Falling From Disgrace
“What are you doing home so early?” Adrianna asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table while Heather pulled a few sodas out of her fridge for them. She snapped the top of her can open and took a few sips before being seated.
“I called in sick at the bank,” she explained. “I have off from the restaurant tonight and I just wanted a day to myself. Trevor is with his dad this weekend so I am free until my shift tomorrow night.”
Adrianna’s can of cola tilted in salute as she said, “Good for you.”
They made small talk and then Adrianna’s back started to protest from being in the same position for too long. She leaned forward in her seat and stretched, wincing.
“Your back?” Heather asked sympathetically.
“I’ll be fine,” Adrianna assured her, breathing through the spasm.
“I feel so bad for you, being in pain like that all the time. I’m such a wuss; if I were you I’d be popping pain pills like candy.”
Adrianna choked back a laugh. Heather had no idea that what she just said was spot on. But just like everyone else in Adrianna’s life, Heather didn’t know that she did indeed pop Vicodin like candy. She hid her habit well.
The ache in her back lessened but all Adrianna could think about now was taking another pill and so she excused herself to leave.
“Hey, before you go, you feel like going out tonight?” Heather asked. “Ya know, since I actually have some free time?”
“Sure,” Adrianna told her, thinking she could use a distraction that evening of the male persuasion. “What do you have in mind?”
“There’s a new bar that opened up downtown called Loki’s. Wanna try it out?”
“Sounds good.”
Across the hall in her own apartment, two more pills helped Adrianna rest up in preparation for their evening out.
Heather was obviously excited about getting out for the first time in a while. Her tiny figure was wrapped in a tight, red, strapless mini dress and her hair had been blown out straight. She had overdone it a little with the makeup but Adrianna didn’t tell her that. Instead, she looked at her own outfit of dark blue jeans, grey, flowing tank top, and black heels and told Heather she thought about changing.
“Nonsense,” Heather said, pulling Adrianna towards the elevators by her arm. “You look great. I just have to try harder because I’m older and a mom.”
Adrianna didn’t argue with her because frankly, she really didn’t feel like changing nor did she own an outfit that would compare with Heather’s.
It was Friday and so Loki’s was crowded with all kinds of people, old and young. Heather and Adrianna couldn’t find a table but they were lucky enough to get two seats together at the bar. They sat and ordered their drinks.
Adrianna sipped her gin and tonic and took a look at the crowd around her while Heather struck up a conversation with a man sitting to her left. Men and women were littered about the place, some talking animatedly to each other, others quietly taking in their surroundings as Adrianna was. She scanned the room looking for someone she would consider taking home that night. There was a group of boys who looked like they were part of a fraternity, each of them clad in khaki and polo shirts. No. Some men in business suits loitered here and there but none of them held any appeal and were probably married. No matter if she was looking for a one night stand or not, Adrianna had no interest in helping a man cheat on his wife.
Continuing her hunt, it amazed Adrianna how engrossed people were in their cell phones when they went out. No matter where she went, she always noticed a majority of the patrons would be staring down at the little piece of technology in their hands rather than interact with the people around them. Why bother going out if you were just going to keep your eyes glued to your phone? What was so important that it couldn’t wait until you got home? Not at all interested in keeping constant contact with anyone in her life, Adrianna did not partake in any type of social media, and the only reason she had a cell phone was because she didn’t have a landline in her apartment.