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No, it was best to go along to get along

“All right, I have to go back to my room,” I said “Thanks for the drink Sorry, I can’t finish that cigar”

“That’s okay,” he shrugged “I’ll save the rest of it for you for next tis dry, they last forever”

He snipped off the ends and put it in a plastic case I went back to ht - TracianneAfter days of nothing but Internet, I greeary What day was it? Had I been locked in for a week yet? Jesus, I’ out of my mind!

“Hey girl, what’s real?” asked Diamond over the phone

“I’rowled “I can’t take this anymore!”

“Whoa-hoa, slon Talk to me,” offered Diamond

“My stepmother is like--- All over Phil andokay? You should have so me crazy!”

“Because she’s helping her son and her husband?”

“She doesn’t help me!”

“Listen to et a hold of yourself You areyour own mother That’s what your problem is Take it from Dr Diamond”

“It’s so--- Why ary?”

“I don’t know You miss your mom and you’re frustrated Whatever you do, don’t take it out on other people, okay? That’s not gonna help anything,” Diaet out Hey, I’ht You want to coet you a date”

“You’re ten hours away in Jersey City!”

“So?”

“I’o out on a--- Wait aout?”

“Oh, fuck that noise There’s this illegal bar I know,” Diareat I think the Mafia runs it”

“What?! No! Diao there!”

“Relax They don’t bother hot girls like us,” she assured “All they do is buy us drinks and if you’re lucky--- Jewelry! Heh-heh!”

Oh, my God Why did I call Diamond of all people? She’s nuts She can’t possibly relate to all this

“Dia to see you,” I said “We’re in lockdown You have to stay in I don’t want you to get sick”

“Are you crying?”

“Yes! You’reme upset!”

“Okay, okay, I was half kidding The Mafia doesn’t really run that place, I don’t think”

“Don’t go out Please!”