The smell of alcohol and hot bodies filled Sadie's nostrils as she walked into Leroy's that night. Pete and Jackson had the crowd worked into the usual midnight frenzy as she elbowed her way to the bar. "Hey Leroy." she gasped, as a fast-moving couple bounced off her shoulder and laughed their way back to the dance floor.
Leroy nodded towards her and poured her a drink, casually watering down the already pale liquor before he set it in front of her. He watched her take the drink and wind her way through the crowd. Pete caught sight of her and nodded, and when song ended, Sadie worked her way in-between the seated man and the piano.
Now when you feel that jump--an' your skin begin to crawl
You can bet your bottom dollar--'nother mules been kickin' in your stall
You can never tell--what on your man's mind
He can be huggin' and kissin' you--an' quittin' you at the same time
So if you wan' your man--keep him by your side
If he flags my train--sho'nuff gonna let him ride

As he watched her, something gripped Leroy's heart, more kin to sadness than anything, but there was pride there too. That girl could shine. He made his mind up then and there that something was going to change, but for all that Leroy was wrestling with, Sadie was oblivious.
He'll spend your dough--drink your gin
He'll roll an' he'll tumble an' he'll crawl back in
That's the stuff ya gotta watch
That's the stuff ya gotta watch
That's the stuff ya gotta watch if you don' wanna lose your man

She finished with the boys for the moment, and laughing, Sadie walked down past the bar and into the kitchen, aiming for the back door and some fresh air. She stood in the doorway, fanning herself with a piece of newsprint in an attempt to catch some of the summer breeze, when she noticed the old man in the kitchen. He was up to his elbows in soapy water, and was washing glasses like a machine.
"Hey.... I said, Hey, old fella. Do I know you?"
The old man looked up, gazed at Sadie for a moment before returning to his work and answering, "No'm, I don't believe you do."
Sadie smiled to herself and pressed on: "Well, my name is Sadie." and when the old man paid no heed, she continued with "And your name is?"
The man continued washing and simply grunted "Elroy."
Being too far into the bottle to be offended at his bad manners, Sadie fanned herself for a few more minutes before returning to the bar.

"Wow, Leroy, that dishman you got is one helluva talker..." she grinned as she poured herself another whiskey.
Leroy took the glass from her hand and replied "Girl, why don't you be worryin' about yourself instead of what that man be doin'?"
Sadie watched the glass travel in Leroy's hand, then she laughingly reached out and snatched the bottle off the bar, scooting back out onto the floor before Leroy could catch her.

When they locked the door last night, Sadie stumbled along the walk, singing to herself. Leroy put his arm around her shoulder and muttered, "C'mon girl, I'll walk you home." To which Sadie replied: "You're a niiiiish mannnnn."

Sadie drifted off to sleep with SweetPea's breath in one ear, and the dull rumble of conversation from the kitchen in the other.

Odetta softly closed the door, and as she turned said "I swear, that girl was asleep before she hit the pillow."
Leroy only looked at her solemnly, sitting at the table with his strong arms crossed in front of him. "'Detta, how long you gonna let this mess go on?"
"Mess?" she asked innocently
With that, Leroy stood so quickly that the chair clattered behind him. He stomped quickly to the mantle and took down Odetta's bible, shaking it over the kitchen table. The letters drifted out like feathers, landing softly among the dinner dishes. "What is this?" he counted out the letters as he picked them up "One--two--three--four.....Four letters she done got from that boy, and you ain't tole her nothin', have you?"
Tears filled the woman's eyes as she whispered, "It'll pass."
Leroy softened at the sight of her, and walked over to put his arms around her. "Woman, you know I love you, but I love that girl too, like she was my own, and I'm tellin' you that this ain't right. You gotta tell her."