Adventures at a Bar

She moves without inhibition, completely unconcerned with what her body is doing. The fact that her dancing was unaccompanied by music, makes it even more bizarre.

“She's hearing music that we can't hear.” The man in the barstool beside him says.

Jamie nods. She must be. He doesn't see any earbuds in her ears.

“She is wasted,” the man on the other side of him says, “I could hit that.”

Jamie stiffens. He, unlike his barmate, was taught respect for the opposite sex. He recalls his dad’s words like he was still here, seated beside him.

“Jamie, you must treat all women like you would want your mom or sister treated. Anything less doesn't give them the respect they deserve.”

“In fact,” the arrogant man beside him continues to brag, “I am going to go for it.”

He stands and sways, allowing Jamie to easily press him back into his barstool.

“Hey!”

Ignoring his reaction, he moves over to the lady. She still twirls around, her eyes closed, her arms held over her head. Her hair, dark brown with curls, flows like water over falls, behind her. He can't help smiling.

“Excuse me, ma’am.”

Her eyes fly open and he sees they are as amber as the whisky he was drinking.

“Ma’am! Ma’am, seriously, do I look like your mom?”

“No,” his smile broadens, crinkling his eyes, “no, but as I don't have your name…” he pauses, allowing her to offer it.

“It is Elizabeth. Why you interrupt my dancing?”

He hears it now, the slur. “My name is Jamie,” he takes her arm leading her away from the man who still eyes her. He was licking his lips causing Jamie's stomach to turn. Not today, Satan.

“Jamie,” she elongates it so it sounds like it has a few more syllables, “Wanna dance?”

“Elizabeth, there is no music.” He has led her to a booth in the back, away from the prying eyes of the perv at the stools. Now he sits her down in one, slipping in beside her, he shields her with his body.

“The music is inside. You gots to feel it.”

“How about some coffee?”

She rolls those stunning eyes. “You are no fun. Coffee is boring. It’ll sober me up.”

“Exactly.”

“No, you see,” She talks even as a waitress comes over and he orders a pot of coffee, “I came here to get drunk, wasted, bombed.”

“Who is he?” He asks after the waitress leaves.

“Jon-a-thon,” she carefully says, “he was to be my husband. Yeah, I am too be on my honeymoon right now!” She bangs on the table for emphasis, “except, he was screwing my friend, can you believe that?”

The waitress returns and sets the pot and two cups down. He pours her some and sets it before her.

“He is an ass.” He declares. She picks up the offered cup and takes a sip

“Yes! He is,” She sits the cup down, “a true ass,” her waving arms punctuate each word she says next, “Ah, she can have him! I am better off, right ?”

“Then marrying a cheater? Yes, you are.”

“Right! Right!” She takes another sip, “besides, I can still hear the music. That is something.”

He fills his own cup. “It is amazing. What does it sound like?”

She frowns, thinking.

“Hmm, it sounds like birds in early spring, they way their voices rise as they call to each other and a baby’s first laugh, all pure and honest. Like innocence, that's what it sounds like. Like the way I felt before I found out about him and her.”

He swallows. Something deep in him, lifts up. That she could still find that type of hope, it is amazing. She is amazing. Careful, he tells himself. Don't go falling for the drunk lady, drinking her ex away.

“You have a way with words, Elizabeth.”

She nods, taking another drink of the coffee. “Good, good. I am a writer. I write children ‘s books.”

“I imagine you are good at it.”

“Yes I do well enough. We would have had our own. I even had names.” He sees she is on the verge of crying. It might do her good but he would be a mess. He has never been able to handle female tears.

“I have a niece and nephew. They might have read some of your books. What are the names of your best sellers?”

She blinks the tears away and sits up straight. After another drink of the strong coffee, she says, “Autumn ‘s adventures. It is about a cat that…”

“Lives all over the city. My niece, Maggie, loves that one.”

Her eyes light up. “Wonderful! It is what I have always wanted to do, to entertain children, as far back as being a child myself.”

“Well, Maggie is entertained. It is her favorite bedtime story.”

“You aren't just saying that to make me feel better?”

He shakes his head. “Never. I don't believe in playing those types of games.”

“A rare man you are then.”

“No, I just follow my dad's advice, and treat every woman I meet like I would want my mom or sister treated.”

“If only more followed that,” She finishes the coffee and Jamie pours her more, “trying to sober me up?”

He laughs. “Absolutely. The man I was sitting beside, he expressed ill intentions towards you. I couldn't sit back and let that happen.”

Her eyes soften. “Wow, thank you Jamie. You are a true gentleman. I probably shouldn't have gotten so drunk in public, without having someone with me. It is just the friend I would have normally brought with me…”

He gets that she was the one that cheated with her fiance. His eyes narrow and he takes several deep breaths before responding, “I see. I am sorry.”

“For what? It wasn't you.”

“No,” he lays his hand on hers for a second, “no but I hate that you were hurt like that.”

She swallows and her eyes tear up, “Yes the double betrayal was shattering,” She picks the coffee back up, “part of me is glad it happened. Better now then after having Claire and Leo.”

“Yes,” he takes a sip of his own, “nice names.”

“I am good at names, I better be,” She sighs, looking down into the darkness of her coffee, “he betrayed them too. Now they won't be born.”

“Not to him but, Elizabeth, there are more men out there. More fish in the sea. Not all are sharks.”

“I know. You are right. I am just feeling sorry for myself.”

“You have the right, really,” he adds at her skeptical look, “at least a little bit. You are mourning what could have been. It is allowed.”

“Are you a counselor or something?”

He chuckles. “Nah, I make whiskey. My family runs a brewery.”

“Close enough.” They both laugh and it feels good.

“You are thinking of a bartender.”

She acknowledges this with a wave of her hand. “Whatever your profession, you are easy to talk to. I am glad you were here tonight.”

“Me too.”

Did he take her home and they live happily ever after? Nope. Life isn't a fairytale. A year later though, they run into each other again. This time at a bookstore where she is signing copies of her latest book. She recognizes him right away.

His eyes light up as he brings Maggie up to her.

“You are my favorite writer!” The little girl squeals.

“Maggie.” Her eyes get huge.

“She knows my name.” She whispers to her uncle.

“Yes, because your Uncle Jamie has told me all about your love for Autumn and her adventures.”

“Too cool!” She writes a special note in

the front of Maggie's book.

After the book signing, they go out for coffee. They talk for hours.

Two years later, Claire is born.

The end.