“I’ll need you here by four on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You and Grayson can split the chores.”
WHEN YOU'RE READY
53
“That works for me.” I glance at the clock on the wall and see that it is a little past four. “I’m ready to work today, too.”
“Perfect. I’ll be in here getting some accounting stuff done.
Sundays are usually slow, so find a good radio station.”
“Thanks Gennie,” I say and leave the office.
I walk towards the bar, Grayson leans against the back with his arms crossed, watching TV.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I say as I swing the half door and walk behind the bar.
“Great. Tonight, should be a blast.” he says in a patronizing way.
I bump him with shoulder, and he looks down at me. I see a sadness behind his eyes that I didn’t notice last night. But I also didn’t get this close to him last night.
“You, okay?” I ask
“I’m fine. I don’t know why everyone keeps asking me that.”
“Maybe it’s the tone.” I shrug my shoulders and lean back against the bar next to him.
“So, what’s your story munchkin? How did you wind up here?”
“I was in Oregon before this. Portland, it’s a weird place. Before that I was in California after a quick stint in Nevada.”
“So, you travel? What, for work?”
“Nope for pleasure. I get jobs, like this one, occasionally and save until I go on my next adventure. I’m heading south after this.”
54
T. SPEAR
“So where are you from?”
“North Carolina. But I was never meant to stay put. The coast will forever be my home but exploring is my passion.”
“Wow. That’s…awesome,” he says and looks down at me, admiration now covering his face.
“What’s your story? Gennie told me you have lived here your whole life.”
“Sure have.”
“Have you ever left?”
“I went to visit a buddy of mine who got stationed in Florida. I loved it.” There is a tenderness to his voice.
“Really? Florida? Believe it or not, I’ve yet to go there.”
“Yeah. I mean, it wasn’t the state as much as it was the beach. I learned how to surf, spent my days laid out on the sand without a care in the world.”
“So why are you here?” my eyebrows pinch together. The way he talks about it, makes me think he misses it.