "
"It's alright, baby," the man said with a huge smile. "I talked with her on the phone about thirty minutes ago. She's on her way home from Bluefield-in a rental car, alone. No Sy Cohen!"
"And you two are alright?"
"More than alright, Torchy. We-oh, baby, she says it's cool about my new gig at the Velvet Hand. In fact, I may have to support the two of you for a while!"
Torchy twisted her face in confusion, trying to read the radiant shine on the face of the sandy-haired giant. "What the hell does that mean?" she demanded.
"Kay-your mother," Brad cried. "She quit her job!"
"You're kidding," Torchy said in disbelief.
"No-no; honest injun," the big man said. "She said she would be home around eight o'clock-ask her yourself!"
"That's great-fantastic," Torchy said. "But I'm having supper with a friend-Karli Olsen. It'll be ten or so before I get home. Unless, of course, you think it's important that I be there."
"Oh, no-no way," Brad said. "Mice has a guy coming in to relieve me at seven-thirty. I-ah, I love you, sweetheart really. But I'm glad you won't be there for a few hours. Your old lady and me have got much to talk about!"
"Okay," Torchy said, and winked at him. "I'll stay out until midnight...."
"I think I heard an implied `but' there somewhere, young lady," Brad said. "Let's hear it. You'll stay out to midnight but...."
"But," Torchy said with an evil little grin, "I get to join the two of you on the big bed in Mom's room when I get home. Is it a deal?"
"It's cool with me, baby," Brad said.
"Now I hear the implied `but,' Brad!"
"Yeah; well-but the final decision is up to your mother," Brad said. "Okay?"
"Shake," Torchy said as she extended her hand across the bar. "And, Brad-please try to save just a teeny-tiny bit of love juice for me!"
"Are you really worried, kid?"
"Nope...."
"Good," the sandy-haired giant said. "Look; you'd better hit on out of here. The pork would close this place down in a quick minute if they caught a kid your age in here, sitting at the bar!"
"I'm really glad you and Mom worked it out, Brad!"
"Not half as glad as me!"
"Well; I'd really better get moving," Torchy said. "This friend is expecting me at six-thirty!"
"You did say Karli Olsen?" Brad said. "Karli-a girl; not Karl-a boy!"
"Right," Torchy said. "Karli-a girl!"
"I could swear I saw the fires of passionate expectation burning in your eyes, baby," Brad said. "I guess I was wrong, huh?"
"I'll never tell," the sultry teenager cooed as she got down from the stool and headed toward the door. She paused for a long moment, turned and threw Brad a wet kiss.
"Later for you, kid," the giant said.
"I'll be ready...."