Page 10 of Wishful Thinking

“No worries, she’s abeautiful woman. Got a girl holed up in my heart, though, and until I find out that we won’t happen, I’m not giving up the dream for anyone else. Lacey issafe from my attention. Stella thought I should meetfolks my age while I’m down working, that’s all.”

Angel seemed pacified by his response and poured himself another beer out of the tap. He plopped a sliced orange into it and took a swig.

“We’ve gota great band playinghere tonight. You should both come on down. I’m charging a cover though. Flying themin from the mainlanddidn’t come cheap. Five bucks, but you get a free drink with admission. They’re a rock/cajun fusion ensemble from Miami and are hitting the clubs hard. Sold-out shows happening everywhere. I caught them a few months ago. I know they’re going places, so thought I could get them in here before they get too big. The Elementals. Ever heard of them?” Sal nodded and smiled.

“Yeah, they’re hot right now. That must have costa bundle? I’d love to pop down, what time?” Angel reached behind the bar and handed him a quarter-page make-shift flyer. They printed the picture of the band and bar emblem in bright tropical colors. Seven o’clockstartingtime, but the suggestion wasto get there early. Sal saw that the bar wasn’t enormous.

“Don’t worry, we’re roping off the parking lot for the overflow of people. You can see and hear itfrom the lot if you comelate. Had to do it. Gotta make enough to pay the band. I expect a bunch of the tourists to show, dropped off a shit-ton of flyers at the Paradise Arms and the Flamingo’s Hutch further down.” Sal tucked the paper in his pocket and finishedhis beer. Stella glanced over.

“You ready to hit the road sure shot?” Sal jumped off the stool, shook Angel’s hand again, and they moved towards the car.

“Iwant toshoot thewall mural. There will be too many people in the way tonight. Maybe they can use it in the calendar, hey, you never know.” He took a few shots as Stella moved towards the car. Angel waved from the bar and Sal hopped in beside Stella.

The bungalows were only a quarter of a mile down the street and Stella pulled up to drop Sal off.

“I’m not sure if I’m heading there or not, most likely not, though. I hate crowds. But I hope you venture down, sounds like a good time. Don’t forget, it’s a quick walk and if you drink too much, you won’t have to worry. Never mind, you don’t have a car and if you’re chugging them, you’re not borrowing mine. Besides, won’t be anywhere to park. Catch you later sure shot, have fun.”

He waved, watching as she drove the few houses down to the yella fella. Walking into the humid house, realized he’d forgotten to turn the airdown and it felt sticky. He kicked it down a few notches to seventy-seven degrees from eighty-two and sat down on the couch. Moving through the pictures he’d taken, he smiled to find he’d gotten a shot of Willie’s naked ass. Stella had her hand in just the right position where it looked like she was tweaking his junk. Sal laughed and wondered if he should show her it when he saw her next.

The beer and humidity made him tired.He lay his head back on the couch, his mind moving from Laceys uniquebeauty to Belle. There was no comparison. Sal drifted off into a restless sleep.

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