Ronnie sat at the bar, pointing at her empty glass. The bartender with the barbed wire tattoo around her arm came over and poured out another drink for her. Ronnie smiled and nodded as she took another swig.
Ronnie was hanging out at Maddie's, the lesbian bar that she and Jolene made as their favourite hangout. Ronnie was chatting with Lauren, a girl they saw there frequently. Jolene was off having a laugh with some of the other women at another table.
"How was the wedding?" asked Lauren, trying to be heard over the noise.
"God, it was awesome," gushed Ronnie. "Jo was threatening to wear a tuxedo, but I think she was just teasing. Besides, she more girly than I am, and she wanted a proper dress this time." She got her phone out and scrolled through her photo album. "Look!" She leaned over and let Lauren see the portrait shots.
"Oh, wow!" exclaimed Lauren. "You two look great!"
"Yeah, and my dad was super excited to walk me down the aisle," said Ronnie with a smile. "I was lucky he liked Jolene so much."
"Where did you end up going after?" asked Lauren.
"The Cook Islands," replied Ronnie. "Swear to God, I never heard of the place until Jo suggested it. I have a ton of pictures on there."
Lauren swiped through, her mouth wide as she saw the pristine beaches. "Man, that is
nice
!" She swiped over as her eyes bugged out. "Oh my God, Ronnie! That's a bikini?"
Ronnie leaned over, then laughed when she saw it. "Oh, yeah. I figured I would try to get a little sun."
"Is that thing even legal to wear outside?" Lauren could not get her eyes torn away from the phone.
"Well, there was one woman who didn't seem to mind," said Ronnie flirtatiously as she took another sip of her drink. "I mean, for those few times we actually left the hotel room."
Lauren laughed as she gave Ronnie back her phone. "Post some of those photos," she suggested.
Ronnie was about to take another drink when she felt an arm reach around her neck, as if holding her in a choke hold. The hold was gentle, but still creeped her out. At first she just assumed it was Jolene, but she glanced down and saw the tattoo along the forearm.
"Uh, hi?" said Ronnie, still looking forward. "Can I help you?"
"I've been watching you all night," the woman whispered into Ronnie's ear. "Maybe we can get away and talk?"
Ronnie went to turn around on her stool, which made the stranger break her grip on Ronnie. Lauren watched on, unsure of what to do.
"First off, don't put your hands on people when they haven't asked, okay?" Ronnie kept her cool but was clearly annoyed. "Second, I'm here with someone, and she wouldn't appreciate you putting your hands on me. So, how about you get lost?"
The woman smiled. She had bright pink hair buzzed down and a heavy build. She was dressed with a denim sleeveless vest with chains hanging off of it. She leaned in and put her hand on the bar, leaning her arm near Ronnie. "Baby, she sounds like a bit of an idiot for leaving you alone in a place like this."
"Well, let's find out, then," responded Ronnie, raising her hand and looking off in the distance. Within a few seconds, Jolene walked up and looked the woman over. The strange woman stood up and moved her arm away.
"Darling?" said Jolene. "Is everything all right here?"
Ronnie pointed to the pink-haired woman. "She's bothering me."
Jolene furrowed her brow, then turned to the pink-haired woman. "I suggest you find your companionship elsewhere," stated Jolene, then gave the woman a shove on her shoulder. The woman stumbled back two steps.
Jolene turned her attention to Ronnie. "Are you all right, dear?"
Ronnie was about to reply when she saw the fist strike Jolene in the face. Jolene stumbled down, almost knocking Lauren off her stool. Jolene held her face as she slumped down onto the floor.
Ronnie's mouth hung open as she saw the pink-haired woman holding up her fists. The woman did not appear in fantastic shape, but she did appear to be stocky enough to pack a punch.
"Fuckin' vanity muscles," the woman teased.
Ronnie snarled as she grabbed for her glass. "You fuckin'
bitch
!" She tried to toss the glass at the woman's head. The pink-haired woman ducked in time before the glass made contact, instead hitting the bar floor. Ronnie stood up and swung her arms wildly at the woman.
Lauren spun around and then back to Ronnie. "Cobra's coming!"
Cobra was the two hundred and fifty pound bouncer at Maddie's. Jolene would have never messed with her on her best day. Cobra stomped over and grabbed Pink Hair by the arm, pinning her still. "You're outta here," she declared in her deep voice.
Ronnie got down on her knees to help up Jolene. Jolene was crying and holding the left side of her face.
"You too," said Cobra to Ronnie.
"Hey, we didn't do anything!" Ronnie got Jolene to her feet. The bartender came over with a white towel. Ronnie put it to Jolene's face to catch the blood.
"Out," said Cobra.
Cobra threw Pink Hair out, then made sure that Ronnie and Jolene were gone as well. Ronnie continued to hold onto Jolene as they walked out to the curb. "You can come back in three months," said Cobra. "I see you before that, I'll do worse."
Pink Hair stood thirty feet away, holding up two middle fingers. "I'm gonna get you bitches," she warned. "Fuck with my bar? You better watch yourselves." She turned and walked off.
Ronnie called for a ride share, then looked at Jolene's eye. "It's still bleeding," Ronnie said. "Keep it held on."
What shocked Ronnie the most was just how quickly Jolene was victimized. She was too used to Jolene being such a great pillar of strength, and was able to intimidate most people.
