A Lonely Sky

by Linda Schmalz

  But Kim had a point, too. If nursing school loomed on the horizon, carefree times like this would soon be scarce. Kim was attending Southern Illinois University in the fall, hours away from Chicago’s Loyola University where Julia would study. They needed to make the most of the time they had left together.

  She gently laid her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m on vacation, sort of. Right?”

  “Right.” A bit of hope edged Kim’s voice.

  “And away from Dad, and he’ll never know, right?”

  “Yep.”

  Julia sat up and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll go tonight.”

  Kim hugged Julia. “Oh thank you, Jules! Nothing is going to happen. I promise!”

  Chapter Three

  Kim and Julia tiptoed down the old hotel cement steps to the outside door.

  Julia tried not to laugh. Dressed in black jeans and a matching hooded sweatshirt, she felt more like a bandit than a high school graduate attempting fun on the town. She had to admit, however, their escape went beautifully. Mrs. O’Brien, their chaperone, had closed her door and turned out her bedroom light early, and as soon as the girls heard her window-rattling snore, they rose from their beds, dressed quickly and slipped out the door.

  Following close behind Kim, Julia kept her head bent to shield the rain from her eyes. She could only see Kim’s feet, but she ran after as Kim followed the directions Bob gave them. When they reached their destination, they found the boys waiting by the tavern entrance.

  Kim grabbed Julia’s arm and stopped Julia short of joining the boys. “Oh God, it’s Chris.”

  “Kim, you knew he was coming. Why the sudden surprise? I’m getting rained on. Come on. Let’s go and get this over with.” Wet and nervous, Julia took Kim by the sleeve and walked over to the guys.

  “Where’s everyone else?” she said. “Inside?” A chill ran up her spine as Bob grinned.

  “Everyone else chickened out,” he said. “We’re it.”

  “I’m leaving.” She pulled Kim to the side. “I knew this wasn’t going to work. Now what? No one else came! I’m going back.”

  Kim’s face filled with panic. “Oh God, no Jules! You can’t. This is the perfect set up. I’ll have Chris to myself without the others around. You just need to keep Bob occupied for me.”

  “Are you out of your mind? I’m supposed to entertain geeky Bob in a pub? I’m risking my entire trip and also my dad’s wrath, and for what? So you can get five minutes with Chris?”

  “Yes. You know how much this means to me.”

  Julia looked from her imploring friend back to the guys. Tall, lanky and pimply Bob smiled. She wanted to vomit.

  “It’ll be like a double date,” Kim pleaded.

  “You’re not helping your case,” Julia said, but sighed. She knew how long Kim had crushed on Chris. How could she deny her best friend this opportunity? “Okay. We’ll go for a half-hour, and then we hightail it back to the hotel.”

  “Deal!”

  Julia plastered on a half-hearted smile as they rejoined the guys. “Okay, I’ll go.”

  “Cool!” Chris opened the door and the four of them walked into the tiny, medieval looking pub.

  Julia stepped out of the rain into the warmth of the dimly lit tavern. Red sconces hung on stone walls emitting soft light throughout the small room. She followed her friends down three stone steps to the main floor where several wooden tables sat. Vinyl cushioned booths lined the walls, and on the left, a long bar adorned the north wall. Patrons sat talking softly, drinking tall ales and eating from plastic baskets lined with red and white checkered paper. A few more people nursed drinks at the bar.

  “I’ll order,” Bob offered. “Beer all around?”

  Chris seemed game for alcohol. Kim hesitated at first, but then agreed. Julia realized someone would have to keep their wits and ordered a Coke.

  “Suit yourself,” Bob said. “You guys, go pick a table.”

  She followed Kim and Chris towards a corner booth. Chris settled in, flanked by Kim, leaving Julia to sit opposite them and unhappily next to Bob. He returned, carrying a tray of drinks. He slid in next to Julia, distributed the beverages and raised his stein. “Here’s to Europe and it’s fine hospitality!”

  The four friends toasted and sipped, and Bob piped up again. “And here’s to good friends!” He raised his beer and they all followed suit and drank again. Chris took a turn. “Here’s to beer!” They toasted and sipped. Kim raised her glass and toasted to their upcoming college years.

