Do Me A Lil' Favor

In 1950s Atlanta a misunderstanding takes a dark turn that someone may not walk away from.

          Red held his hand out patting the air while his other gripped a revolver leveled in Jody and Lil Charles' direction. “Let’s just hold on now,” he said, smiling. “No need for anyone to get jumpy and do something we all gonna regret.”
Lil Charles flexed his wrist, the blade's edge sliding up and down, rasping against Jody’s neck stubble and making him stiffen at the sensation, eyes widening. He shrugged, “What I got to be jumpy for?” He peered down, “Jody, you nervous ‘bout sumthin’?” The man's Adam's apple bobbed noticeably but he said nothing. Lil Charles shrugged, feigning embarrassment. “He still thinkin’. Let’s give’im a lil’ while ‘fore we ask him again.” He seemed to think a moment then jutted his chin forward, “You know what? Maybe it’s your gun. Why’on’t you put that thing away and we can see if he don't calm down some?”
Red held the gun up, his thumb disengaging the hammer and sliding it forward until it clicked. He brandished it before pulling his jacket open and returning it to his shoulder holster. “Now, how ‘bout you do me a lil’ favor and take your knife away from my man’s throat?” He shrugged, “How ‘bout it?”
         Lil Charles kicked the back of Jody’s right knee, the leg buckling as he dropped to the floor, the left leg following suit unable to support the sudden shift in weight. “Because I’on’t like this muthafucka!” he hissed.
         “Now hold on!,” Red took a step forward. “I’m sure this here ain’t nuthin’ but a misunderstandin’.”
         “This fool bought his black ass in here tryin’ to rob me, ain’t no ‘misunderstandin’ ‘bout
that.”
         “Wasn’t nobody tryin’ to rob yo' ass,” Jody croaked, his voice finally working again. “You owed us money for wastin' that bitch time and I come to get it.”
         Lil’ Charles frowned in confusion, looking to Red for clarity. “What this fool talkin’ ‘bout?”
         “Janey,” Red arched his eyebrows, gesturing with his hand. “He talkin’ about Janey. The girl you were sitting with?”
         Lil’ Charles frowned back at him for a moment, then his face split into a sheepish grin as he pulled the knife away, shoving Jody roughly forward and taking a step back. “Aw hell,” he said, “Why ain’t he just say so?” He looked over at Red, “I ain’t get none though," he clarified, "so, I hope you boys ain’t expectin’ me to pay like I did ‘cause, that ain’t happenin’.”
         Red started to laugh, even as Jody scowled up at him from the floor as he struggled to his feet. The door banged open, the business end of a side-by-side shotgun the first thing through the threshold with Vince on the other side of it, Lulu on his heels.
         She shouldered past the bartender, "Alright! Alright!” she positioned herself between Red, Jody and Lil Charles, legs spread wide hands on hips, pointing back and forth between them. “This bathroom got a two dick limit so two of y’all need to get your asses on up outta here.”
         Jody looked about to say something terse from the set of his mouth but Red silenced him with a look, “Okay,” he said. “No problem. C’mon Jody.” He looked to Lil Charles, “My man, why don’t you come on up to the bar for a drink?”
         “What you wanna drank with this fool for?” Jody growled.
         Red shrugged, “So he know ain’t no hard feelings. And,” he looked to Lil Charles, still smiling, “to see if he lookin’ for work.”
         “What?” Jody looked animatedly back and forth at Red and Lil’ Charles. “You serious?”
         “Hell yeah I’m serious,” Red drawled. “I can always use another man can handle hisself.”
         Lulu cleared her throat loudly. “You niggas heard what I said?,” she made a shooing motion. “Get to gettin’.”
         Red held his hands up in exaggerated acceptance of her order as he made to leave, looking back when he reached the door making a drinking motion. Jody reached the door, looking back and glowering before turning to follow after Red.
         Lulu raised her eyebrows, “Lil Charles?”
         Lil Charles shrugged apologetically, “Well..I did come in here to take a piss. Still ain’t had a chance to do that yet.”
Lulu's expression went blank, her face reddening, “Go on and take ya piss then!” she barked, throwing her hands up in frustration and storming out of the room.
         Vince lowered the barrel of the shotgun, catching Lil Charles' eye. “You’s a fool if you even think about workin’ for Red,” he warned, before disappearing through the door.
         Lil’ Charles stood there unmoving for a moment. He couldn't recall ever having so much trouble occur just from buying a pretty girl a drink and a meal. Then again, as he thought on it a little longer that wasn't completely accurate. There was that time in Vidalia when...he jerked into motion quickly sheathing his knife in the holster located at the small of his back and shuffling over to the nearest toilet, unzipping his pants as he moved. His bladder would wait no longer.