Chapter 2-2
798 Words
THE BAND WASN’T SUPPOSED to show up for at least another hour, but the bar was already packed when we arrived. Todd ordered both of us beer and chicken wings as I leaned back against the bar to scope out the place. A few people dressed up but most came straight from work: factory workers, ranchers, and those that worked in the city. It was Friday night and everyone was looking for a good time.
“Told you everyone would be here.” He said as he leaned in close to me to be heard over the crowd.
He waved out into the crowd, and his wife appeared. She hugged and kissed him before wrapping me into a warm, comforting hug. Her citrus scent filled my nostrils as my face collided with the top of her head. She was as squishable as her husband.
“I am so glad you came,” she said.
Then, she caught a glimpse of someone she knew, and off she went again. Our order of wings came in, and I was munching on one when the door opened. The noise of the bar died before a couple of catcalls rang out. Someone yelled, “Dee is home!” She was dressed in a red dress that showed off her black hair, but my attention was caught by the beauty next to her. It was the girl from earlier this week, definitely over-dressed for a country bar in a black dress and silver heels. Dee smiled and high-fived a bunch of guys as per usual Dee; while, her friend followed close behind. The green-eyed girl was scanning the crowd. Our eyes met over the heads of all the people. I raised my glass to her, but she looked away.
“Dee came home for this one. The band must be good.” Todd mumbled around some chicken. I nodded and pushed myself up off of my stool.
“I’ll be back.”
MelanieMY MISERY, AND BENNY, kept me company in Delilah’s apartment as she worked at the hospital all week. I divided my time between her couch and my bed in her second bedroom and taking Benny for slow walks around her neighborhood, thinking about all the decisions I’d made in my life so far. By the time Friday came around, Delilah was ready to have some fun.
“Come on, mopey, time to get up.” She pulled the quilt off of me, and I shivered as the air-conditioned air hit my skin. “You can’t lay on my sofa for the rest of your life. Let’s go do something fun!”
I moaned into my pillow. Why can’t she just leave me alone! I slowly opened my eyes to see Delilah standing over me with a water bottle flicking large drops at me.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll get up.” I swung my legs over the side of the couch, as Delilah practically bounced in place.
“Whoopie! She has finally decided to leave her cocoon!”
The floor felt weird to my feet, my legs were wobbly from disuse, and empty cans of Ready-Whip and chocolate wrappers fell out of the couch and onto the floor.
“Into the shower.” With a giant shove, she pushed me to the bathroom. I brushed the hair out of my face, but it was sticky with ice cream.
“Ugh... I am a mess.” In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of the bags under my eyes. I looked like warmed up French fries.
“Yep, get in and then I can make you beautiful for a night out on the town.” She said as she shut the door.
I stepped into the hot stream and the shower seemed to melt all of my heartbreak away, at least for the moment. The dead space in my chest turned into a dull ache. It felt glorious to have the spray soaking my knotted hair and rolling down my back. The steam fogged up the glass panes as I closed my eyes. I rested my pounding head against the cool glass. How wonderful. I took my time enjoying the shower; when all of a sudden, a hand sneaked in and shut off the water.
“I’m not done!”
“Come on, Mel. I don’t have all night.”
Delilah thrust a towel at me. She was already dressed to go, wearing a flowy red dress and black pumps. Her thick black hair was straightened down her back, and she turned back to the mirror to color her lips red. I stepped out of the shower to see a tiny black dress and my fabulous silver heels hanging in the corner. Oh, how I loved those shoes. I shimmied into the little black dress that closely sheathed my curves and slipped my feet into the glamourous heels as Delilah curled my hair and painted on my make-up.
“How do you feel?” A cloud of hair spray engulfed us causing us to cough.
“Almost normal” I smiled at her in the mirror.
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- Writer
