Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 10

"Where would you go, if you could travel back in time?"

"Ohh, god, so many options," he said, turning towards me more so that he was directly facing me as he spoke.  "Music wise, the seventies are the best era.  And I love music, could talk about it all day."

"Seventies were a great time for music.  Sixties as well.  I think I'd go back to the sixties so I could live through both eras.  At least, up until Disco.  Not a big fan of that."

"Me neither."

"Although John Travolta makes it look good."

He laughed.  "Yeah, I suppose so." 

"I'd actually love to go back to the twenties," I said.

"Really?  Why?"

"Why not?  Think of all the amazing things that happened in that decade.  Sure, the end of it wasn't the best but, women had just gotten the right to vote, in this country, at least.  Skirts got shorter; a little leg could be seen. Scandalous!  I'm not a huge fan of dresses but the 1920s had style.  And men!  Holy shit, no offense, but men knew how to dress back then.  What ever happened to the three piece suit? Eh?  Oh, and the music.  Jazz music!  Movies!  The first talkies!  Charlie Chaplin!  I mean, sign me up just to be one of his underage mistresses!"  The pitch in my voice got higher and higher as I spoke, because of my excitement.  The smile on his face grew wider and wider.  "Oh, and don't get me started on speakeasies.  Oh my god!  Greatest thing ever.  Prohibition sucked, I'm sure, but the Speakeasy had to have made it bearable.  Moonshine!"  I laughed.  "Sorry, may have gotten a little too excited."

He laughed, a hearty laugh, that I felt I recognized.  It was contagious, though.  "Don't be. I love it!" He said, as he calmed down.  "I don't know which part of it I like more.  Although, I think your enthusiasm over it, wins."

"Have you ever been to the Speakeasy downtown?"

"There's a Speakeasy downtown?"

"Yeah.  It's kind of a hidden gem. You have to be a member and have a "key"." I air quoted.

"And do you have a key?"

"Oh yeah.  I want to work there, at some point.  But, they offered me more money to stay here and become the bar manager.  And right now, I need the money more.  Plus, as bar manager, I get to create my drinks."

"How'd you get into making drinks?"

I shrugged.  "I don't know.  I guess it just kind of came naturally to me.  I've always liked mixing things and seeing what happens.  It's an artform in and of itself, if you ask me." I paused for a moment.  "Excuse me, for a minute."

I got up and walked to the restroom.  While washing my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror.  The lighting in the restroom gave my skin a red glow.  I smiled at myself, actually liking my reflection for a moment. 

The door opened and Tomi walked in.  "There she is.  Girl, that guy is soooo cute!"  She got excited.  "You should get his number."

I rolled my eyes, "Tomi, I'm not doing that."

"Why not?  He was totally checking you out.  Pretty sure I saw him look at your ass as you walked away a few moments ago."

I blushed.  "Oh good god, Tomi, now I'm not gonna be able to look at him."

"Well, I'll look at him.  He's cute.  And he's flirting with you.  About as much as you've been flirting with him."

"I haven't been flirting with him!"

"Yes, you have, Ophelia!  And you should flirt with him.  He's cute! I know I keep saying that but it's true.  And you deserve to have someone cute flirt with you.  Or maybe even more." She nudged me.