"You wanna drink?" Cheri got up and fussed around in the kitchen.

"Nah... thanks." Mott sat sprawled on the green-and-white-striped sateen sofa. Something felt off. He smelled danger.

Cheri poured herself a gin and tonic. "You sure?"

"I'm fine." Mott tried to concentrate on Cheri's nipples, but he felt like he was in Vietnam. "Where ya parents?"

"They went to Puerto Rico for a week." Cheri walked carefully into the living room as if her drink was filled to the top of the glass.

Mott had heard Cheri only came from eating out. This freaked him. The only girl he'd ever made come was Inez, and she was the type of chick that once she started moaning you could get up, fix a sandwich, watch the eleven o'clock news, take a piss and when you got back in bed she would still be moaning like you were never gone. A very intense personal experience.

Cheri sat down beside him.

"I'm thinkin' a becomin' a T.A. cop," he said.

"Fascinating." She gulped down the rest of her drink, swallowed a belch, shuddered and clutched Mott's thigh to brace herself.

Mott put an arm around her neck, thumb raising her chin, and lowered his face to hers. She moved her hand to his crotch. He slipped a hand in her blouse and the doorbell rang four times. Mott jumped up, almost sucking Cheri's tongue out of her head.

"What the fuck!" Cheri fumed as she strode over to the door. "Yeah?"

"Cheri, let me in."

"Oh Christ, Stony, come back tomorrow."

"Lemme in or I'll kick down the fuckin' door."

She walked back to Mott and took his clammy hand.

"Let's go in the bedroom. He'll go away."

Mott stood rigid. Stony started pounding the door. Cheri tugged on Mott's arm.

"Let 'im in." He was scared shit, but he would be more scared tomorrow if Stony split.

"What the hell for?"

"Just . . The door exploded inward, the chain lock flying into a mirror. Stony stood hunched in the foyer hissing in pain, rubbing his right shoulder.

"You!" He pointed to Mott. "Get the fuck outta here!"

"Now look..." Mott started.^ Stony lunged at him, both tumbling down on the couch. Cheri screamed curses at Stony, holding her temples, her face turning red. They held each other in bear hugs cursing, spit flying. They rolled off the couch onto the rug, snarling with frustration.

"Yah fuckin' homos!" Cheri bent down over them as she screamed. Mott kicked Stony away and scrambled to his feet.

"I'll kill ya!" Stony charged again, swinging wildly, accidentally catching Mott with a backhand across the bridge of his nose. Mott fell down, blood all over his shirt. Stony was startled by the blood and stood over him as if trying to keep his balance.

Cheri slid down next to Mott. "You fuckin' prick!" she yelled at Stony, one arm around Mott. Mott sat dazed. The pain from his nose made his eyes tear. Gingerly he touched his nose, stared fascinated at his bloody fingers.