by Sandra Alex
“Yo, bro!” Wade calls as the band takes a break from their set. “You want a beer?”
“No, man. Still on duty, thanks.”
Wade is my doppelganger, except that he’s two inches shorter and has darker hair like my dad. I inherited my mom’s dirty blonde locks. We are the youngest of five boys, Jack, Garrett, and Dalton being the three older boys. Wade is five years my junior. Our brothers don’t live far from here; in South Carolina. “Well, I’m having one, and I’m still on duty.”
Taking a pull from his beer, he speaks softer, with the pre-recorded music playing lower through the small speakers flanking the dance floor. “Why didn’t you smack that guy out?”
Giving him a ‘how-stupid-are-you?’ look, I lean my shoulder on the wall and cross one leg over the other. “You know why, moron. Ralph’s just a drunk. He won’t hurt anyone.”
“I’m not talking about Ralph, stupid. I’m talking about Cheetah.”
I roll my eyes as a woman walks by me, towards the washroom, and winks. Wade follows her gaze as he sizes her up. “Great rack.”
“Cheetah I’d never touch on account of Paul. We would lose our license in a heartbeat if I ever showed that loser what I really thought of him.”
Bingo opens the door and motions to me to come over. Maggie has arrived and needs help bringing Ralph to her car. Me, Bingo and Wade carry the intoxicated man out, while the other two bouncers keep watch. “I promise you I’ll keep my eye on him. Lord, he must have walked from home. We had a big fight and all. It’s my fault. I’m sorry, Colton.”
“It’s okay, Maggie. Make sure he sleeps on his side and keep a garbage can next to him.” I advise.
“You didn’t have to hit him, did you?”
“No, Ma’am. But he gave Liz a good shove.”
Her look is apologetic. “Please tell her I’m sorry. I’ll make it right, I promise.”
Ralph is lengthwise in the back of the car as Maggie slides into the driver’s side. As we watch Maggie pull away, I see a car pull up with Florida license plates. “I’ll head back in.” Wade says. “You alright?”
“Fine. I’ll be in in a minute.” I say, waving him off. Bingo has already returned to his post at the front door. The small, red Ford Focus makes a round in the parking lot and comes to the entrance.
A brunette rolls down the window and asks, “I’m sorry to bother you, but do you work here?” The woman is tanned, with long brown hair and glasses. She doesn’t have that flirtatious glint in her eyes that most women do. Her gaze is sincere, almost worried. She looks like an angelic librarian. For as long as I can remember, no woman has stirred my insides the way that this beauty is. After what I’ve been through in the last five years, I thought I’d never be able to feel real attraction to anyone again.
“Yes, I do. Can I help you?”
“Is Liz in there? There’s no parking and I didn’t want to park in a fire zone.”
“She is. Can I get a message to her?”
“If you wouldn’t mind. Can you tell her that Julia is here and that I’ll meet her in the parking lot when she’s done? She said she was finished at one and it’s almost that now.”
Liz doesn’t drive and she usually gets a ride with Nelly, one of the other waitresses. “Sure, I can tell her.”
“Thanks.”
As I walk back into the bar, I quickly approach Liz. “There’s a girl named Julia outside waiting for you. She wanted me to tell you that.”
Relief washes over Liz’s face. “Oh, thank God. Her phone must have died on her way here. I haven’t heard from her all day.”
A question is burning inside me, but I don’t dare ask.
“I’ll go clear out my till.” Liz sets down the last of the drinks on the tray and begins walking towards the cash register at the bar. I follow her. “You sure you’re okay? I mean, from Ralph pushing you?”
“I told you I’m fine. That’s the least of my worries right now, Colton.” She swiftly places the bills and loose change that remains in her apron into the cash drawer. “I don’t want to burden you with my troubles, but I’ll tell you, I’m in a real pickle right now.”
The question still burns in my mind.
I watch her count her tips and put them in her handbag, which she keeps below the bar.
