“I love you so much my little firecracker.” Wyatt says into the mic after breaking their kiss, “hey gents, I think I know what song we need to play next.”
The crowd lights up in cheers again as the familiar song,Firecracker Girlintros on lead guitar, Wyatt leans in for one last kiss before grabbing his guitar, wearing it like a second skin.
I remember helping Wyatt write this song back in our high school days, his way of telling me about the feisty spirit who took his breath away, his firecracker.
Emma rushes to me as they play her song. She wraps her arms around my neck, the pressure on one of the deeper healing wounds has me wincing in pain.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” shock stealing her excitement as she pulls back, “what can I do?”
“No, it’s fine, I’m good.” I say through clenched teeth willing the pain to subside, “I’m good,” I repeat. After a few seconds, the pain ebbs and I am able to distract her by taking the hand now adorning a decent sized rock, “You’re getting married!” I pull her in for a bear hug and place a kiss to her hair, “you two are perfect for each other.”
Her blush is back with a glittering of joyous tears in her eyes, “I know! I had no idea he was doing it tonight, did you?”
I shake my head, “maybe it was a spur of the moment kinda thing.”
Can I really be mad at the guy for leaving me out of the loop? I’ll be sure to get him back later.
Her look says it all; with that wide smile and twinkle in her eyes, my sister is on cloud nine right now and no one is going to bring her down. I bring her in and wrap my arms around her for another squeeze.
“I am so happy for you sis. Congratulations.”
The chorus of the song has her head snapping up, the blazing guitar riffs from Chris and Wyatt, thumping of bass by Tyler, and explosion of drums from Ryan excites the crowd as they sing along. Derek does this song justice as it extends through the mic and into each individual soul here and now.
She’s a live wire of untamed desire
One spark, flames extending higher
Burning with need, oh, God please, please
Kiss and tease, bring me to my knees
Firecracker girl, you own my world
She removes herself from me, dancing and pulling me out of my chair to the dance floor.
Alright, fine. I’ll give her this one single moment in time to remember. A sliver of the free, fun-loving boy might still lay dormant amidst the hardened Marine.
It was then I reminded my sister how bad of a dancer I really am.
I couldn’t take being close to the loud noise of the music, my anxiety close to flagging as the night progressed but I wanted to be here for my sister and friends.
Alcohol would be my reprieve.
Nixing the thought of taking the two ladies back to my place, I left them alone and gravitated towards the bar, finding an open seat on the end where the owner is stationed.
He served me drinks, and I noticed the liquor lightening after every refill. I’m fairly certain that last one was full-on Pepsi. I really didn’t care instead enjoying the ‘I-Spy’ game I’ve played each time I’ve stepped foot inside. Not finding any new items I can confirm my suspicions. He is really selling this place.
“Grady, why is there a ‘For Sale’ sign out front? You can’t sell it; we need you here.” I tell the owner a little tipsy, “Who’s going to be the one to give me wise wisdom?”
Grady chuckled as he poured a pint for a local.
I made it back to this place any chance I had after boot camp and my first deployment; the bar and owner changed ever so little. I have to say, for being in his mid-seventies he looks damn good. Grady has always come off as being ‘tough as nails’ paired with his ‘no bullshit’ attitude and gruff persona, he is one to get straight to the point. That is until you see him with his sweet Irish lass of a wife. She is his sun, moon, and stars. She is the one to tame his beast.
His Northern Irish brogue sounds worn down, “Ah lad, I’m dried up as a Nun’s tit, can’t do much o’ anything ‘round here.” He let out a huff as he wiped the bar top. The newest youngster of a bartender, Trent, finishes serving a fella at the other end of the bar, Grady giving the patron and his bartender a chin lift before bringing his gaze back to mine, “Tis time me and the misses become one of those ‘snowbirds’ everyone tittles on about.”
There’s a long pause as rock music plays in the background.
“You know, I can’t picture this place any different. There is quite a bit of history here. I’d hate to see it go.” This building has a history in of itself. Not many people would take pride in keeping the old brick standing.