  Julia felt a bit queasy from drinking her sugary Coke so fast and wondered how Kim managed to down her beer. Kim wasn’t a partier, but obviously she’d take a dare to win her man. Julia watched as Kim flirted and hung on Chris’s every word. Julia thought of her own boyfriend back home and wondered if she acted that way when they met. She couldn’t remember. She met John right after her mother died, and things from that time seemed like a blur.

  The toasting and cheering settled down, and the talk turned to various topics about the trip. Julia relaxed, and as the drinks ran dry, she didn’t even mind when Chris bought a second round.

  A while later, Julia glanced at her watch and realized that forty-five minutes passed. So much for the half-hour stay.

  Bob stood up again. “Another round, ladies?”

  “Sure!” Kim said.

  Julia shot Kim a worried glance and pointed to her watch.

  “Oh come on, Jules. The fun is just starting!” Kim said.

  “Yeah, come on.” Bob reached over and squeezed her shoulder. Julia recoiled at his touch. “One more, Jules.”

  Julia remembered how Kim said the other kids felt she was a stick-in-the-mud. What would one more hurt? She sighed. “Okay. One more. But then we go. We propped the door of the hotel open with a small rock and I’m worried someone is going to come by and knock it out and then we’ll be stuck outside and have to call for help.”

  “Someone is a worry-wart,” Bob taunted as he walked to the bar.

  Julia startled. She came here as a favor to Kim and now she was being made fun of? She realized the beer played a role in everyone’s behavior, and she wished she could be so carefree, but fear of being caught undermined her fun.

  Bob returned with more beer.

  “Scottish Ale, me Lords and Ladies.” He attempted to bow and nearly fell over in the process. “While in Germany, do as the Scottish do!”

  Julia looked away and rolled her eyes. Kim was going to owe her big time. She watched as her three companions sipped the thick, dark beer. Kim’s face screwed up at the taste, but to Julia’s dismay, she continued to drink it.

  A half-hour later and glasses still half full, Julia again attempted to bring the party to a close. No pussyfooting around this time, she decided. “We need to get back.”

  To her chagrin, Bob placed his arm around her and pulled her close. He reeked of sour beer and deodorant gone dead. “Oh no, you don’t, Jules. Not when there’s alcohol left!”

  “We’ll go after we finish these,” Kim said, in an obvious attempt to soothe Julia.

  But Julia was past the point of believing beer soaked promises.

  She shoved Bob away from her. “I stayed longer than I wanted, Kim. I think we should go.”

  “Oh, Mommy. Do we have to?” Bob whined.

  Julia felt her face flush hot. “Move!” She pushed Bob out of the booth. “If you think this is so funny, then I’ll just walk back myself.” She scooted to the edge of the seat and stood, waiting to see if anyone would join her.

  “You know the way back?” Chris asked as he took another sip of beer. Kim simply offered her an apologetic smile.

  No one even seemed to care she was leaving! She steadied her voice. “I need directions.”

  “And we’ll give them to you.” Bob winked at Kim and Chris. “After we finish our drinks.”

  “I really don’t remember the way back either, Jules.” Kim said. “It must be the beer. Please wait for us.”

  Juli
a’s jaw tightened and she folded her arms across her chest. The thought of spending one more moment with obnoxious Bob made her skin crawl, but she knew that waiting for her friends would be wiser than ending up lost.

  “Fine. But I’m not sitting here.” There. That would show them she meant business.

  She glanced around the tavern. The place now bustled with patrons, and only a few seats at the bar remained empty. Julia dreaded sitting alone but hoped her defiant act proved how desperate she was to leave.

  She tried to appear braver than she felt. “Okay then. Fine. I guess I’ll be at the bar when you’re ready.” Feigning stoicism, she willed herself to walk away, hoping all the while her friends would change their minds.

  To her frustration, none of the three seemed to care what she did. Swallowing hard, she walked towards an empty seat at the bar. She stared straight ahead as she reached a three-legged stool. As she sat down, she wondered exactly what she thought she proved. After all, she was still in the tavern, still waiting for her friends, but now hopelessly alone.

