In the Haze of the Night: Part 3

Paul’s half a block ahead as we stumble through the night. I could probably keep up with him, but Heather’s having trouble in her heels.

“How much further is it?” she asks.

Paul stops and waits for us. “It’s just around the corner.”

Another Pub

Three blocks later, we arrive at a modest pub identical to the one we just left. This one has better service at least, and a waitress comes right over to take our order. Just as she walks away, I look over at Heather. She has her hands up to her face, as if trying to hide in plain sight.

“What’s wrong?”

“Joey.”

“I don’t know who that is,” I say. Before she can respond, I see him walking towards us. He looks a lot like my brother, only a foot taller and a whole lot meaner.

“So, Heather,” he says. “Who’s your new boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend, Joey, and neither are you.”

“Come on, Heather. You know you miss me.”

“No. I don’t.”

Joey looks at me. “What’s your name, dude?”

“Ryan.”

“Well, Ryan, I suggest you watch your back.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Of course not,” he says with a big grin that more of a gnashing of teeth than a smile. He takes a step closer and I realize just how big he is.

“Alright, Heather,” he says. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’m not going with you, Joey.”

“Why not? Because of this guy? This scrawny little douchebag? I could kick his ass without even breaking a sweat.”

“Now you’re definitely threatening me.”

“Yeah?! Maybe I am.”

Out in the Night

He moves in even closer, knocking over a bar stool. In an instant, two big burly bouncers are right up on us. One of them grabs me by the collar and pushes me towards the door. An even bigger bouncer shoves Joey outside right behind me.

Joey looks at me and takes a swing. I dodge him just in time. Then, without even thinking, I hit back. He’s quick but he’s big, and my right hand grazes his shoulder.

The pain is immense, but I don’t have time to feel it. I step back and dare him to hit me. He turns and runs instead.

“You coward!” I yell. “Get back here and fight!”

Joey doesn’t heed my command, and I’m glad. Meanwhile his friends run out of the bar and follow him down the street. They pay me no mind. They’re more concerned with saving their own skins.

Heather and Paul come out a moment later. “What happened?” she asks.

“Nothing,” I say, ignoring the throbbing in my knuckles. “Anyway, let’s go somewhere else. This bar sucks.”

Next: A Movie Ignored

Steve Lovelace

Steve Lovelace is a writer and graphic artist. After graduating Michigan State University in 2004, he taught Spanish in Samoa before moving to Dallas, Texas. He blogs regularly at http://steve-lovelace.com.

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