At the half-moon bar, Elmer sniffs the inside of his elbow. A chlorine stink is glued to his skin.
Backlit bottles of liquor radiate, gold and blush. Pony glasses, tumblers, flutes, swizzle sticks. Elmer recalls Dolly, his favorite aunt, mixing countless cocktails. He remembers how she would top each beverage with what she called, the fixin’s. Jumbo celery stalks. Colorful umbrellas. Salt. Sugar cubes.
the fixin’sBeside a stack of coasters lies The Expert Bartender’s Manual. Elmer pages through the book, pausing on a curious mixture. The El Presidente.
The Expert Bartender’s ManualHe chuckles. “Sounds tasty.”
Elmer watches Reggie sip the crimson cocktail. He sees his cousin wince, pucker, and finally, swallow.
Reggie asks, “What is this?”
is“It’s an El Presidente. I’ve decided … it’s
