NIKLAS The bar was less than three months old. Now, don't get it twisted, it had seen some very bad days— days that I was nearly convinced it wouldn't see the sun of the coming months. For real, there were weeks I felt that way. In those ‘dark weeks’, I recall questioning myself on everything. You could only imagine the sheer relief that dawned on me when things changed for the better. “I have to go now, Nik,” John said, dropping a towel on the counter. “You remember I mentioned that I would get off a little early, right?” “Of course, I do,” I said, tapping him on his shoulder. “Be careful on that bike of yours that makes every sound known to man.” John chortled at my statement before exiting the bar. It was almost time for us to close for the day anyway. Everyone in the bar was sit