Wade is playing a soft ballad. Lord knows where he got the pipes he has. Neither of my parents could sing, and I couldn’t sing my way out of anything. He was inspired by anyone from Jeff Healey to Blue Rodeo and anything in between. Some day he’ll be a star, I’m sure. He’s worked long and hard enough. Talented? He certainly is.
Liz adds her numbers to the ledger and slides her purse over her shoulder. “Thanks for earlier, with Ralph, I mean.”
“No problem. You better get on out there to Julia. She’s waiting for you, and it’s late. You girls be careful getting home.”
“We will. Thanks.” She says as I watch her walk out of Mingles.
I’ve served in the military and fought battles I never dreamed I’d have the balls to fight. I’ve got all the tattoos and muscles I’d ever need in the world and I haven’t got the courage to ask a simple question.
…who is she?
***
It’s just past two in the morning. All hands are on deck to clean up the bar, including me. Despite my burning eyes and aching feet, I mop the spilled beer and spirits off the dance floor, while the other waitresses wipe down the tables. Wade and his bandmates are packing up their instruments, and Blake, the bartender, is wiping down the bar and taking inventory of alcohol, when the phone rings. “It’s for you, Colton.” Blake shouts.
I don’t make a habit of carrying my cell phone on me at work, so if anyone needs to contact me, they have to call the bar. “This is Colton.” I answer.
“Hey, Colton. Sorry to bother you. It’s Charles.”
Charles, my neighbor, is an older gentleman. Widowed, he lives alone, and he often watches my place for me while I’m at work. “Listen, that pack of crazy ones are lurking around your place again. They’re carrying on just like the last time. Thought I’d let you know.”
“Thanks, Charles. I’ll be home shortly anyhow.”
“I know as much. Just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Appreciated.”
I hang up the phone and don’t see Wade. “Yo, Blake. I gotta hit the road. Tell Wade for me, alright?”
“Will do.” Blake is drying a glass. He nods once.
As I salute everyone on the way out, I see Wade loading his truck. “You outta here, brother?”
I sigh, placing my hands in my pockets. “Something like that. Seems Cheetah’s up to his old antics over at my place again. Charles just called me to let me know.”
Chuckling, Wade shakes his head in disbelief. “Lord, I don’t know who’s more of a fool. Him for keeping on trying to mess with you, or you for still working at this low-down place for so long. Tell me, brother, why don’t you call it quits and get the hell out of here? You’ve got clowns following you and harassing you day in and day out, and for what? Set yourself free, man, and go do something you love.”
Clapping Wade on the shoulder, I say. “Little brother, when you’re done here, so am I.”
“I don’t see no record deal coming my way, do you?”
I shrug. “You never know.”
As I begin walking towards my car, Wade takes my arm. “Hey, you’re not going to do anything stupid are you? With Cheetah, I mean.”
“Na. I just don’t want him scaring Charles or the horses.”
Giggling, Wade leans in. “You’re not going to do the same thing you did the last time, are you?”
As I walk away, I wink. “Like I said. You never know.”
Chapter 3
Julia
The drive to North Carolina is beautiful, despite the circumstances. As I say goodbye to palm trees and fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk-hot temperatures, I realize, sometimes in life you have to weigh the odds. After receiving a distressed call from my sister,
I had to go. Dad gave me the same advice he gave Liz thirteen years ago when she left: leave and forget about support. Somehow, poverty seemed trivial compared to what my sister was going through. She needed me, and ironically, I needed her, too.
As I drive, I think about the movie Frozen, and how those girls were there for each other. That’s like Liz and me. We manage to remain close, even though we live four hours away from each other, and she’s been disowned since she decided thirteen years ago to elope and keep the baby born out of wedlock. Mom left when we were kids and married some Puerto Rican. We’ve barely heard from her since. Dad never remarried, but then he’s married to the business, which is half the reason I’m guessing why Mom left. Granny Abbott helped raise Liz and I when Mom flew the coop for Puerto Rico. Granny died a few years ago.
