Strangers in the Storm ✔

Chapter 27: Courage

ROXANNE 

Bad Habit was full to the brim every time there was a sports event. On the one hand, the bar was full of drunk people thinking they were born to be football coaches, but on the other, Roxanne got paid double for every nightshift she worked.

She tolerated the constant shouting and cursing. At least the customers tipped well.

The hour was slowly approaching 2AM and the regulars slouched back into their seats, suckling on the beers and bourbons in front of them, talking quietly to each other or themselves. There were two groups of students, celebrating something and drinking heavily, but they didn't bother Roxanne all that often. She leaned against the counter and yawned as the door opened and Brenda entered the bar.

As soon as she saw her face, Roxanne knew something had happened. Brenda's blonde hair was in a messy bun on her head, she had no makeup on and she wore pink sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

"Hey." Brenda offered a small, sad smile as she approached the counter, "I've got bad news."

Roxanne took in a sharp breath, "What happened?"

Brenda sat on the barstool, "Damien's mother passed away last night."

A heavy, numb feeling settled within Roxanne. Swallowing the pain in her throat, she turned around and took a bottle of Blue Label and strawberry vodka from the shelf. She poured herself the whiskey and poured Brenda her fruity drink.

"I wanted to come earlier." Brenda said as Roxanne put the glass in front of her. "But I had to help Andre with food and flowers and... look for Damien."

Roxanne glanced up, "You can't find him?"

"He went MIA a couple of hours ago." Brenda sighed. "His phone is still in Dana's house, broken. And... the liquor cabinet is broken into."

"Fuck." Roxanne cursed, her heartbeat quickening. "You've no idea where he is?"

"No." Brenda shook her head, her bun sliding off. "Andre said he seemed alright when he came to see him in the afternoon. Something must have happened."

Roxanne downed her drink, hoping it would burn the numbness in her stomach, "I can't leave the bar now, but I can go look for him once I close up."

"Andre and Mona are still looking for him." Brenda said. "I'm sure they'll find him."

"When is the funeral?"

"Tomorrow, 11AM." Brenda took a sip of vodka.

"Is everything taken care of?" Roxanne asked. "For the funeral?"

Brenda nodded, "We just need to find her son."

"He'll be there." Roxanne said, knowing he wouldn't truly miss the funeral, "I don't know what state he'll be in, but he'll be there."

"Rox," Brenda opened her mouth, "I'm sorry."

Roxanne looked up from her glass, "About what?"

"I was a jerk." Brenda exhaled. "I said things I didn't mean."

"No, you were right." Roxanne murmured, heaviness sitting on her chest again. "I jumped into a relationship with Damien too quickly, without taking the time to heal or work on myself."

Brenda's blue eyes remained locked on Roxanne, "But you're brave, unlike the rest of us."

Roxanne chuckled, "There's nothing brave in clinging to the men in my life."

"You didn't cling to him." Brenda shook her head. "You might have been clinging to Mike, but not Damien, and Damien is way harder to love."

"Damien is hard to love." Roxanne agreed.