Blood on Bourbon

2. Night One

Title: Blood on Bourbon

Chapter 2: Night One

Erin Scott

Lively jazz music buzzed through the streets, and everyone couldn’t help but bounce to the rhythm. I chose a functional outfit for our first night out. I wore dark skin-tight skinny jeans, a simple white blouse that Mia unbuttoned to show a bit of cleavage, my most comfortable pair of black boots, and a matching black clutch. Mia, Jade, Tara, and Lexi all chose skin-tight mini dresses with heels. I looked more like the mother of the bride than a bridesmaid compared to them, but I didn’t let the ping of insecurity take hold. I was comfortable in a city I’d never been to before, which made me feel a bit more in control of the situation.

A street performer in full silver body paint jumped in front of us and started to pretend there was a wall blocking our path like a mime. Lexi pulled out her phone and started live-streaming the performance. Mia started to also pretend there was a wall, smacking her fist in outrage in the air. “Help, how will we ever get past this wall!” She shouted. Several bystanders looked on, clapping and pointing at the spectacle.

Realizing this must be much like Vegas or New York street performers, I reached into my clutch and wadded a dollar bill into my palm. Sometimes, the more aggressive performers will demand a tip, especially if you take photos and Lexi is doing a live stream. Announcing to the silver mime that she is an influencer. FLASH, I swiveled my head towards an alley in between the buildings. I swear something just zipped past me. I squinted into the darkness. I must be over-stimulated; it's time to change scenes, I thought to myself. I grabbed Mia’s elbow and whispered into her ear, “I think we should find a bar to dip into.” And nodded to the group of dazed college boys in the street, practically licking their lips at my friends.

“Yup! I’m parched! "Let’s go, girls!” Mia ordered. We tried to move past the imaginary wall, but, as I predicted, the street performer planted himself in front of us again, this time with his hand out expectantly. I squished the dollar into his hand and pushed my friends forward.

“One dollar? "You bi—!” He began to shout. I looked back and saw him being dragged into the crowd by two strong hands. I couldn’t make out the rest of the person, but their grip on the silver performer was intimidating enough to make me quicken my pace.

New Orleans is covered in a blanket of mystery. That’s part of the allure. I decide not to question much of what I see on the street here, remembering my promise to Mia to try and have fun. I unbuttoned another button on my blouse to expose my forest green lace bralette, following my friends into a nearby bar determined to have a good time.

A band played on an old wooden stage, and people gathered around the sticky floor, swaying to the music. “Shots!” Tara screamed towards our little semicircle around the bar. We all agreed to one shot for the night. It was my turn to order, and the bar was so tall that I had to step on the bottom rail and lean over a bit to speak to the bartender. “How much?” I asked when the bartender brought me my drink back.

“On the house, ma’am,” he replied.

“Oh, thank you!” I said, confused.

“Not me to thank,” he said and nodded towards the end of the bar. My gaze followed, and there at the end of the bar sat the man from the lamppost wearing his mischievous grin. He held a rocks glass up and cheered the air between us. I mimicked him, having no idea what else to do.

“Oh my gosh, Erin! "Did that guy just buy you a drink?” Jade squealed, yanking me down from my perch on the bar top.

“Um, yeah, I think so.” I stuttered.

“Well, go talk to him!” Mia demands as Tara slaps my ass and whispers, “Go get him tiger!”

“Okay, okay! Geez.” I mumble. Taking a deep breath, I started to walk around the bar to the corner where my mysterious man was sitting. As I rounded past a couple making out, I saw that the chair he was sitting in was empty. I looked around, not seeing him anywhere in the crowd. Smoke swirled around my head, making me feel off balance.

“I guess he is shy,” I tell my friends in defeat once I make my way back to them.

We all laughed and took our shots together, cheering in Mia’s honor again. Jade and Tara rush off to dance with a couple of guys in the band. Mia and Lexi get into another deep conversation about Lexi’s many lovers and sit down at a table. I decided to hold our station at the bar and watch my friends. I wasn’t shocked they were already in this phase in the evening. They had been drinking since breakfast at the airport. Crawling into the only empty chair at the bar, I make myself comfortable and order a Martini. These girls aren’t going to last long, so I decided to enjoy the hour or so before one of them starts throwing up, and I have to guide them all back to the loft.

Two Martinis in and an hour and a half later, Jade ran to the bathroom, holding her mouth as a flimsy Tara followed after her, dogging invisible roadblocks. I looked over at Mia’s table; she and Lexi were both crying and holding hands. “Yep, that’s my cue. Bartender, my tab, please.”

“No tab, ma’am,” he tells me.

“What? "I thought that guy left?” I asked, looking around the bar.

“He is always watching. You have a good night, ma’am. Best get home soon.” He tipped his head and walked off. Then I began to wonder if the man who had purchased my drinks was the owner. I had worked in several bars before and knew that some owners would place cameras around the bar to prevent employees from stealing. That must have been what the bartender meant when he told me, “He is always watching.”

My group of friends had gathered by the front entrance at this point, swaying and stumbling. With disheveled hair and mascara running down all four of their faces, it was obvious that it was time to go to our loft.

When I approach, they all start telling me in a panic they don’t know where the keys to the loft are, they don’t know how to get back, Mia needs to pee, they need water, food, etc.

“I’m ordering delivery to the loft right now. I have the keys. Two blocks to the right. We are going to walk quickly, not speak to strangers, and stay together!” These were the moments that I shined, remaining calm amid chaos. I may not be your cry-it-out or dance-it-out buddy, but I will always be the loyal leader in a crisis.

I thought I was a failure years ago when I couldn’t save my friend from a terrible drunk-driving accident. So, I stopped partying and became a shell of who I once was. I’m thankful for this moment now. I feel needed and helpful. This gives me a sense of value when, earlier in the day, I felt like I had none.