ONLY POST ORIGINAL WORKS!
"So... how much for the girl?"
I've dealt with punks like this one before, but I've never been this desperate - it shows in my voice.
"Sorry man, no can do."
"Come on, don't fuck with me - how much?"
Anger spews from my throat, I won't risk losing the girl. She deserves better than to live the rest of her life rotting.
"Look I told you, we ain't sellin'. Now take your ass home, old man!"
My brow furrows, I keep pressing - "Don't pretend there isn't a price; just tell me what it is, I'll pay anything! How. Much. For. The. GIRL??"
"You really think she's special, huh?"
I nod.
"Well here's the deal, man: we uh, we're about to shove off. And we're all set as-is. So frankly, I think your best bet is to go walk the docks and try to find someone else. The girl isn't going anywhere. Capisce?"
I look at the girl, pretty young thing. Just blossoming into a young woman. Beautiful. I know it'll be wrong if I take her back home with me, it wouldn't be right. But I can't help what I can't control.
"Look, there IS no one else. Now would you please listen to me, listen to reason, for a minute? She's perfect, I love her, I want to take care of her. So FUCK! How much for the girl, you son of a bitch?!"
"Nah, we're done here. Fuck you very much, have a nice life gramps. Oh, and - stay safe!"
With numb eyes and a nauseous heart, I watch the boat begin its departure - the final evacuation from our quarantined, plague-soaked island.
"I'm so sorry dear... I tried, but there was no room" I whisper between sobs, clutching my granddaughter in my arms.