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Chapter 6 - Liam

I pulled into the bar early. The lot was empty, unsurprisingly, at 10 AM on a Thursday, so he parked near the door and unlocked the door, flipping on the lights. The bar was quiet, which he preferred. He avoided it as much as possible on busy nights. The noise and activity was too much for his nerves. He flipped on the jukebox and programmed it to play a pre-chosen playlist he liked when opening the bar. He straightened chairs and made his way to the bar itself, walking behind it and grabbing a clipboard to begin inventory.

Liam liked the numbers. He enjoyed the order and having everything in its place. Maybe it started when he entered the military, but it continued because this stuff made sense and it is what it is, there was no wondering about it’s intent or motives, and no need to consider feelings or thoughts. Liam could do numbers and organization.

As he was counting the bottom shelf liquor bottles, the door chimed and he took a deep breath before looking up, know it would be Ellie… or whatever her real name was. She was beautiful, even more beautiful than I imagined, with long silver blonde hair that hing in waves down past her shoulders. Her skin had a light tan, not what I was expecting from a girl who grew up in the West somewhere, but it complimented her. She had big, green eyes and small facial features that gave her a doe-like look, and small freckles dotting her nose and cheeks.

“Hi, Liam?” She said, approaching the bar. For as beautiful as she is, Liam thought. She is really timid.

“Yeah, yeah… that’s me,” Liam said, clearing his throat. He turned around to place the clipboard near the register and also to collect himself a bit. It had been a really long time since a girl caught his eye, and this one came with a lot of baggage he wasn’t sure he could handle mentally.

“I’m Wr- Ellie. Sorry, Ellie,” she said, standing just behind the stools. Liam turned around, having collected himself and motioned for her to sit.

“Have a seat, I just wanted to officially meet you and ask some questions,” he said.

Wren pulled out a stool and placed her bag on the seat next to her, folding her hands in her lap. She was so small, too small. She really had it rough, Liam thought. “Your mom… she’s very sweet. And the dinner was delicious, thank you for bringing it over last night…” Wren said.

“Uh, you’re welcome. So…Ellie, do you have any bar experience? I need a bartender who is also a Bar Manager, so experience is a must,” Liam asked, clearing his throat again and getting to the point.

“Yeah,” Wren said, surprising him. “I was a head bartender for two years before I left my old bar about 6 months ago.”

Liam couldn’t hide his surprise. This shy, timid girl was a lead bartender? He thought. “Why did you leave?”

Wren tucked her hair behind her ears again, a nervous tick. “Um, I just needed to look for something else.”

Lie, Liam thought.

“Am I going to have to worry about you up and leaving without notice?” Liam asked, maybe sounding a little more rough than he intended. Wren flinched.

“Um, no… no, I don’t plan on going anywhere,” she said.

He pulled paperwork from behind the counter that he had already prepared and placed them in front of Ellie. She seemed a bit taken aback.

“Um, I’m really sorry I wasn’t thinking…” Wren said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I…I son’t have any documents you would need. I, uh, lost them… and, and I’m not sure how to get them back…”

Liam lowered his head. Why am I so stupid, he thought. Of course she’s not going to be able to work on the books. He looked up and caught her before she talked herself out of the job and went to leave. “I can pay you under the table. You wouldn’t need any of this, but I don’t know if I can get you any benefits like health coverage…”

“No, no, I’m sorry, I can’t ask you to break the rules just for me…”

“Listen,” Liam said, again a little too rough and it made Wren jump a little. “Sorry, but… I know you’re running. And I know you don’t want to use your real name. My mom said she told you to go by Ellie and that’s what I’ll call you. If you want to work, under the table isn’t a problem. Do you want the job? You can start tomorrow.”

Wren looked shocked. “Why are you helping me? You and your mom?”

Liam smiled and rubbed the back of his head. “My mom can’t help but to help people if she thinks they need it. Me?… if I don’t help you, my mom will kill me. So, you’re hired.”

Wren stood there, a little shocked. Liam was worried she would say no. He didn’t want her to say no. He needed the help and, to be honest, she was a lot nicer to look at than one of the Probies.

“Well then, I accept,” Wren said, flashing a small smile. Liam felt something like excitement building in his chest.

“Okay,” Liam said, matching Wren’s smile. Be here same time tomorrow.

Wren thanked him one last time and left the bar.