Liz made some bad choices in life, especially when she met Grant. Expecting, she had to sacrifice her education in exchange for motherhood, which is why she was stuck waitressing at a bar for a living. Grant never encouraged her to go to school and do something any better. Then again, he never made much more than minimum wage with the mediocre jobs he had over the years. Her pride, and my father, never let me pitch in and help, even though I had more than I ever needed. This whole situation was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back. Enough. It’s time to help her.
Pulling up to Mingles, I can see what she means by it being a very happening place. There is not one parking spot to be found, and I’ve driven through the lot twice. What is not very encouraging is the scene I witness upon my arrival. Two men are stuffing another man, who is as limp as a dead goldfish, into a small sedan. Great. The woman who is on the sidelines looks as impressed as I feel. Lucky her. She gets to take the drunkard home. Just when you think your life is the pits…
After doing another round in the lot, the dial-a-ride is gone, so I reluctantly pull up to the front door, where one of the men remains. He looks like he’s going to ask me for identification. Nervous, I roll down my window to speak to him. The portico is well lit, and the double doors in front are wide open. Music pours out from inside the bar. Few people are milling around outside. The man who approaches my window is wearing a dark purple t-shirt with the Mingles logo on it, so I know it’s safe to talk to him. Leaning over so he can hear me over the din, I can see many tattoos bordering the cuff of his t-shirt. He has big blue eyes and lashes that go on and on. His full mouth frames a good set of white teeth. Wavy, dirty blonde hair, kept longer front and back, borders his face perfectly. A thin line of sweat beads across his forehead, causing stray hairs to curl.
His smile seems perfunctory but well-mannered, and his speech is smooth and genuine. Although he isn’t as big as King Kong standing at the front door, this man has large, corded arms, and his shirt hangs over his well-toned chest, just level with his pant line. He’s tall and lean but looks imposing. When I ask him to get a message to Liz, he obliges immediately. I watch him walk into the bar with a strong, confident gait. He probably makes a fantastic bouncer. Nobody would want to mess with him.
I remain in that spot, since there aren’t any others, until I see Liz approaching the door. Happy to see her, I leap out of the car and give her a big hug. “Sorry I didn’t call. My phone died just as I left West Virginia. I couldn’t find the charger, I left in such a rush.”
“That’s okay, I’m just glad you’re here.” My kid sister says. Her blonde hair is slicked back into a pony tail, which hangs just below her bra line. She has on a dark purple shirt with the Mingles logo on the left breast, and a pocket on the right. Her purple linen pants are soiled in the seat. Faded pink lipstick shines dull on her mouth, and she’s broken a nail. “I know.” She sighs, “I look like hell. Had a bad night. Some drunk shoved me to the ground.” She feigns a smile as she walks to the passenger side door and slides into the car. “I got some great tips, though. Fifty bucks.”
Ten minutes later we pull up to her rental home. Quaint and cute, she has flowers in pots lining her windowsills that flank double-paned glass windows on either side of the front door. The door to the bungalow has a half window and is painted a teal blue color, matching the windowsills and frames. The roof is dark grey, and a chimney is clear from the back. There is a single car garage and there are no cars in the driveway. “Nathan’s probably still up.”
“You let him stay up this late?”
She lowers her gaze. “He’s thirteen, Jules. Did you go to bed before two o’clock in the morning when you were thirteen?”
“Well…yeah.”
“That’s because you were a nerd.”
I give her a playful shove. “Give me a hand with my bags.”
The house is quiet except for the faint sound of music coming from the back. The home is open concept, with the eat-in kitchen directly to the left, and the living room on the right. A round, wooden table for four sits in the centre of the galley-style kitchen. A television set in between a set of two bookcases is displayed on the long wall in the living room. In front of the television is a three seated couch, a loveseat, and an end chair. Beyond the living/dining and kitchen area is a hallway that leads to the back rooms. We set my bags down at the front door. “Nate?” Liz calls. “I’m home. I’ve got a surprise for you.” She winks at me and mouths, “he doesn’t know you’re here.”
