“I hate to say it, but his father’s demeanor is similar to mine, he’s quiet and observant,” Jimmy stated. “Doesn’t say much around others.”
“Wait a minute,” Donald broke in, eyes big, “You’ve met his dad? Does he know about the two of you?”
I looked at Jimmy with a smile for the first time since I started this tale, “Yeah, they’ve met,” starting to laugh, thinking of their similarities like Jimmy said but also the staring contests they find themselves in. “He also knows about us. He joined us for a home cooked meal last night.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. This has got to be a first for me,” Stewie said in awe. “And for all the people it could have happened to,” he looked at Jimmy, “it happened to you, Baby,” He shook his head.
“So, after the mild heartwarming moment, you had to leave the town,” Donald asked, reminding me of the second question.
“Yes. I attempted to go back to school, but within an hour I was jumped by a group of boys. They beat me badly enough to get the message across without sending me to the town doc, leaving me with minor bruises and cuts. It wasn’t safe for me there anymore. Plus, my dad couldn’t find work anywhere. Not even at fuel stations. Because of me, no one would associate with him, and mines in other towns close by got wind too.” I finished my drink and like magic, Sam had another in my hand, the empty glass gone.
“My dad had one friend left. I wouldn’t say he wasunderstandingbut he didn’t react like everyone else. He helped my dad and I find this job on Mount Washington. I don’t know how, I just knew one day we were packed up and moving.”
“Oh Darlin’, you of all people do not belong down in that mine,” Stewie said. He then looked at Sam with a squint and pursed his lips, humming.
“My dad hates that I’m down there. But it was going to be the only way for us to make ends meet. We didn’t even have the money to move. Dad’s friend paid forit,” I looked down at the floor, thinking about all that happened in such a short amount of time all because some boy wanted to kiss me.
“To be honest, Honey,” Jimmy said, catching my attention from the floor, “I absolutely hate that you are down there too.” I went to argue the point he made at the mine the first day we met, that he didn’t want me down there because I wasn’t prepared for it, but he cut me off, beating me to the punch. “Not because of what you are thinking from that first day. You could easily do the work; you were picking up on it fast and proved yourself. I just don’t want you down there,period. It’s a dangerous job and you are important to me.”
He placed his head on mine, breathing me in.
“You both are gross,” Jacob jokingly commented, making us break and laugh. The tension dissipated.
“I may have a solution and an offer,” Stewie reappeared, having slipped away without me realizing it. And he seemed proud of himself and excited too.
“Oh, this should be good,” Mickie smirks, waiting for whatever loud idea that was about to come out of Stewie’s head.
“It is going to be good. For everyone,” Stewie said, then turned to me. “No one wants you there, so don’t be there.Be. Here.” He waved his arm through the air.
“Excuse me,” I asked with an intriguing, but very confused expression.
“Be. Here.” He put his hands on my face again, this time tenderly, not pressing my cheeks together. I felt Jimmy stiffen next to me though, probably uncomfortable that Stewie had his hands on me. “That’s the solution to everyone’s predicament about you. But it’s a choice you must make, so think about it,and let me know.”
Stewie pulled back, and Jimmy broke contact with our sweaty palms and put his arm completely around my waist like a territorial mother protecting her babies. I placed my hand over his that was holding me, patting it, telling him without using words that it’s okay.
That’s when Sam appeared out of nowhere again, this time with a smile that stood out against the color of his dark skin. His hair was shaved to the scalp on the left side with a line cut in from front to back, before the explosion of long curls on the top flowing down the right side of his head to his ear.
It must be one of Sam’s talents to walk around and just appear seemingly out of the void. “Hi Charlie, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Sam.” He held out his hand to shake over the bar which I took. “What Stewie isn’t saying out loud for once,” side eyeing him, with a laugh from everyone, “is that I am going to be leaving The Underground, and we need to find a replacement for me. One that can handle Stewie and all his glory, handle the job, and also, the most important detail, don’t let Stewie behind the bar.”
“Hey! I own this place!” Stewie exclaimed at everyone’s delight, laughter throughout the entire bar that heard it.
Sam looked at me with humor in his eyes but with a back to business stature. “You are young, and super cute,” Jimmy tightened his hold on me, “the guests will love you. Jim said you were picking up on the job in the mine fast. Is that a normal trait you have?”
“Yes. I usually learn by being shown and then doing it only once. My brain easily grasps information,” I shrugged a shoulder, the one corner of my mouth rising in a look of nonchalance.
Sam looked at Stewie, nodded his head, then gave me his attention again. “I’m leaving forWashington, DC in a little over a month to go be with a friend that’s affected by the Lavender Scare, and work at a new bar called Nob Hill that has just opened. So, think about it and let Stewie know either way, yeah? I think this would be perfect for you,” he winked at me and went to go help someone that raised his hand at the end of the bar.
My head was spinning. Me? A bartender? It never really crossed my mind. Before the incident, I wanted to be a teacher. There was a teacher shortage because of the baby boom. I wanted to try to find a way to get my two-year education, then teach at the Grade School level. But that got shafted since we left town before I could finish Senior High. That’s what led me to be down in the mine with dad. I never got the chance to graduate.
I turned to look at Jimmy, to get his unspoken reaction. He looked constipated. I lowered my brows, and squinted trying to get a real reading. But Stewie got there first, “Jim, if he worked for me, I’d make sure he was safe. You know me and how I run things. I might have a personality of a firework, but I run a tight ship– upstairs and underground.”
I turned to Stewie, taking a breath and nodding, “Thank you for the offer, especially since you barely know me. I will seriously think about it.” I smiled at everyone. They were all so nice.
So welcoming.
I didn’t know these places existed. I’m so glad Jimmy decided to bring me here. Then a thought hit me, “I do have one question though,” a huge open mouth smile on my face, because I have a feeling that the answer is going to be hilarious. “Why are you not allowed behind your own bar?”
Everyone laughed before there was even an answer and as before, Sam popped up, ready to answer, whenStewie yelled, pointing right at him, “DON’T YOU DARE!” It made us all bend over laughing, and I didn’t even know what I was laughing at.
