Page 52 of fiftysix

“Hang out and watch men enjoy their beers. Maybe even get some fries and a nice iced-tea,” I suggested, knowing we wouldn’t get alcohol at that bar.

“I know the owner. He won’t kick us out,” I added.

She thought about it at first, then she nodded and got up with a sigh. “Okay. Let’s go.”

*

The bar belonged to a friend of Dad’s from college, and although he wasn’t allowed to, Dad often took me there when he wanted to have a beer after work.

I used to sit at a booth, drinking some type of soda and snacking on either salted peanuts or chips.

It wasn’t the best place for a child to hang out, but I enjoyed playing with the cards they had laying around on the tables or coloring in the last few empty pages of a children’s coloring book that the owner strangely had laying around in one of the drawers.

When we entered the bar, I looked around before pulling Kennedy toward the counter to greet Henry.

“Valley! What a nice surprise,” he called out when he noticed me, and I smiled at him and walked around the bar to hug him.

“Hope it’s okay if we hang out in here tonight. We came from a college party. It was boring,” I told him, stepping back again.

“Yeah, go sit down. I’ll get you both something to drink and some fries. How about that?”

“You’re the best. Thank you, Henry.”

I grabbed Kennedy’s hand again and walked to the booth with her, and once we sat down, I looked around to see if there were any potential men for Kennedy to talk and maybe flirt with.

“So…now what?” Kennedy asked, looking around the bar a little unsure.

“Now we sit, eat, drink, and enjoy the music in the background until I find the right guy for you. What’s your type?” I asked, knowing it always changed.

“Uh, I don’t know. Tall, dark...very handsome. No beard,” she told me with a shrug.

“How about tall, dark, and handsome and with stubble?” I asked, grinning at her.

“Where do you see that type of man?”

“Right over there.” I pointed to a booth on the other side of the bar, sitting with another guy who I knew looked far too scary for Kennedy with all his tattoos.

“What if they’re married?” she asked with worry in her voice.

“Guess we’ll have to find out if they are first.”

Henry brought us two drinks which looked like iced tea I always got when I came here, with a bowl filled with fries.

“Thank you, Henry. How’s life been?”

“Oh, you know, hectic as always. Wife’s been at the hospital for a few days last month, but she’s back on her feet again. How’s your father? Haven't seen him in a while.”

“Dad’s great. This is my best friend Kennedy, by the way,” I announced.

He nodded at her with a smile. “Good to meet you, doll. You two have a great night. Call out to me if you need anything.”

I nodded and watched him leave, then I took a sip of my drink and set the glass back down to get up from the booth.

“You’re not going over there, right?” Kennedy panicked, and I grinned at her and winked.

“’Course I am. You’ll see, a little company won't hurt. You need to get over Reece Keller.”

She sighed and hid her face with her hands, mumbling something under her breath.

---