The Bartender

4

What was I thinking?

I actually considered bringing little Maxine out tonight. However, more importantly, what was HE thinking? Asking me to bring a minor to a bar? I’ll tell you what he is, a crackhead I’ll say.

My sister would definitely kill me and after she’s done with me, she’d go after Bartender guy. 

What a waste that would be, I sure do hope he’s lived a long fulfilling life other than waking up each day and choosing impertinence towards strangers.  

I recalled what Max had said to me earlier: ‘What mommy doesn’t know won’t kill her’. This child could go places being an undercover cop.

“I’d say definitely bring her for the experience. It’s a bar, not a club. I’m sure there’s kid friendly drinks.”

“Jackie, between the both of us, there can only be one cool aunt. Not to mention, Katherine will kill me, you know how protective she is of her child.” A minute ago we were going over the final details of the floor plans and the topic of “what are you up to tonight as a single, desperate lonely woman?” came up. I told her about the bar but I withheld information on Bartender guy. 

What? There was nothing to talk about. I wasn’t about to tell her I lost a fight to a man, also throwing in the fact that he was a masculine male with a figure to die for paired with an ego the size of Jupiter.

“First of all, you were the one who brought up the topic and I was merely offering you a suggestion.” She clicked her tongue impatiently over her end of the line, messing with something that sounded vaguely like pans on a stove. 

I scoffed quietly. Why do I still count on Jackie to give me advice on how to babysit when she doesn’t even want kids herself?

“Two, if your sister actually cared so much about Max she’d quit her job and take care of her own child full-time instead of having her aging mother and younger reckless sister and Aunt Jackie here carry out her responsibility.”

“Jackie, we have had this conversation a million times now. Katherine loves her job and she’s doing her best in between visiting, and then there’s her husband who needs her too…”

“Ronnie, I love you and everything but you really need to stop making excuses just because Katherine’s your sister. You’re more than a mom to Max than Kat will ever be.” Jackie said in a final tone that made me go speechless for a good minute. All because I knew she was right to even have said so. 

I breathed out a long sigh and stared at the mess of crayons and a drawing Max was working on much earlier. Reaching for the artwork, I took a quick glance at what she had drawn—a long stickman with straw-like hair and another shorter one with a strand of pigtail on either side of the head—in the hand of the longer stickman held a single stalk of flower that looked familiarly like the lily Max had bought me at the market earlier. 

“Ronnie, are you still there?” 

“Yeah.” I said quietly, pursing my lip and dropped my hand on my lap. “Hey Jackie, I'll see you tomorrow, think I’m actually up for an aunt-and-niece bonding sesh.”

“One fun Aunt, coming right up.” Jackie’s voice lit up in amusement and I can’t help but grin too. “Have a great evening you two. Send my love to Maxie will you?”

“Sure.”

I hung up and glanced at the clock. Oh god, I’m definitely going to hell for this. 

**

“Max, I don’t know how to say this but technically you’re not supposed to be out of bed at this ungodly hour. Kids your age, they need more sleep to recharge, and as for the place that we’re going—“ I explained as I held Max’s tiny hand tightly in mine with the 4 year old staring excitedly at me.

At this rate, I’m really considering changing my name card to ‘Superb Architect and Lousy, Single Aunt’.

“Excuse me, but by any chance are you Miss Kidman? Because the last two women did not know what I was talking about.” a man who stood at least 10 steps away from the bar I frequented to—Barney’s asked. I held Max closer towards me and she grabbed onto my skinny jeans—well there wasn’t much to grab, it was skinnys anyway.

“Do I know you?” I said cautiously. 

“Oh pardon my impertinence, I’m Kale—a friend of Judah’s. He sent me out here to wait on you and your niece.” 

The man donned a dark blue flannel over a fitted white t-shirt, pairing it with dark jeans and worn out Converse—casual, laid back. Practical outfit for robbing a woman and her young niece on the streets. 

“Judah…is that the Bartender guy’s name?” I repeated, slowly, a brow curved upwards in satisfaction. So much for not telling me your name only for me to find out that easily.

“Yeap.” The stranger smiled at Max kindly before extending a hand to me, “Anyway, it’s nice to finally meet you, Veronica.”

“Nice to meet you too, Kale.” I shook his warm, firm hand. “Why are you named after a vegetable?” Max asked curiously. This was the second time in a day I looked horrified—the first happened when my pants ripped, and I got to thank my boss for that.   

“Max, you can’t say that to someone you just met!” I gasped.

“Then if we do meet the second time, can I say that again?” Max asked innocently. A rich laughter reverberates from Kale’s chest and I can’t help but laugh along. 

