In the fridge, I found the pot of chicken soup, which had always been my favorite growing up. No one made it like Mattie, but I found myself not wanting to eat anything. Another glance had me cursing. She’s thrown out my beer and left fresh vegetables and some of my favorite power bars in its place. Everything else was gone.
I closed the door and took the keys out of my pocket, but remembered my bike was at the bar. I’d have to take my old truck, which was my other standby. It wasn’t my favorite vehicle to drive, but at least I’d get my bike back safe and sound.
I headed out to the bar, and before I got there, Layne had called again. I knew if I didn’t answer him soon, he’d come looking for me, especially since he’d never called so much in a day before. I decided to let him wait a while longer and went into the bar and took my favorite stool.
“There’s the man. How’s it going?” Smitty, the old man who sat on the opposite end of the bar from me and spent more stool time there than I could handle, always had a greeting for me if nothing else.
“Hey there, Smitty.”
“Starting a bit early today, aren’t you?” Glen came out from the back with a confused look on his face. “Your bike is in the back. I figured you’d be around later, but damn.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure I can handle what’s com
ing without a beer and apparently my maid threw out my beer.” I clapped my palm against the bar and Glen went over to pour me one.
He placed it down in front of me and then went to tend to Smitty’s request. “So, what’s coming?” Glen took Smitty’s glass and poured him another.
“I’m not sure. It’s Dad’s partner, Layne. He keeps calling me.” I took out my phone and glanced at it. I had a few missed calls from random women and then about ten from Layne throughout the morning.
Glen tossed his rag over his shoulder and stepped up in front of me. “Why haven’t you answered your phone? It seems important.”
“The last time I answered my phone when it was important, it was the police telling me that my entire family had died. I doubt it can be more important than that.”
“What else have you got to do all day?” He wiped the bar and cut me an accusing glance.
“Ouch, that’s harsh, friend. I do plenty. I’m even thinking of going back to the gym.” Smitty laughed at something on the TV over the bar and Glen turned it up.
He walked back around to me as a few more patrons arrived. “You mean you stopped?” He regarded my build and shook his head.
“Yeah, I haven’t been in some time now. I guess I miss it.” I missed plenty.
“I think you should do something other than sit on that stool and pound beers. Not that I don’t want your money, but I’m working overtime with that bike of yours hanging around. You showing up here early is a bad sign, one I’ve seen before.”
“Well, to show you I don’t have as big of a problem as you think, I’ll leave after this one, and after I get my bike loaded, I think I will head over to the gym. My membership is still good, and I think there’s a woman or two missing me.” I glanced at my phone again, certain that one of my missed calls was a woman I’d met at the gym. If I wasn’t right, then that would be an awkward reunion.
“I’ll keep your seat open for you.” He winked and tended to the other customers.
I turned up the last of my beer and then pushed the glass forward on the bar. I walked to the back and found my bike waiting safe and sound. Good ol’ Glen. I couldn’t blame him for being bothered; he’d taken care of moving my bike to the back so many times that I should be paying him for the extra service. I pulled the ramp down on my truck bed, and Glen came out to help.
“You know, you could just start parking back here, then I wouldn’t have to move her.” He helped me heave the thing up into the truck, and I thought how I needed a trailer.
“I’ll try to remember that. I wouldn’t want to stop drinking and put you and Scott Uber out of business.”
“Scott Uber, clever.” He folded his arms as I moved the ramp back into place and secured my straps. “You know, friend to friend, I really think you need to take that call. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“So do I, but I don’t feel like dealing with it. I’m going to go get lost for a few hours, and I’ll be back around later.”
“I don’t understand you, man. I’ve been to your place, I’ve seen what you have; do you even give a damn anymore?”
“It’s just a house, might as well be like any other.”
“It’s not like any other, and you’re not some average Joe. You’re a wealthy man who’s slumming it eight days a week. Not that I hate your company, but you’ve got responsibilities.”
“Have you been talking to a woman named Mattie?” I chuckled, but Glen wasn’t laughing.
“You’re bound to have gone to college; why aren’t you working? You’ve got a huge estate that’s going to shit. I’ve seen that place in its glory, and it’s going down fast. I don’t want to be the guy that tells you how to live your life-”
“Then don’t.” I kept a smile only to let him know I wasn’t angry, but I wished he’d mind his own business. I had a lot of responsibility, and it had all been dumped on me at once along with the fact that I didn’t have my parents and my sister.