The Troubleshooter: Jan 2

Thursday

Jan 2

Another year.

I told Keith to take a hike. We got together on New Year's Eve, like we planned. I drank a couple of beers, but I wasn't in the mood to get drunk. Keith kept badgering me. "Why aren't you drinking more? Don't you want to have fun?" Well, the main reason I wasn't drinking was because I had my weapon on me. Todd drilled into my head: never mix alcohol and weapons. Too much risk. I had my gun on me because the place where the party was held was in one of the worst districts in the city. God, the litter was horrible. Needles everywhere. Some of the saddest whores I've ever seen working the corners. People yelling. Gunshots constantly. I tried to tell Keith we should leave, but he wouldn't listen.

So we went. As far as parties go, it was okay. A lot of drinking. A lot of drugs. People slipping off into back rooms for sex. Nothing unusual. Keith was Mr. Octopus. I told him to knock it off once. He didn't. I told him to fuck off the second time. He didn't. He thought he'd slap me around, too.

We had a quiet talk in the corner. He changed his mind about hitting me and apologized profusely. Probably had something to do with me pressing a nine millimeter under his chin. I left the party after that. I think I'll stay away from guys for a while. I have another job next week. Someone wants me to steal something.