Simple Man

- SEVENTEEN -

"Oz and I kept her nice and safe for you." Kahuna yelled out as Rowan and Meghan climbed out of her car.

Rowan covered his eyes from the unforgiving early morning sun and saw the small rusty carport off the side of the bar. Ozzy's Cadillac was parked underneath nearly taking up all available space. There was only just enough room for Rowan's Indian. The reflects of her burnt orange and ivory paint job said a loud good morning to his retinas; that cup of coffee has helped his hangover but only just.

"Many thanks friend," Rowan said, grinning, "It would have helped you telling me I was heading in the wrong direction back into town though."

"You seemed like a man who knew where you was going, who was I to tell you where that was?" Kahuna laughed, shrugging his shoulders.

"I could have drowned in the mud asshole," Rowan laughed too

"Meg came by last night asking why she hadn't passed you yet and I told her your drunk ass went the wrong way. You was a mess."

Rowan grimaced as he looked over at Meghan, she just rolled her big brown eyes.

"As if this hangover isn't reminder enough, is that Oz's biscuits and gravy I smell?"

"Sure is, I just had me two plates. Vin and Taz on their third. Oz figured you come by for Claude so he be fixing up some more."

"I was surprised I didn't see him last night," Rowan commented.

"What you mean? Old boy was old when we was coming up, Oz creeping on a hundred. It's a wonder he able to stay up watching Walker Texas Ranger." He replied.

"Very true, very true —so how about it Meghan? You hungry?"

"Oh yes, Oz loves him the Breault girls! He fix you both up a big old plate! It sits in the stomach heavy like lead but it sure do taste good going down!" Kahuna agreed.

"Thank you Kahuna but no thank you, I should be going." Meghan politely declined.

"C'mon Meghan, it's just breakfast. You don't even have to talk to me. It's just something to put on your stomach." Rowan said, trying to persuade her. "Pretty please?"

    Meghan still shook her head as she was about to open the driver side door, but before she could open it Kahuna swooped in for the killing blow, "I understand you don't care for Rowan's feelings none but I know you ain't gonna want to hurt Oz's feelings like that, would you? You know if he finds out you was here and you didn't stop to eat some of his biscuits and gravy he gonna be mighty hurt."

Meghan dropped her head on the roof of her El Camino and groaned before lifting it back up, "Fine! But he doesn't sit next to me! You're a big boy, you can find your own booth!" She said, pointing at Rowan as she strode past him in a huff.

Rowan winced as the screen door slammed behind Meghan. He stood there dumbly for a minute while Kahuna watched before asking him, "Is she always like that?"

"Nah, normally she's quiet. She keeps to herself and her niece most time. I don't know what you did but you must irritate the fuck out of her."

"I apologize to her about last night." Rowan replied, "It's actually really embarrassing."

"You? Embarrassed? Oh boy..." Kahuna chuckled, shaking his head as he wiped the sweat from his neck.

"What?"

"Last time I saw you like this you was falling all over yourself for Justine. She made you a damn fool."

"It's not like that." Rowan dismissed, leaning against the hood of Meghan's car.