#earnedstripes01

   “ just so you know ---- you stick out like a sore thumb in any room you’re in. ”  realizes that sounds ---- wrong,  and not at all in the tone that she intended despite her flat effect,  so she shakes her head and waves the bartender over for another cola. “ that being said,  never expected to see you in hell’s kitchen of all places.  thought you were more brooklyn.”  

    she recognizes him immediately.   hopefully,  he wasn’t trying to hide  --  at least not in plain sight.  you don’t enter a shop like mother’s touch on sugar hill dressed like -- that, at least.  and not in that rough of shape.  the three o’clock lull has, luckily, ensured he’s the only client inside,  and she wonders vaguely if he’s just trying to keep busy.  leaning over the counter,  she speaks.  “do you need something for pain?  i just need to know if your skin is bulletproof or not.”