“Hey, I’m calling my sister…she’d love this place!” He looked at the man. “They got the good stuff here. I’m telling ya!” He slapped the man’s back, and he flinched. Tegan felt a touch of pride at that—he didn’t even have a sister.
“Don’t you kick out people after so many drinks? This guy is about to pass out,” the man said angrily, looking at Tegan annoyed.
Moe shrugged. “Ain’t my concern what drunks wanna do.”
Tegan got out his cell phone, glad that the man was distracted. He dialed 911, putting the volume on low.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“Oh, heya, sis! You gotta come here. One-fifty-three…hey, barkeep, what’s the address?!” Tegan slurred. “Claire wants to know where it is.”
“Sir, you got the wrong number. This is an emergency line only.”
“Oh, Claire it’s urgent you move that tush over here, mo-mosturgently!” he said, “it’s a bar that is very…it has some kindof charm to it…verycutestaff! You’ll find a man here! Just bring yourreinforcements…you know, your best friend, Deidre.”
Moe looked at Tegan with wide eyes, blushing a little, but said nothing.
The man paid no attention to Tegan. “Hurry up! Get me the money. I swear…” The man leaned forward. “I’ll plug you if you try anything.”
The operator got the hint. “What’s the bar called?”
“Good Times Bar. Really good drinks. I’ll buy you one once you get here.”
“We will have two police cars dispatched to that location very soon.”
“Hurry up. I am about to…” Tegan slurred, and fell a bit, pretending to pass out, and hung up the phone.
Moe tried not to laugh, getting the money out from the register.
The man was getting impatient and took out part of his gun. “Listen, if you don’t hurry, I’ll—”
In a brief flash, Moe saw the man fall down. Tegan had knocked him out.
Moe was still, and looked at Tegan in the eye, grateful and passionate. The other patrons were hiding under their tables. Some were crying.
Tegan smiled, but felt the wind knocked out of him. Not because of what he just did.
Because hereallyliked Moe, and wanted to grab him right then and there to kiss him.
“You okay, Moe?” Tegan said clearly, standing up straighter.
“Uh…yes. Man…you knocked himout!” Moe said in awe. “What about you?”
Tegan looked at him contemplatively. “I’m fine. I just couldn’t let him hurt yo—anyone.”
Moe smiled, hearing the slip. “You…uh, call the police?” Moe asked quietly.
“I thought you’d wanna meet my sister.” Tegan winked again.
“She’s…on the force?” Moe asked dumbly. Tegan bit his lip.
“No. I only have my two parents. I was kidding.”
Suddenly, they heard sirens. The police came in a moment later and arrested the slumped-over criminal.
They got the story from everyone in the bar. Tegan was thanked for his efforts to subdue the robber and Moe personally thanked him—with a hug.
It wasmorethan a hug.
