At first, she was scared. Frightened by the man next to her. I won’t bite, he said. Roll over on your side. She turned her blonde hair away from him. Now scoot next to me, he told her. At first, she resisted. Frank placed his arms around Meg, and both laid there straight as a board. Loosen up. Come on now. Make me feel like you care.

Meg stared at the wall. She could feel him unbutton her jeans. She continued staring.

I’m not going to hurt you, Frank said. Not in a million years. All you gotta do is just lie there next to me. I just want to feel your skin, he said, pulling on her sweater. There you go. There you go.

Got anything for me? she asked.

Like what?

Smoke. Crack. Some brown shit. Maybe some wine.

Let me lie here with you, and when we wake up, I’ll get you something.

So, no. You don’t have anything.

I got some food. Unless Ben ate it all.

Get out of here, she started kicking like a mule. Go on. Get.

I’m not going anywhere. Let’s get some sleep.

You know the rules.

Yeah. I know the rules. I’m short this month.

What? You gotta mortgage to pay? Get out and don’t come back until you get something.

Frank got off the mattress. He looked at her back. Her neck, in particular.

Whatcha looking at?

Nothing. Just nothing.