Saints and Sinners

Chapter 12

Amelia was wiping down the bar after the last patron left for the night when Jerry came and sat on a barstool in front of her. “You know, Marcus would be proud of you Amelia.” he said, which shocked her. She only remembered glimpses of her father so the fact that he was now talked about by two people close to her in such a short amount of time couldn’t be coincidental. “I don’t really know him, he left when I was still pretty young. So I don’t know if he’d really be all that proud of me.” she said going to town rubbing at a particular sticky spot on the bartop. Jerry placed his roughened hand on her pausing her work. “Well, I did know him until he left. He was one of the best workers I’ve had, you have his work ethic you know.” She let go of the rag and leaned on the bar. “Marcus was a great guy, and I considered him to be another of my own. It hurt me when he left but the look he had in his eyes that lasted a few weeks before, I knew it was time for him to move on when he told me finally.” Amelia looked at Jerry, “I can’t exactly say I miss him. He left mom and I alone, who does that if they're such a great guy?” she asked, almost getting angry. Jerry shook his head, “He hasn’t totally forgotten about you, I do hear from him occasionally. He asks about you, and how you're doing; but I can never tell him the honest truth because you don’t really let anyone close enough to see the real you. You put up this tough woman exterior that well kind of pushes everyone away. Thank God I’m a tough old guy,” he said with a wink at her which made her smile briefly easing the tension she held in her shoulders. “Thanks for looking out for me Jerry. I appreciate it. If you hear from him again, you can tell him I don’t trust him, but I’m willing to talk to him if he’d ever want to see me again. I can’t say what will happen when that time comes but I’ll try to be open.” Jerry smiled, “I think it would do you both some good. He’s lonely, from what he’s told me, he hasn’t moved on from your mother. He says she was the only one for him.” Amelia nodded her eyes growing misty and her heart aching with hurt and anger, “Then why did he never come back? We’ve always been here.” Jerry rubbed his chin, “I could tell you but I don’t think it would mean the same. That’ll have to be his burden to explain. Just know he never stopped loving you.” Amelia sighed wiping the back of her hand across her eyes, “Sorry Jerry, I think I’m just exhausted. It’s been a long day and then this,” she waved her hand indicating their conversation, “I think it just kind of pushed me over my limit.” He took the rag from her, “Go on, get out of here, everythings almost cleaned up anyway.” She smiled, “Good night Jerry.” and went to retrieve her belongings before leaving.