Chapter 57
“Now, what was so urgent?”
Johnnie pulled into the lot behind the Savoy Hotel and parked Marguerite’s Oldsmobile. It was 9:30. She knew she’d see Earl open the back door like clockwork. Seconds later, Earl opened the door and looked out. He saw Johnnie and waved at her. She got out of the car, walking hurriedly to the door.
Benny pulled into the parking lot in time to see her enter the building. He drove around until he spotted Marguerite’s Oldsmobile then he parked a couple of rows away. He didn’t realize it, but he was parked right next to Earl’s Cadillac. He knew it wouldn’t be a long wait. If she really liked Lucas, she would be in and out as quickly as she could, he thought. He decided that now would be a good time to call Sadie to decide where they would meet, and walked to the front entrance of the Savoy to use the pay phone in the lobby.
Before Johnnie could get in the room, Earl started fondling her breasts. A couple of seconds later, his hand was up her skirt and inside her panties. She was about to protest when he planted a sloppy, wet kiss on her lips.
I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
Pulling away and leaning back a bit, with her hands firmly on his chest, Johnnie said, “I thought you had urgent news, Earl.”
“I do, honey,” he said, almost desperate. “I just need a little first, that’s all. Just a little to help me relax. It’s been awhile since we did it.”
“It’s only been a week.” Johnnie frowned. “Have you forgotten that my mother was murdered?”
“No, honey. I haven’t forgotten, but . . .”
“But you still expect me to put out regardless of what I’m going through, right?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way.”
“What way would you put it, Earl?” Johnnie asked, putting her hands on her hips. “Tell me, Earl. I’m curious as hell.”
Earl bowed his head. He felt ashamed of himself, but he still had a stiff erection in his pants.
“The truth is,” Johnnie continued, “you don’t even care, do you? As long as you get yours, you couldn’t give a damn about me and how I’m feeling.”
“Johnnie, I do care. It’s just that it’s been a long time and—”
“Since when is a week a long time? I can wait a week or much longer. How come you cain’t?”
Earl just looked at her, hoping that she would feel sorry for him and please him like she’d done so many times before.
“Fine, Earl. I’ll do it, but I wonder what it’ll take for you to care about someone other than yourself.”
Moments later, Earl was inside her, making his animalistic groans of ecstasy. He was so into the moment that he was unaware of her complete detachment. Johnnie was just lying there, hoping he would hurry up and finish so she could find out whatever it was he had to say. Then she’d be on her way to meet Lucas. Unfortunately, Earl was uncharacteristically slow, savoring every stroke. Johnnie decided to hurry him along. She arched her back and pumped a few times. Just as she knew he would, Earl lost control. He was now moving with the urgency of a rabbit in heat. Finally, it was over.
Earl was still inside her. His breathing was slowing down, but she could still hear him panting in her ear.
“Earl, could you roll over, please? You’re heavy.”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Earl said and rolled off her.
Johnnie went into the adjacent bathroom and washed herself. She looked into the mirror, saying, “You can do it. Just a little while longer. Then you’ll be free of him forever.”
“What did you say, honey?” Earl shouted. “I can’t hear you through the door.”
“Why do you think I have it closed?”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said, opening the door. “Now, what was so urgent?”