“From what you had called Judah earlier, I assume that jerk hasn’t told you his name?” the stranger asked, his features showed fragments of amusement. Seems like he’s gotten used to his friend’s behavior. 

“Nope, he prefers being called a t**t actually.” I answered truthfully.

“Aunt Veronica, what’s a t**t?” Max asked innocently. “Oh god.” I winced, totally forgetting my niece by my side. “Honey, maybe don’t use that word okay?” I said. “Why don’t you follow me to the back house?” Kale looked at me apologetically.

“There’s a back house?” I asked. “Sure, Barney had the back of the place redone after my step brother was born and that was about 4 years ago.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t really keep up. Are you and Barney related?” I trailed, unsure as to why I was interested about this weird family tree filled with good looking members.

“Oh yes, he was my Stepdad. My mom had me when she was really young, dad walked out of the relationship and Barney came along. My mom passed because of cancer and he remarried again, hence, the 4 year old step-brother.” Kale explained patiently. 

“I see. And I’m sorry for your loss, Barney was a really sweet guy.”

“He was a great dad too. I’m sure Judah must have told you he was smiling when he passed.”

“With his favorite bottle of liquor in his arms, yes.” I nodded, although I can’t help but wonder won’t smiling dead people actually seem kind of creepy?

“We’re here.” Kale announced. I was actually hesitant to leave Max alone while I headed into the bar after; that would be really reckless of me. Not until Judah came right in behind us with a self-satisfied look on his face. If we weren’t accompanied by people, I had a feeling he’d say something like ‘look who flew in tonight?’

“Hello Judah.” I greeted, feeling quite pleased with myself once I knew of his name. That self-satisfied look on him did not last very long before he narrowed his eyes at Kale. “What? I can’t possibly introduce you as the ‘t**t’ who mans the bar, right?” 

“Kale’s got a good point, ” An older woman walked out of nowhere, well, actually descended down a spiral staircase. Okay so imagine this, we were at the back room of the bar, it was an extended room that went up two floors. 

Bright colors on the walls, fully tinted windows, comfy couches, toys littered the carpet floors, doll houses, an arcade machine on the side, bean bags and I assume, a stocked fridge and cabinet—it was basically every kid’s dream and a father’s favorite hideout. 

Also, was I at a family reunion that I didn’t know about?

“Miss Johnson?” Max piped and my brows lifted. “Who now?” I asked quietly. “Maxie, what are you doing here?” the woman beamed. I’ve not seen the woman ever so there was no way I’d recognize her the way my niece did. 

“Seems like your niece knows my aunt then?” Judah concluded. “Hello again.” Max grinned sheepishly at the man who basically got her a golden ticket to a night of fun with her aunt.

“Hello , you must be Max’s mother then?” the woman asked curiously.

“Maxine’s my niece, actually. I’ll have to guess the person you saw was my sister. ”I corrected her, smiling shyly as the woman’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh my apologies, it’s just that you two really look very much like each other. Oh what do I know? I’ve only seen her twice at the school. Call me Sarah, I’m Max’s Art teacher.”

Kale stood by watching as another child stuck his head in between the banister—just how small is the kid's head?

“Come down here Lucas, looks like you’ve got a new friend.” Kale ushered the child who did not look older than 4 to get down. Max shifted her weight, leaning her back against my legs as she waited for Lucas to get down, staring curiously.

“I still haven’t got your name.” Sarah smiled kindly. 

“Oh I’m so sorry, where are my manners? I’m Veronica.” I said, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Judah snorted as he folded his arms, “Clearly flew out of you this morning.”

“Don’t you have your customers to tend to Juddy?” I can’t help but snap at him, only that my voice was pretentiously sweet. 

“Oh I like that—Juddy.” Kale repeated. “Yeah it’s got a nice ring to it.” Sarah agreed while Judah was glaring daggers at me. “Hurry now, you sure do not want to miss the party now, do you?” he said to me before leaving. What sort of party could possibly take place on a work day?

“Forgive that man Veronica, he can be a bit of a brute but he’s got a heart of gold, that one.” Sarah said apologetically. “Forgive me if I can’t say the same, I find his attitude rather snarky to begin with.” I pressed my lips into a thin line and the little boy ran towards Kale.

“Veronica, this is my little brother, Lucas. Lucas, this is Veronica and her niece Max. Why don’t you say hi?”

Lucas waved shyly at the both of us and stared at Max for quite a bit before deciding verbally that she was pretty. I was also told that the window on my left was tinted and I could look right in from the bar, but the kids can’t actually see what’s on the other end—a way to keep an eye on the little ones. 

I made sure Max was comfortable being left in the care of Sarah—Barney’s older sister (see what I mean with the unexpected gathering?); Kale then led the way into the bar. 

