Page 42 of Sweet T
“Shel, it’s no big deal. Javy is family. You’re more upset than me.”
“Goddamn right I am. You’re his son, T. Javy’s been in the picture for ten years–five of which he’s been away at school. Expensive schools your daddy is paying for.”
“He had scholarships.”
“That doesn’t pay his living expenses. Trust me. Your Daddy is spending mucho dinero. It ain’t cheap living overseas.”
“Whatever. Daddy thought it would be cute for Javy to be his best man and for me to be P’s.”
“At least he’s including both of you. If he wasn’t, I’d be driving over there right now and yanking my earrings off.”
Tucker chuckled. “Thanks for having my back. I think we’ve had enough violence around here, though.”
She slid the cooler door shut, tossed an empty Corona box to the side, and reached for another. Sam Barker stepped up to the cash register and Tucker met him there.
“Another Bud, Sam?”
“Nah. Let me settle up. No sense staying open for just me and Dex. Where is everyone, anyway?”
“Shelly says there’s a big wedding at Doc Helton’s. Some cousin of theirs.”
Shelly nodded. “Shay wanted me to tend bar because Becky wasn’t available. She’s working at the Country Club tonight.”
“It’s club supper night,” Sam said. “Low country boil.”
“Hmm,” Shelly said. “You don’t say? I wasn’t invited.”
Sam looked at Tucker, unsure of how to address the comment.
“It’s OK,” Tucker said. “She’s fucking with you. She wouldn’t go even if you did invite her.”
“I might. Might go there and show my ass. How many black members y’all have now, Sam, since things changed?”
Sam’s face reddened, uncomfortable.
“Two,” Dex said, from the corner. He threw his remaining dart and hit a bullseye. There were electronic chirping noises and the game lights flashed.
“Wow. In what, five years?” Shelly asked. “Only two?”
Sam pleaded. “Shelly, you know that’s not me, right? I just like to play golf. Fuck their politics.”
“You know I love ya, Sam. But change starts with folks like you. Remember that next time you want to sponsor a member.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“That explains why we’re not busy,” Tucker said, steering back to the topic. “A wedding and a club supper. Guess we will get out of here early, Shel.”
“Hey! Did I just hear we’re shutting down?” It was Ben, sticking his head out of the kitchen. “Y’all gotta let me know these things. It takes me a minute.”
Tucker gave Sam his change and Sam stuffed the bills into the nearest tip jar. “You guys have a good night.”
“Thanks, Sam. Y’all too.” Tucker turned to Ben. “I need two cheeseburger meals to go. Then, start breaking things down. Sam’s right. There’s no sense in staying here. I think we’ve seen what we’re going to see as far as traffic tonight. I’ll lock the doors.”
Shelly gave Tucker a sly glance. “Two meals, huh?”
“Would you stop? He’s gotta eat.”
* * *