Neon Moon

Ch. 20 New Owner

Just a reminder we have about 4 Chapters left. Thank you all for sticking around and reading. Love, Liz

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"What if we did a donation night? Like a free beer with any $5 donation. Would that work?" you ask while sitting in a booth with Clyde and Mellie at the bar. It was an hour before opening and the minimal grill staff was shuffling in to prep. The Bar had been reduced to just Clyde because he was the lead as well as the unspoken manager of the whole place.

It was sad to see The Duct Tape's neon lights shut off during the week at first. Now it was downright depressing going on 3 in half weeks now. Everyone was in need of a place to hangout and it just felt wrong to do it anywhere other than the bar. It was taking a toll on everyone, especially Hank and Clyde.

Hank was so stressed with trying to pay bills and keep up with vendor agreements. He was physically so stressed you were really worried about him. Which only stressed Clyde out because he wasn't sure what to do to help Hank other than support him which felt useless. Clyde would come in and help go through things in the office trying to find some ways to cut the cost, but it's come down to the skeleton crew already.

The Duck Tape was losing hope and you figured that the people of town were seeing that so they weren't coming in. They too had given up hope and you hated it because Hank was a good guy who gave you a job which led to you meeting all the people you love. Your family. There was no way you were going to let everyone lose hope that's why you were slipping your tips into the register after each set on the weekends. You were determined to find a way to save the bar.

A fundraiser of some kind was your proposition to Clyde and Mellie, but they both weren't sold on it yet. You continued with your idea, "or we can do a limited grill menu, or do like a combo meal deal?"

Mellie nodded her head and shrugged, "I mean yeah those are good ideas, but will Hank go for it?"

You sighed and looked over at Clyde on your left in the booth. His eyes were locked on the table lost in his own thoughts. Nudging him with your shoulder to get his attention he snaps to and looks at you. Giving a soft reassuring smile you ask, "do you think Hank will go for these ideas?"

The frustration at the situation flashed across his face as he let out a deep breath, "he doesn't like the charity of it all, old mindset I guess, but he sure as hell won't stop you." the corner of his mouth turned up as he added, "he knows how determined you are Sunshine."

"Good because I already started making signs." you revealed the small stash you were hiding on the other side of you in the booth.

Clyde shakes his head with a grin then leans over to kiss the side of your head, "you're too good, My Love. I'll go fill Hank in."

A smile clung to your lips as you watched him walk away to the office to talk to Hank. Turning back to see Mellie staring at you with an interesting look, "what?"

She smirked, "My love? That's new."

Trying not to blush, you roll your eyes, "oh stop."

"No, it's cute. When did that start?" she gave an endearing look.

"A little while back when we went to get my stuff in Tennessee." you eyed her because you could feel something else stirring.

"Who said it first?"

Your head tilted at the question unsure of where she was going with this, "me. Why?"

Mellie smiled real big like something she had been hoping for just came true, "because that's what my momma called my daddy sometimes when we were young."