“I’m sorry if this sounds a little intrusive but I’m guessing Barney would’ve wanted you to take over the bar instead of that rude guy manning it, or at least Sarah…” I trailed. The cogwheels were whirring in my head as I tried to make sense of the order of business ownership should the owner pass.

The bar was Barney’s to begin with, Sarah—Barney’s older sister could’ve taken over or even passed it on to his step son if he was up for it…or his second wife if she was still around…

Kale smiled while he held the door open for me. It was as if the sound of human presence was amplified tonight with extra loud chatter and toast; a live band playing a song I did not recognize at all and the lights in the alcohol cabinet shone brighter than ever. 

The bartop was crowded with men and women—both young and old. Someone must’ve spread the word that a younger, good-looking hunk finally replaced it’s owner. 

“I can’t take over the business even if I wanted to. I mean, my full-time job is pretty demanding and we have pretty strict rules on alcohol intake—even after work hours. At least not when you’re always on duty.”

“I’ll have to guess that your job demands alertness capped at 100%? I’d say a doctor, lawyer, cop?”

Kale’s grin got wider, looking more amused with each ticking second. Maybe I got either one guess correct. “I’m a single father and a Detective.” Kale offered and I raised my brows in delight, not even bothered to hide my smile. Detective, I wonder if he’s carrying his cuffs in his back pocket right—oh god damn it Ronnie, these were meant for drunken thoughts only.

Right now I can think of at least 10 different jokes that start with ‘a cop goes to a bar’.

On a more serious note, I did my best in staying away from single dads with kids. Not there was anything wrong with them being single parents, I mean, they have my respect but it’s the other responsibility that they carry with them that will eventually become my burden if we, you know, get involved. 

As if I don’t already have a problematic superior who acts like a child at work. I was alright with kids, but having one of my own, oh boy, that could be a real problem. 

The crowd cheered loudly when Judah had his arm stretched out in my direction. “There’s the woman who made this drink happen—Ronnie Kidman.” A loud voice announced and all heads turned to look at Kale and I. The cop jokes in my head stopped talking, the live band died down and I swear there were crickets all over the place.

“Is the sudden silence a good thing or a bad thing?” I mumbled under my breath and Kale chuckled lightly. “If it were a bad thing, the crowd would’ve trampled all over you by now.”

“I’ll pass on that one.” I smiled nervously.

Cheers erupted from all around the bar, glasses lifted on cue. “A toast, to the sweaty old lady, to that sweetheart standing by the door!” a man in black biker jacket with large beefy tattooed arms that vaguely read—I love my mama shouted. Everyone else followed his action, probably out of fear from getting pummeled to the ground. 

I’m sure the heat on my face was ten times hotter than the fire from the depths of hell. “Bottoms up everyone.” I smiled forcefully, even Judah tilted his glass towards me.

The spotlight attention didn’t last too long and everyone soon went back to minding their own business. “Do me a favor and tell Judah I’ll be back tomorrow will you? I need to pick up my son from his mother’s place else she’d tear my head off.”

“Guess the gun and badge can’t do much when it comes to an angry woman huh?” I said, still glaring at a smug looking Judah behind that bar before turning my attention back to Kale.

“Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn, Ronnie. I’ll see you around.” Kale winked at me and I smiled gratefully. “I’ll see you around.”

With Kale out of the door, I took wide strides towards the man who I’d very much like to strangle in this moment. “Ah, the guest of honor tonight, what can I get for you Miss?”

“You might as well call me sweaty old lady while you’re at it, I bet this is the only thing that humored you all day.” I gave him a sour scowl while I took an empty seat at the very corner of the counter. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he polished a glass with a towel and set it down for me on a coaster. 

“On the contrary, it’s the profits that did it for me. You’d be surprised at how much that drink has made in the last hour.” he stated languidly.

“Do I really want to know?” I drawled, watching him mixing an alcohol and a bottle of unknown liquid that looked like fruit juice in the shaker before pouring it into the glass, crushed ice and all. I eyed the drink warily, “How do I know this drink isn’t poisoned?”

“If I had wanted to poison you, you’d be dead by yesterday. But don’t worry, what I have is patience.”

“You insufferable twat.” I sneered and reached for the glass, taking a quick whiff of the drink before a sip next—it smelled sour yet fruity at the same time. I took a sip and swallowed, my facial expression probably said it all because Judah looked pretty pleased with himself. 

The first sip wasn’t so bad because I swallowed it whole, the second however…“This tastes like sweat.” I stuck out of my tongue and cringed a little. What the hell did he put in here? 

“I’d hate to find out if that’s what you get told in bed.”

“Really? Because I don’t recall having you in between my legs before.”