Page 106 of Foul Territory
I was a fool for ever thinking I could get over Koa Mahina. He was always going to be mine and I was always meant to be his.
“I can’t believe it’s your last shift.” Lindsey frowns as she makes a couple of whiskey sours and passes them to the couple in front of her.
“I’m going to miss working here with all of you.” I finish taking the payment from the couple and hand them their receipt.
“No you won’t. You already have one foot out of Alabama,” she says, her blonde ponytail swinging with every word she says.
“That might be true but I’ll still miss you and the rest of the girls.” I hip check her as I pass by. Walking the length of the bar, I check on customers’ drinks and clear any empty glasses.
I’m a little nostalgic thinking back to my first night working. Lauren and I broke so many glasses and messed up too many orders, but we still managed to keep our jobs.
I know Ray wanted Lauren because she helped with all the dance routines. I didn’t bring anything to the table. It wasn’t until I started messing around with different liquors and mixes—creating new drinks—that I found my place.
Seeing customers ask for the “Sydney Special” is an ego boost to say the least. Working here has given me the confidence to try new things and not be afraid to fail. It’s something I’ll need in my next job.
Flipping my wrist, I check the time on my watch. “Drink up fellas,” I tell the group of regulars in front of me. “It’s almost time for a little show.” I wink. I wipe down the bar with a dry cloth and clean up their emptyglasses.
The DJ signals us to get ready. I move to my spot at the bar and wait for the music to change. Lauren didn’t mention there would be dancing involved with this job until after we had turned in our paperwork.
It has been an unexpected bright spot. Reading a book is how I cope with my emotions internally. Music is how I express myself when I want to share my emotions with other people.
I straighten my cropped Ray’s Bar tee and pull at the inseam of my cut off shorts—that sucker likes to fly a little too close to the sun from time to time.
The music switches to one of my favorite songs and I’m all smiles. The five of us walk up the miniature steps we keep behind the bar and work our way to our spots.
We stomp our feet and clap our hands to the beat while a couple of the girls waitressing at the tables make their way to the dance floor. Gazing out to the crowd, I can’t stop myself from checking the back corner.
I know he won’t be here tonight, but I look for him every night I work out of habit. Koa coming to babysit me was infuriating in the beginning. He made me feel like he didn’t think I was capable of making my own decisions.
I see now that he needed to be here for himself. It had very little to do with what I’m capable of. His need to be my protector required him to make sure I made it home safe for his own sanity.
Spinning around a few times on my heel, I stop in front of a customer and extend an arm to remove his cowboy hat fromhis head. He laughs as I playfully pretend to put it on my head before giving it back.
This is usually the part of the routine when I would glance over at Koa and see how tight he is gripping his beer bottle. The whitening of his knuckles always made me want to shimmy and shake a little harder for the rest of the night.
His text earlier led me to believe he wasn’t going to make it tonight but I check one more time anyway. I stumble over my steps, but manage to recover before it's noticeable to others. Koa isn’t in the corner, but the sleazy customer who tried to corner me in the storage room is sitting in his place.
I ignore the way my heart is pumping out of my chest and how my hands start to tremble as I work through the rest of the routine. I’m safe here. Nothing has ever happened to any of the girls while we’re working.
Sure the place gets out of hand from time to time, but there are several bodyguards on scene. They don’t mess around when it comes to the women working here. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two of them have a crush on the girls.
When the song ends, I climb back down the stairs and get right back to work refilling drinks. I don’t allow myself to think of the man sitting in the back corner. He is no one to me.
It doesn’t stop me from wishing Koa would walk through the door. I’m still not sure if I’ve forgiven him, but I wouldn’t deny myself the opportunity to seek comfort from his presence.
The shift continues without any incident. I gladly let Lindsey help me restock the alcohol and beer for the night. Thebar begins to clear out as everyone pays their tab. We work efficiently cleaning the bar top, wiping down chairs, and mopping the floors.
It’s a lot of work but we turn up the music and we get everything checked off the list in no time at all. The girls hug me goodbye and I wipe a few tears as I walk toward my car.
There are only a few vehicles left in the lot. Quite the contrast from when I arrived for my shift earlier tonight. I get inside my car and immediately lock the door. Starting the car up, I get my phone plugged in and check to see if I have any messages.
The girls honk and wave as they pass, exiting the parking lot toward the two lane road that leads to the highway.
I smile when I see a message from Koa.
KOA
Hope your last night goes well. Wish I could be there to see you dance one last time on the bar.
