Right 78 by Toycoon
There was no doubt, Leroy Tippens was in a lot of pain. It was a toxic combination of alcohol, shame, frustration, humiliation and rejection and it hurt like a bastard. All he could think of is how stupid he felt, laying on the ground in that way among the pieces of the wooden table, the spilled punch and the party snacks. Even the effects of mash whiskey had worn off by now. Leroy's nose was broken by a left hook in front of all the guests at the dance and by a woman, no less. Leroy sat on the hospital bed in his damp, filthy, rented tuxedo and wondered how he came to be in this predicament. His grandpa and grandma would be angry that he was in trouble again. An older, matronly woman with graying hair, the nurse on duty was tending to Leroy's broken nose but there was little she could do for the boy's internal wounds. The nurse gently patted the edge of the gauze bandage, cocked her head, then stood back to admire her work. Leroy was quite a sight with all the bandages on his face and the frosting smeared on his coat. She steadied Leroy's face with her hands and declared, "Well young man, that oughta stay put for the night. The doctor wants to see ya back on Tuesday. No more drinkin' for tonight, ya hear me now." Leroy just nodded his head. The nurse put her hand on his broad shoulder and rubbed it softly, then gathered up her supplies and walked away.
"Nobody gets away with that shit', thought Leroy, rubbing his throbbing head and still thinking of the humiliation he suffered at the party. "Nobody." The pain of the swollen nose was starting to set in. "Especially, a little nobody like Raquel' She ain't got no right ta' slug me like that. Alan! Gimme a sip uh that whiskey!" He glanced over to Alan who had come to offer Leroy, a ride home. Alan had just dropped off his 'date' from the dance and noticed that the light was on at Katie's shop. He told Leroy that he'd overheard Raquel mention that she, Ennis, Jack and Katie were all going to Katie's shop, 'Preen' to continue the party. Leroy took a big gulp of the whiskey and wiped his mouth. He handed the bottle back to Alan, who took a smaller swig then put it back in his tuxedo pocket. "Ya know what?" blurted out Leroy. "We're gonna go over there ta Katie's shop and continue the party, too! I gotta little unfinished business wit' them!" Alan looked worried. Leroy had a raging temper. Leroy had seen it many times and it scared him. Alan had already said too many personal things that he should have never said about Jack, Ennis and about himself. He was in deep now. "Leroy, the doctor said you shouldn't drink no more, c'mon lemme take you home. I promise to make you feel good, OK?" Alan mopped the beads of sweat forming on his forehead with the sleeve of his jacket.
Leroy lunged at Alan, grabbing him by his shirt collar, yanking him up then shook him violently. "Listen to me you little queer, I'm gonna get that goddamn bitch, Rockie, she'll be sorry! " he hissed. "First, yer gonna drive me by my house to get my gun, then we gonna take a ride over ta that shop." Leroy's eyes glowed with venomous fury. "She's gonna pay for what she done alright!"
Uh-oh, I don´t like this guy. The good thing about being so far behind with reading is that I don´t have to wait for the next one now...
Oscar, you are one of my heroes. Marie is the other.