Page 20 of A Moment In Time

There were ten local bands competing in the Battle of the Bands. It was held every year in the dining room of the Ambrose Tavern. The food service stopped at six. And the music began at seven. The bar would be busy the whole night.

Cabe was helping Paxton for the first two hours to give Gage a chance to take some photos of the contest. Then he would join them at nine. Cooper would do his usual job of bouncer. And Booker would be onsite to back him up. The contest usually ended by ten, but the bar would stay busy until closing at midnight.

Gage didn’t mind working the bar. It was a fun change of pace. He helped during holidays and special events. As he went into the crowded bar, he wondered if being mayor would put an end to that.Why should it? If I want to be a bartending mayor, who’s going to stop me?

Both Paxton and Cabe looked relieved to see him. Paxton shook his hand. “Hop on in, brother. It’s been crazy.”

“Do you or Cabe need a break?”

“No. Cooper gave us each a ten so we could hit the john. Other than that, it’s been too busy.”

“Where do you want me?”

“Can you be the beer guy?”

“Sure.” The beer guy poured drafts and opened bottles as the orders came in.

Paxton put a hand on his shoulder. “And let’s not worry about having a perfect one inch head on the beers tonight.”

“Right. Got it.”

Gage spent the next hour pouring drafts for Cabe and Paxton, and retrieving beer from the cooler for them. If he knew where they were going, he’d deliver them. And remembering what Sydney said, he delivered them with a smile and a few friendly words.

It finally started slowing down around eleven. By eleven-thirty, the room was only a quarter full. And the customers were all at the bar. Paxton came up to Gage.

“Will you start bussing the tables? I’d like to get some of the glasses washed before I go home.”

Before Paxton married Elaina, he’d stay at least an hour after closing, so he’d start the next day with a clean bar. But now, he wanted to get home to her and Joaquin, and he’d leave as soon as he closed out the register.

Gage took a tray and started picking up glasses. After several trips, he went back out with a wet cloth to wipe the tables down.As he finished each table, he stacked the chairs on it. Even though there were still customers, they all knew it was time to finish up and go home.

When all the tables were finished, he started washing glasses. He actually enjoyed it. There was something relaxing about hot, soapy water. His brothers used to pay him to take over their dish washing duties when they were growing up. That is until their mother figured out what they were doing. Then she put a stop to it.

Cabe came up beside him and started drying the clean glasses. “This is the best part of the night for you, isn’t it?”

Gage laughed. “You know it.”

The last customers left, and Paxton poured three shots and handed one to Cabe and Gage.

“Hell of a night, guys.”

Cabe nodded. “We made it through another one.”

They all drank their shots. Then Paxton put a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “Now, are you going to tell us what the hell is going on with you tonight?”

Gage looked at him. “What do you mean?”

Paxton pointed at him. “Something is up with you.”

Gage sighed. “You’re right. Something is up. But I can’t tell you yet.”

Cabe laughed. “Well, that makes us feel so much better.”

Paxton scowled. “Come on, spill.”

“Sorry.”

“Hmm.” Paxton grinned. “It’s Sydney, isn’t it? You finally made your move.”

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