Chapter 2 Anthony's Bar
677 Words
"Hey, man! Have a seat," shouts Austin over the noise in the bar.
I slide into the empty chair at our little table the guys staked out for us.
"So, what's up guys?" I ask as Jordan hands me a cold beer.
Austin and Jordan share a sly look and I have a funny feeling my buddies have been scheming behind my back. Not that that is a surprise, or even new. I've known the guys for forever and this would not be the first time these two ended up doing something that got all three of us in trouble!
"Dude! We haven't seen you in forever! You've been locked away since you caught... Um.. Sorry, man," Jordan apologizes quickly.
"You've been working overtime just to keep busy. And in the Navy? That's saying a lot!" chuckles Austin, redirecting my thoughts to him.
"Yeah, I know guys. I'm sorry. I've just been trying to stay busy so I can get out of my own head."
"Exactly!" they shout in unison.
I frown, eyeing my best friends, not sure what to make out of that reaction.
"Dave, you need a break, dude!" shouts Austin.
"And we have just the solution," adds Jordan, listing to the side a bit.
"Okay, should I be worried?" I ask.
"Naw, man!" Austin drawls out, and takes a gulp of his beer. "We're takin' you out on my boat!"
"Huh?" I'm totally lost here.
"Come on, man. We're taking you fishing in the Bermuda Triangle! We are leaving bright and early Friday morning," chuckles Jordan, like he just told the worlds greatest joke. He also takes a deep pull of his beer.
I look at the clock on the wall. It's 7:30pm on a Wednesday. How long have my buddies been here?
"And how is this gonna happen? I still have work guys," I ask and take a sip of my own beer.
Austin and Jordan pass another one of those looks between them, again.
"Actually, man, we sent in your leave chit in a few weeks ago. And we talked to the Skipper and explained the situation. It's all been approved. We leave the day after tomorrow!" beams Austin.
"How in the hell did you put in my leave chit for me?" I ask flabbergasted.
"Remember the important "Paperwork" that needed your signing a few weeks ago when you were swamped?" smirks Jordan.
"No. Way. You slipped my chit in while I was distracted?" I laugh.
I take a deep gulp of my beer. I've been completely sober since I kicked Janet out, and as a result, my head is already starting to buzz. This is the best practical joke ever! I requested leave and I didn't even know it!
I chuckle to myself as I realize making a decision like this while impaired is probably not the best idea. But already the hard edges of right and wrong seem to blur. What's so wrong with deep sea fishing with my guys for a couple of weeks? The last few months have been hell, and I can't think of a better distraction.
"Hey, maybe we can find that old lighthouse while were out there," Austin mumbles offhandedly, effectively cutting off my train of thought.
A shiver goes down my spine.
"What? What lighthouse?" I ask, suddenly very sober.
"You know the old tale... It's called the Siren's Lighthouse. It's an old ghost story, or somethin'... can't remember... Somethin' to do with old treasure..." Jordan slurs.
The guys must have been waiting for me for awhile. They both look plastered, and normally that only happens after 2 or 3 rounds.
But somehow this story is sending off warning bells in my soul. Somewhere in my subconscious I recognize this story. But I can't remember where I've heard it from. Maybe it's a bad idea. But for some reason, something in my soul is calling out to me... Something desperate and sad.
"Let's do it, guys! Let's go on a treasure hunt!" I shout.
"Hell, yeah!" they guys cheer back, raising their glasses high.
- Writer
