Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
About an hour before closing, she comes over to talk to Patty at the opposite end of the bar. By then, all her tables are mostly closed out, just finishing the last of their drinks. Patty nods at her and reaches out to pat her shoulder, and I'm distracted by a customer at the bar needing a drink, and by the time everything is said and done, Renee's nowhere to be seen.
“I let her head out early,” Patty says when she catches me looking around. “Said she had a few things to do tomorrow, needed the rest.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Hope that's okay with you.” Patty frowns at me. I'm usually the one who lets people off early if I'm working at the bar. “I didn't mean to step on your toes. I'm sorry if I did.”
“No, no,” I’m quick to reassure her. “Patty, that's fine. I'm good.” I smile at her, big as I can, and keep that attitude with me until it's time to close.
I don't hear from Renee that night, and I don't expect to. If she has things to do in the morning she'll be in bed. But damn if I don't want to drive over to her place. It just doesn’t feel right, and I play back that moment in the back over and over rather than sleeping.
The next day, it's me and Brody behind the bar, getting things ready for the day, both of us tired from the women in our lives keeping us up at night. His exhaustion is warranted…mine is not. We work in relative silence although he does ask me how Renee is doing.
I keep it light and say it’s all good even though it doesn’t feel like it is.
I texted Renee after I worked out but didn't hear anything back. When I have things set up for the first customers, I send her another message.
Griffin: Hey little tease…I’m missing your smiles today.
I'm almost sure that will get an answer out of her, maybe even a laugh, but my phone doesn't go off. Fuck, I can’t shake this feeling and I don’t know why.
Brody makes small talk and for once I just can’t focus on anything, not even the damn weather.
My fingers itch to text her again, but I don't let myself take my phone out of my pocket. I'm not going to be the kind of guy who bothers her because she didn't answer two text messages.
“Christmas is coming up.” Brody folds his arms over his chest and looks out the front window of the bar. Most of the snow blew away already, but the town still has a holiday look about it. There are garlands everywhere and most of the businesses have a wreath on the door. “You're going home, right?”
“Yep. Visiting with my parents. I'm going to stay for a couple days if that still works out for you.”
“It'll be fine. I'll manage the bar the day after Christmas. I figured we could do a short shift just so people have somewhere to go, but I don't want to keep everybody here too long.”
“Sounds like a great plan. It'll be my turn next Christmas when you have the little one.”
“I'll hold you to that.” Brody smiles, but it takes him a few beats to turn and smile at me. I know he's thinking of Mags and his new family. By next Christmas they'll have a baby who's about a year old. His life will look completely different. He must be thinking the same thing, because he says, “I can't wait.”
We stand there for a minute with him checking his phone and me avoiding checking mine because I know she hasn’t messaged. The guys in the kitchen are making noise, getting ready, and I can hear Mary Sue on her phone in the break room, talking to somebody before her shift.
Frustration gets the better of me and I pick up my phone before I've finished the thought and send her another message.
Griffin: Just thinking about Christmas plans. Is there anything you like to have on Christmas in terms of food?
There's another pause that's so long that we get our first customer up at the bar. I pour his drink, and Brody chats with the guy, taking over the tab when my phone goes off in my pocket.
My heart drops when I see it’s just my mom. I read her text and I know she just misses me. A second comes through before I can respond to the first.
Mom: I can’t wait for you to come home. I'm making your favorite cookies. Do you want sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes at dinner? I don't mind making both.
Mom: Your father is telling me that he wants both. Sorry to bother you I hope your morning is going well
Griffin: You're not bothering me at all and I'll eat both kinds of potatoes. Love you mom. Have a good day