  It was quiet at this section of the bar. To her left sat a tall, handsome man who appeared to be alone. He sipped an amber colored liquid and stared at his tumbler as if in deep thought. On her right, a young couple whispered and smiled at each other, their hands intermingling. No one noticed her. Good. She’d just sit quietly and wait for her friends.

  “Guten Abend!” With a loud bang, the wooden doors at the end of the bar swung open. A short, stout, balding man sporting a ruddy complexion, gray mustache and full beard sauntered in. He spied Julia, and placed a cocktail napkin in front of her. He smiled wide, exposing straight white teeth and spoke loud German to her.

  So much for her trek into oblivion.

  “Ich spreche German nicht.” She answered, back. Ironically, telling someone she didn’t know German was one of the very few phrases she did know.

  The bartender laughed, his thumbs hooked in his suspenders. “That okay, Fräulein,” he said in a heavy German accent. “I know that. I tease you, yah?”

  Julia blushed and hoped the dim lighting did not expose her lack of confidence.

  “He asked what you want to drink.” The man on her left spoke in a deep voice and thick, British accent.

  “So Fräulein. What you want?” The bartender waited for her order.

  She wanted to leave, but she found herself answering in a soft, weak voice. “Water?”

  “Water?” The bartender let loose a boisterous laugh causing the other patrons to glance towards the bar. Julia wanted to crawl under it and hide.

  “Water? She wants water!” The bartender laughed again as he slammed a frosty mug on the counter and filled it from a nozzle. Then, leaning in close to her, he winked and whispered. “Heimo just tease you, Fräulein. Water, good. You get my draft, no?”

  “Drift.” The British man spoke. “It is ‘drift’ old man, not ‘draft’.”

  “Okey-dokey!” Heimo laughed as he walked away through the swinging doors. Julia reached for her water.

  “You’re American then?” The Englishman turned towards her.

  So much for being alone.

  She glanced over. He was rather handsome, well dressed in dark jeans and a white Oxford shirt with rolled sleeves. His thick dark hair was neatly combed away from his face, revealing kind, light eyes. He didn’t seem drunk or lecherous, just curious.

  “You do speak English?” He waited for her answer.

  He didn’t seem to be hitting on her, but if he was, she’d make a beeline to her friends. “I’m American.”

  The man smiled. He had thin lips, and his eyes crinkled just slightly at the corners. “What brings you to this sleepy little town?”

  Julia studied his face as he spoke. His eyes were heavily browed, yet his well-defined cheekbones gave him an aristocratic look. She placed his age somewhere between his late twenties or early thirties.

  “I’m here with my church choir,” she said. “We’re touring and singing in monasteries in Germany and Austria.”

  “Ah.” The reply was simple, as if he expected her answer. He reached into the pocket of a tweed brown jacket on which he sat and pulled out cigarettes. Placing one in his mouth, he turned to her again. “Mind if I smoke?”

  “No.”

  “You?” He offered her the package.

  “No thanks.” She politely waved it away.

  He replaced the package and lit the cigarette with matches from the bar. “Enjoying your holiday then, are you?”

  Julia glanced back at her friends. Kim, Bob and Chris lifted their glasses in another toast, oblivious to her existence.

  The man turned and followed her stare. “Your friends?”

  Julia reached for her water, taking a sip. “Yeah.”

  “Why then, love, are you sitting here?”

  Julia looked back at the man. His eyes showed no pity or condensation, just concern.

  “They’re drunk.”

  “Ah.” The man took a long drag on his cigarette, and watched the exhaled smoke fade into air. “And you don’t wish to join in the frivolity?”

  Julia sighed, embarrassed to explain. “We aren’t supposed to be in a tavern, and we have to be up early tomorrow for a tour of the town and to sing at Town Hall.”

  Flicking his ashes in an ashtray, he turned and donned a mischievous smile. “Well, love, your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you were out, getting soused and fooling about.”

  “Thanks.” She allowed herself a slight smile.

