I snort. “You need to stop watching Lifetime Movies.”
We might be an easy distance to some larger towns, and Chicago is only a few hours away, but we’re still in the middle of nowhere.
I lift up the partition and walk out from behind the bar. “The theater is right around the block,” I tell her. “I’ll make it in ten seconds if I run like I’m being graded.”
I pat Grady on the back as I leave, the gray hair of his ponytail swaying as he turns to wink at me. “Bye, kiddo,” he says.
“’Night.”
“Jordan, wait,” Shel shouts over the jukebox, and I turn my head to look at her.
I watch as she pulls a box out of the cooler along with a single serving box of wine and pushes them both across the bar at me.
“Happy Birthday,” she says, smirking at me like she knows I probably think she forgot.
I break into a smile and lift the small Krispy Kreme box open and see half a dozen donuts.
“It was all I could pick up in a hurry,” she explains.
Hey, it’s cake. Kind of. I’m not complaining.
I close the box and lift up the flap of my leather bag, hiding my loot inside, wine and all. I didn’t expect anyone to get me anything, of course, but it’s still nice to be remembered. Cam, my sister, will no doubt surprise me with a pretty shirt or a sexy pair of earrings tomorrow when I see her, and my dad will probably call me sometime this week.
Shel knows how to make me laugh, though. I’m old enough to work in a bar but not old enough to drink. Sneaking me some wine I can enjoy off the premises will be my little adventure tonight.
“Thank you,” I say and hop up on the bar, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Be safe,” she tells me.
I nod once and spin around, heading out the wooden door and stepping out onto the sidewalk.
The door shuts behind me, the music inside now a dull thrumming, and my chest caves, releasing the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
I love her, but I wish she wouldn’t worry about me. She looks at me like she’s my mom and wants to fix everything.
I guess I should
’ve been so lucky as to have a mom like her.
The welcome fresh air washes over me, the late-night chill sending goosebumps up my arms, and the fragrant scent of May flowers wafts through my nostrils. I tip my head back, close my eyes, and breathe in a lungful as my long bangs tickle my cheek in the light breeze.
Hot summer nights are coming.
I open my eyes and look left and then right, seeing the sidewalks are empty, but cars still line both sides of the street. The VFA parking lot is also full. Their Bingo night usually turns into a bar scene this late, and it looks like the old timers are still going strong.
Turning left, I pull the rubber band out of my hair, letting the loose curls fall down, and slip the band around my wrist as I start walking.
The night feels good, even though it is still a little crisp out. There’s too much liquor in every crevice in there, seeping up into my nose all night.
Too much noise and too many eyes, as well.
I pick up the pace, excited to disappear into the dark theater for a while. Normally, I don’t go alone, but when they’re showing an older 80’s flick like Evil Dead, I have to. Cole is all about special effects and doesn’t trust films made before 1995.
I smile, thinking about his quirks. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. The 80s were fantastic. It’s a whole decade of just good fun. Not everything had to have a meaning or be deep.
It’s a welcome escape, especially tonight.
Rounding the corner and making my way up to the ticket booth, I see I’m a few minutes early, which is great. I hate missing the trailers at the beginning.