The Fire in Our Souls

The New Me

"What can I get you?" The bartender comes up to me, sitting in the middle on a wooden barstool. "Strongest thing you got." I run my hands through my hair, still wet from the rain outside. My t-shirt loose but still tucked in. The bartender puts a half filled glass in front of me with a nod. I take it back in one shot, letting the brown colored liquid burn on the way down. I hold the glass up, signaling for another. He fills it to the top this time, giving a nod again as he heads to the other side of the bar. I sip this one slower, letting the burn take its time, feeling the warmth in my stomach. Spinning it my hand, I feel a soft touch on my shoulder. 

"Hi there." A woman slides into the seat next to me. I turn my body to her. "Now what do I owe the pleasure?" I let my guard down, smiling as her bright eyes look me up and down, my focus goes right to her Lucious tits half out of her shirt. "Just the pleasure of your company, sir." Her hand lingers down my pant leg. I take back the rest of my drink and put the money on the bar. I stand, wrapping my arm around her waist and leading her out of the bar. 

I catch my breath, falling beside her in her bed. Lighting up a cigarette while she slides out of bed, pulling up her panties but leaving her tits exposed in the dim lighting. "So, that was intense." She smiles as she walks off into the bathroom. "Had to get some frustration out of my system." I take a long drag, letting it billow out into the air. She walks back in, a silky robe covering her long, tan legs, loosely wrapped so her tits still show a little. Her tight body slides back into bed, taking the cigarette from my hand, counting money in her hands with her long, painted fingernails. "$1,000, just like last time." She hands it to me, I stuff it in the pocket of my jeans, taking the cigarette back from her. "That piece of shit took all of my money and ran off. Every last cent, gone. I hope she dies out there, alone somewhere. No good, piece of trash." I take a swig of the bottle of vodka next to the bed. 

Good. Riddance. 

Walking down the busy streets of Seattle, it feels so much different than the small town back in California. It's freeing, loud, hopeful. The lights all around and the people nod as they pass you in the street. I walk down different avenues, no destination in mind, no place to be, no one to worry about hitting me if I snuck in too late at night. I pass by coffeeshops and late-night diners, businesses closed until tomorrow and clothes stores. I walk into the night, without the darkness from the lights of the city. "Come see City Lights, LIVE at Neumos! Doors at 5, show starts at 6! Get your tickets now!" A girl screams down the street, handing out flyers to on-lookers. She hands me one as I walk by, continuing her screams into the street, I look over the light yellow flyer, some scattered on the ground covered in mud and shoe prints. 

"City Lights-Seattle's up-and-coming band. Tickets and merch on sale now. Follow as @ citylightswa on instagram, twitter, and Facebook! Debut album: Falling is out NOW!  Friday 5/13 Doors at 5!"

I read through the bottom lines, explaining who they are, where they come from. The back has some tour dates listed, opening for a much larger, well-known band across the county. I slip it into my bag. I've always been one for local music scenes and Seattle is a great place for local music and artists. It's only a few weeks away so I have time to reminisce whether to go or not. 

After hours of walking around downtown, I find myself completely lost. Luckily, there is one place I've been meaning to get to. After some asking passer-by's on the street I locate a small electronics store, still open later at night but just about to start close up. The door dings as I enter, the small store equipped with glass cases of used electronics and accessories. "How can I help you miss?" The older store owner asks, slightly annoyed I'm coming in just before closing time. "I'm sorry to come in late but I'm new to town and am not sure my way around." He nods, his face softening at my over-used excuse. "I'm looking for a cell phone. Preferably one not too outdated with a simple plan of data I can afford." He smiles, leading me to the case of older flip phones and Blackberrys. I scan over the phones, trying to find something not from the years before I was even born. He watches me, but realizes I'm not seeing what I need. He holds up a finger, gesturing me to hold on a moment while he checks the back. After a few moments he returns. A small, rectangular box in his hand. "Now, it's not the latest version, not even the version before the one that is currently being sold but, I think it will do." He opens the case to an old iPhone. Still block-like with a home button but the screen and backing in mint condition. "I had a young kid come in a get some cash for it a few days ago. I hadn't put it out in the case yet since I just finished making sure the memory was reset and the glass was fixed.