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The little boy in me pushes to the surface, excited to see him.
Cassie eyes the stage for a moment, then turns to me. “The guitarist, you said?”
“Yeah.”
She smiles. “You resemble him a lot.”
“Hmm.”
A waitress wearing a short black wig and dark eyeliner comes over, resting one hand on her hip. “I’m not even going to ask for ID. You both look under twenty-one.” She’s older, but I recognize her.
“We’re just watching the band,” I explain.
She squints her aged eyes at me, searching my features. “Hey, don’t I know you?”
Cassie flicks to me and angles her head.
“I used to come here as a kid,” I say.
“Of course,” the waitress drones. “Barry’s boy.” She’s one of the women he used to fool around with. “Wow. You’re as charming as that daddy of yours. I haven’t seen you in years. Where have you been, hon?”
“Living a healthy life,” I say.
She sniffs. “Well, I supposed it’s all right then. You want something to drink?” She looks at Cassie as she adds, “Water or soda?”
Cassie shakes her head. “No thanks. I’m all set.”
“Okay. Let me know.” The waitress walks over to another table.
“You used to come to the bar as a kid?” Cassie asks.
I scoff. “Barry couldn’t always find someone to watch me. Like I said, he wasn’t a very responsible parent. There were times I’d be at the apartment alone.”
“Reid…” She frowns while squeezing my hand.
I refocus on the stage and push the pain down.
Barry’s smiling from ear to ear while playing his guitar. He steps to the front at a solo in the song, and the patrons cheer for him as he lets loose, creating incredible melodies.
“Wow,” Cassie gasps, looking at me.
“Yeah, he’s pretty good.”
We glance back to the stage and continue watching the rest of the performance.
In the end, the band bows in response to the handclaps and walks off. Barry moseys to the bar, ordering shots.
“Want to talk to him?” Cassie asks me.
Something shifts inside while I watch him throw back liquor and ask for more.
“Let’s just go,” I tell her.
We straighten from the table and head outside. While walking to the car, I hear the familiar voice call my name.
Barry laughs when I turn. “Hey. You came.”
“Yeah.”