Nate walks down the hall, unimpressed, as though the last time she’d announced a surprise, it turned out to be a set of dish towels. His dark brown hair is a mess of curls. He keeps it short, almost bald in the back and sides, and too long on top. It looks like it hasn’t been brushed in a couple of days. Nate is tall, at least a head taller than Liz, and very slender. If Granny Abbott were alive, she’d be force-feeding him her famous homemade bread. When he sees me, he forces a smile, “Hey Aunt Julia. What are you doing here?”
“I have the summer off, so I came for a visit.” I lie.
He gives me a hug, or half a hug. It is him draping his arm over my shoulder and leaning over me. He barely touches me. “I’m going to bed.” He says to his mother, and she playfully pats his behind.
“You hungry? Want some tea?” Liz asks, forever the hospitable.
“No, I’m fine. Where am I sleeping?”
“Well, you can sleep with me, or you can take the couch. Whatever you like. I need to have a shower. Make yourself at home; you know where everything is.”
Leaving me at my resources, I search through my bags and find my phone charger, stuffed in between my toiletry case and my shoes. After plugging in my phone, I pull my toiletry case out, looking for my toothbrush. As my knuckles brush past my toothpaste, I knock into a soft velvet box. Opening it, I remember that I brought my engagement ring. The Rock, as Mary calls it, sits pretentiously in the case, as though laughing at me. This jewel is way more than I asked for, and so not me it’s ridiculous. Granny Abbott bought me a birthstone ring when I was ten; dainty and delicate, I loved it more than any other jewelry I’d received since. It still sits on my right ring finger. It’s been sized a few times since age ten, but it is still as beautiful as the day I got it.
The Rock had been appraised at twenty-five thousand dollars, for insurance purposes. The princess cut and clarity are impeccable. I slide it in my back pocket, with an idea in mind, as I grab my toothbrush and paste and get ready for bed.
Thirty minutes later, Liz and I lay in her bed, sleep betraying us. We laugh at some old jokes, and then Nate knocks on the door and asks us to be quiet. He planned on going to school, after all, but Liz said it was unlikely.
“Does Nate know Grant’s gone?”
“He’ll figure it out.”
“Liz. Don’t you think you owe him an explanation?”
“About the same one I got, yes. What do you want me to do? Make something up? I’m not going to lie to my son.”
“Well, of course you’re not going to lie to him, I’m not saying that. But at least tell him what you know.”
Sighing, exasperated, Liz flops her head on the pillow. “Now I understand why cer
tain people don’t get involved with the opposite sex.”
“What do you mean?”
“I threw away thirteen years for Grant. Let’s not even get into what happened with you and John, and just about everyone I know at work has some story about getting shafted by a member of the opposite sex.”
“We really need a new set of friends.” I tease. “Hey, let’s be gay.”
“Stop.” She laughs.
As I lay on the bed in my clothes, I feel the velvet box poking into my butt. “You ever want to do something more with your life? Like go to school? You always talked about getting into culinary arts. Do you ever think about that anymore?”
She blows a puff of air out. “Yeah, right. Remember, you’re the one that got all the money to go to school. You’re the one who’s the teacher.” She lifts a defensive hand. “I’m not blaming you or anything. I made my own bed and now I’ve got to lie in it, I get that. But…getting an education isn’t an option for me. Especially now with Grant gone. I don’t even know how I’m going to pay for this place.”
“Well, you have a roommate now. I can help pay the bills.”
“Thanks. And I’m not too proud to ask for it, either.” She elbows me.
Reaching into my back pocket, I hand her the ring box. “What’s this?” she gasps, feigning excitement. “Oh, is this a gift? Like the fake ring you gave me when you were eight? When you asked me to marry you after Desmond, that kid you had a crush on, rejected you?”
I’d completely forgotten about Desmond. “No, just open it.”
Sitting up, she opens the box. “Um, I’ve seen this before. Why are you giving me your engagement ring?”
“It’s worth about twenty-five grand. I want you to take it and go to school.”
Her eyes widen. “What? Are you serious?”
“I’m completely serious. You deserve an education and a proper job, too. You’ll probably have to stay at the bar for a while or get another job for a while to pay the bills, but I want you to have a great job like I do.”