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“Whenever you want. Meet you down there.”
I put the ‘ring bell for service’ sign in the middle of the desk and follow him. By the time I get there, he’s studying the taps. He points silently to the draft he wants. I grab a glass and fill it with the bright green beer-like beverage.
“On the house.”
“Huh?”
“It means it’s free. No charge.”
“Oh.” He takes a sip.
“I have to go back to the desk. If you need anything else, give a yell.”
“I will.”
I walk away.
“Mira.” I turn back. “Thanks.” He holds up the glass. “For the drink, I mean.”
“No problem.”
About time he said thanks,I think. His parents aren’t my fault. He doesn’t have to be a jerk to me. Especially if he’s planning on skipping town soon, anyway.
7
RENXEL
“Another?”
I look over at the bartender and shake my head. I get up and go over to pay.
“Hey, I know you.”
“You do?”
“You won the ice climbing competition. That was you, right?”
I admit it. The kid’s admiration is obvious. I smile but inside I’m squirming.
“Oh, I wish you weren’t done. I’d buy you one myself. That was so cool.”
“Thank you.”
My gloom is lifting. The young Kiphian is right. It was cool. It would be nice to enjoy the victory.
“You're going to celebrate big tonight, I bet.”
I settle up the bill, leaving a large tip. If anyone asks, Renxel Gerome is not just the ice climbing champion, he’s also very generous.
As soon as I step away from the bar, the darkness seems to settle in my heart again. I walk into the lobby. Mira is still at the desk.
“Hi.”
She looks up. “You were in there a while.”
I was. I had a lot to drink. It did not help my mood. I take a deep breath.
“I feel like celebrating. Would you like to join me?”
