“You should have seen Troy, the man got two, hole in ones and he was strutting around the course like a peacock. Heavy on the cock part.” Chris points to Troy as they slide into some seats at the bar.
“A peacock, really?” Troy says
“What? I like birds,” he shrugs.
“You’re such a nerd.” Troy shakes his head in disapproval
“Hey, that’s bird nerd to you.” Chris says, folding his arms into his sides and flapping his hands like wings.
30
T. SPEAR
“What can I get ya’ll?” I ask when they all glance at me at the same time.
“How about our boy back?” Curtis says.
“Come on, man, leave him alone. We all go through shit.” Chris says.
I stand there, a sinking feeling in my stomach. I need to make solid plans with them.
“I’ll be there for the bachelor party.” I say to Curtis.
“You better be. Over 80% of the guest are Claire’s family and friends. I need someone there.
“I’m putting in for my time off this weekend.”If I remember.
“Alright, cool. Can we get a few Bud Lights?”
“My treat,” I say as I grab three glasses and fill them from the tap. I give them their beers then check on the rest of my customers before I stand and chat with them for a bit longer.
They love it here. All of us met in elementary school, but I have known Chris the longest. We have been inseparable since the sixth grade. If one of us was in trouble, there was a good chance the other three played some kind of roll in it. We played football together in high school and I’ll never forget the last game of our senior year. We all had girlfriends then. Curtis was the only one that kept a that relationship. After we won the game, the team headed back to the school to change and when we got to the locker room, there were tons of people yelling congratulations.
They had streamers hanging from the ceiling, balloons attached to everyone’s locker, and they all popped confetti.
It sure is true when they say to enjoy your younger years, when your only job is to get good grades. Life hits kinda hard when
WHEN YOU'RE READY
31
you become and adult. At least, it did for me.
By the end of the night everyone had left, except John but he was working in the office. He had a tough time sleeping sometimes, so he would come here and do whatever work he could to get anything caught up.
“I’m outta here for the night John.” I yell from the back of the bar
“Alright kid. “He yells back “Have fun tomorrow.”
Umm.ok. I leave the bar and head upstairs to the loft. Sharkbait is waiting by the door, looking at me like I’m late and didn’t inform him of where I was going.
“Well, excuse me for having to work.”
He rubs against my leg as I open the door. I grab him a can of food and heat up some leftovers that mom sent me home with.
Tonight, its lasagna.
Sharkbait and I eat in the tiny kitchen and then get comfortable on the bed. I turn the TV on, but I am out before I can pick what to watch.