Chapter 4: Back by popular demand: Shaun Grey
“Shaun my boy, it’s good to see you again.” Roy Schnides said from across the bar. The man had a bit of a Scottish accent. “This one is on the house.” He then filled a mug of beer and slid the beer down the narrow wooden counterpart. I grabbed it and continued walking.
I approached Roy who was in what seemed like his mid 30’. His grey thinning hair still had somewhat life to it as it swayed a bit when he moved. Even as a bartender it surprised me that he stayed slim. Attracting girls around 25, for that I believe every man in his bar respected him.
“Who’s the lady, she looks like a niece of mine,” a big grin came from him.
“She’s my girlfriend, her name is Britney Angle” I said as men glanced at her beauty.
“What will you have Miss?” Roy asked as he stroked his red beard.
“Apple Martini, please” she asked. She sat in her chair and scooted closer to the bar and began to fix her hair accordingly.
Wine bottles were arranged all around Roy as well as tap beer below him. Most of the seats were from a locally owned hamburger shop that closed down when the owner died. I stared into the mirror behind Roy. Another good thing from Britney was that she never wore that much makeup and she didn’t need too. My train of thought was interrupted.
“Happy to see that you’ve shown up Shaun, I actually invited you here to tell you about us getting bonus’s a little earlier this year. So without further delay. Drum roll please.” Jeff and his table started to pound the table with drum rolls. “Here is yours and Britney’s checks.” He handed the checks both to me and Brittney then headed to the back with the older gentlemen. I opened my New York Giants wallet and put the check into the wallet and paid for the first round of drinks.
The song “bullet with butterfly wings” was playing the background. One thing I enjoyed about this bar was that Roy always plays rock. Not just rock but good rock.
“The world is a vampire” Brittney sang.
I was in shock, a girl with this amount of beauty and had the same music taste. I must be dreaming. It was sealed. I love this girl and I had I growing sense she loved me.
The hours flew by but it seemed like time froze and everyone around us was oblivious. There were some movements in the background. I looked over Brittney’s shoulder. It was Jeff. He was making humping motions in the air along with making a face; accompanied with Bryan making moaning sounds. A smirk turned into laughter, I began to shake my head in disbelief. Brittney glanced over to see why I was laughing. Jeff and Bryan were playing Patty-cake, and gave Brittney the “what” face.
“Well I have to see my grandma tomorrow; it will be the first time she is leaving the hospital since the chemo.” She said “if you would please, walk me home.”
We left the bar with the roaring applause and howling behind us. I guess it doesn’t matter how old you are; the howling sound is universal. Immature, yes. Funny, yes. The last words I heard before I left was “Be careful Shaun she bites!” I could tell by the voice that it was Alex, the guy from accounting who served in the military for two years.
When we left the bar looking outside. It was chilly, Brittney was shivering. I wrapped my arm around her, giving her some sense of comfort. The light of “Ray’s Bar and Grill” glistened the sidewalk Gold and blue while cars drove by; allowing white to peak through. The greenish tint windows peered through the shadows. I was thankful her apartment consisted of walking two blocks then taking a left on Jefferson Avenue, then a right onto Main Street. I knew this because I have been at her apartment complex a few times and memorized the location in case I needed a place to sleep if I was too drunk or too sleepy to drive any further.
We began to walk down the sidewalk. We played the classic game of not stepping on the cracks in order to not break your mom’s back. When I leaped to avoid stepping on a crack, the cold air rushed into lungs and froze my lungs completely. I could sense she had the same sensation of becoming an ice sickle.
“Maybe we should stop while we are ahead?” I suggested.
“I solemnly agree to your statement Mr. Gray” she said while raising her eyebrow. She stopped in her tracks almost catching me off guard; I quickly caught my balance. A giggle came from her mouth but was shortly cut off by the bitter cold.
“My hands are cold, why is it that I never have my gloves.” She hinted and leaned on my shoulder and gave me puppy eyes.
Women since Eve were born with the right to make men give into their will. No wonder Eve convinced Adam to eat that dreaded apple.
Her hands were freezing cold; it felt like I was grasping a pop sickle that has been stuck in the back of a freezer for 6 months. Are women all cold-blooded? Is it genetic or is it just a simple trick to get men to hold their hands. Another deep and dark mystery I can’t figure out about women.
As we approached the brick square apartment complex she grasped the railing and slowly walked up the steps and opened the door and began to lean against it. I followed right behind her and she turned to me, looking down at her feet.
“I had a great night Shaun,” she said with reddish tint in her cheeks still staring at her boots.
I took my hands and ran it along her chin line and leaned in for the kiss. She grinned and slowly walked back into her apartment; she grabbed me and pulled me in by my shirt collar.