  “All right then,” he continued. “Since you’re stuck with me for company, may I ask your name?”

  Julia hesitated. Despite his apparent kindness, she knew to be cautious. Before she could answer, Heimo appeared from the back room, asking if refills were needed. His eyes fell on Julia and he smiled. “I see you met Mr. Movie Star, yah?”

  “Movie star?” Julia looked at the Englishman again. He certainly possessed movie star looks.

  He drew another drag on his cigarette and winked. “Don’t listen to a word Heimo says, love. I’m no bloody movie star.”

  Heimo refilled his drink. “Don’t let him fool you, Fräulein. This is Sam Lyons!”

  Julia rolled the name over in her mind, but couldn’t place it. “Are you a European actor or something?”

  Sam chuckled low, and extinguished his cigarette. “Don’t listen to the barman.”

  The couple on Julia’s right beckoned to Heimo for more drinks. As he tended them, Julia turned to Sam. “Seriously, are you an actor?”

  “You could say that.” He looked away, as if embarrassed.

  “What do you do?”

  “Stage work, mostly. Shakespeare. That sort of thing.”

  “Don’t let him be foolin’ you, Fräulein.” Heimo returned, pouring liquor into more glasses. “He’s to be on the television.”

  “You are?” Julia found herself impressed with this handsome stranger. He lived her dream.

  Sam rolled his eyes, but laughed. “Actually, I’ve done television before, bit parts here and there.”

  Heimo talked over his shoulder as he headed to the couple on Julia’s right. “He’ll get his break soon. He’s goin’ to be in a movie. Ask him!”

  “What movie?” Julia tried to conceal her excitement.

  “Look.” Sam lit another cigarette. “I’m only up for a part. It’s a mini-series for the BBC. I don’t have the part yet and I think it’s bad luck to talk about it before I have it.” He turned to her again, his eyes kind and apologetic. “I’m not trying to give you the brush off, Miss, but I’m just superstitious that way.”

  “Believe me. I completely understand. I wanted to study acting, but-”

  “You poor, poor child.” Sam winked. “I suggest you have a drink and start drowning your sorrows early. It’s a miserable life so far. I’m ten years into it and still bloody broke.”

  Disappointment flooded Julia. The last thing she wanted to hear was how difficult the life was. She looked away unable to r
espond.

  Sam seemed to sense her quiet. “I don’t mean to discourage you.”

  She looked down at her water. “That’s okay. I hear it all the time from my father.” She rose to leave. This evening became worse by the minute. “I should see if my friends want to go.”

  His hand on her arm stopped her. “I’ve upset you.”

  Julia forced a smile. If Sam only knew how sad she really felt, he’d see what a great actress she already was. “No, it’s not you. It’s just been a long day and I need some sleep. It was nice-”

  Bob staggered up to the bar, slurring his words. “We’re gonna have just one more.”

  “You’re pretty drunk as it is,” Julia said.

  Bob nudged himself between Julia and Sam and shoved three steins towards Heimo. “One more round, my good man!”

  Julia glanced at the booth. Kim and Chris huddled together, deep in conversation and each other. She sat back down, and stared at the floor. She’d rather be anywhere than in this tavern.

  Bob scooped up the drinks. “Later.” He stumbled back to the table.

  “Look,” Sam spoke. “I could walk you back to your hotel. Where are you staying?”

  “Thank you, but I’ll just wait for my friends.” She didn’t intend her words to sound as sharp as they did. Sam looked down at his drink.

  Heimo walked over. “Fräulein, Sam is a good man, and will cause no harm to you if he walks you home.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” Sam said. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I promise you, Fräulein,” Heimo said. “Me and Sam are not in, how do you say, cahoots? Yah, cahoots. We are not in cahoots to steal your fresh American passport.”

  Julia smiled at the funny little bartender and felt reassurance in his twinkling eyes. She turned towards Sam, and sized him up again. She liked what she saw.

  “I’m staying at Friedliches Haus. Do you know where it is?”

  “Of course.” Sam smiled. “I’m not staying too far from there. I’d be happy to see you safely back.”