a crowd rocked the front door  ah mebbenot  six    but they made noise for a crowd

at its head was an afroed cat who looked at once asif he was tryin to put some distance between himself an the rest the hale an hearty clutch at his back or had been hurled bodily through the automatic doors by them

then they entered

they were well-fueled women

the second through the door was a selfcontained nicelywrapped package who seemed every bit the substance of thick sweetcream that had risen to the top  she exuded confidence  was erect  bemused by the chattel pressing at her heels

she was the ringleader

he had no doubt

                 but the ring she led was becoming unalloyed  not unraveling splitting like an aortic dissection  rather into dull irregular clots  separations(no doubt no facsimile to the individuals they usually were)  but alcohol can do thatslip inside nefariously xploit slight fissuresfractures an gape them

behind the tall turnstilesthe stacked shelves of miniature liquors which stood between the cashiers counter an the beginning of vertical aisles two of laughing women stopped  they embraced kissed deeply SHOWTIME the curtains parting

this had gone on at the ringleaders back who had gone up into the tequilas and gins

he heard the sharp report of her heels at the linoleum

they quieted  

deciding

then he heard the measured gunshots of her stride as she returned to the front of the store

she split the kissers in-two  Awcomon this aint the place

she had two bottles of expensive tequila by the neck in her hands

usually they were locked inside cabinets behind glass 

she assessedrecognised that someone inside hadnt locked the glasshadnt done their job  why would she press the callbutton for someone  wait for someone   she helped herself  

he liked people who helped themselves

behind her walkedfollowing the leader a young gal who may have been trying to be her shadow  emulate hershe had her work cut out

passing the miniature turnstiles she unsteadily passed to the leaders left an nearly lunged at the counter to get there first

she drew herself up absently reared her shouldersbreasts rising  Yoou knoow wa   ta dayiss she oogled his nametag  Jooe Joe   Helloo Joe Ya knoow wa  ta day    iss

he smiled at her smiled at the ringleader who watched her friend with evident discomfort as the restthe afroed catthe remaining three glided to the front behind them drawn on the draft in their wake  he said I know its Satuday an its January Thirteenth

Nahnah  nah   she blinked she was happily inebriated smiled big white teeth which played marvelously in contrast to her complexion big bright eyes   Nah  Iismu birthdayguess  hoow ol I am   her eyes narrowed  she was deadly serious

Happy birthday

Tank yoou

Youre welcome  How old are you

Yoou gotta guess

Well  you got a baby face  he looked at the ringleader Shes got a baby face too 

I got a baby face

You kiddin me  he turned his attention back to his voluptuous interrogator  Id say youre so freshblown an bright that today is your twentyfirst birthday

Iismu twentyfiirst birthday ta  day an mu friends have have  have taken me ot driinkin

he glancedsaid to the ringleader  An you have her in check

We do

She looks like shes a handful

Babygrrls my best friend

Then shes in good hands

Yes  Thank you

the birthday girl said I am a handful

he turned his attention back to her Thats what we were saying

I am

An I have both your words on it that you are

the gaggle behind them nodded nearly in unison

Joe

Yes bright eyes

Yoouah  wanna feel my breasts

Ohjesus the ringleader said Not now

he smiled warmly  Thats a real nice offer bright eyes but Im not allowed to accept gratuities 

Joedese aint gra  howya say   dese aint gratu tu   sighed concentratimngeyes narrowing  dese  aint  gratuities 
Dey huge titties

  he laughed  
               An I can honestly say no one has ever offered me such large gratuities before  I am humbled

bright eyes smiled real big  she seemed pleased      

turning back to the ringleader to finish their transaction he said Shes very thoughtful

And Im embarrassed

Dont be  Shes inebriated  Id love to see her expression when you tell her tomorrow

Oh shell hear it tomorrow

Ive no doubt  Best friendsbosom buddies  Ive no doubt

            

2333,  Saturday,  13  1. 18

1246,  Thursday,  18  1. 18