the trailer park / eddie munson

Chapter 09 - The Key

"What have I done to deserve this", you sigh and lean your throbbing head against the wall. It feels like it's about to explode. With deep breaths, you're trying to fight the nausea that always comes in waves. Fucking tequila.
It's Sunday afternoon and you're at work. The hangover you woke up with hasn't bettered throughout the day, it's still as awful as it was when you woke up. Nothing helped. Not the cold shower you forced yourself into, neither the strong coffee nor the painkillers. You open your eyes and see your own reflection in the mosaic wall behind the bar. "What a beauty", you mumble to yourself, pinching your cheeks to make you look a little more alive.
"Hey", John walks up around the bar. You're having this shift together. "Sweet baby Jesus, what happened to you?", he looks at you, kinda horrified. "Tequila", you turn your back to him and pour a glass of water from the tap. "A lot of it, I guess", he laughs and starts cleaning the counter. "Fuck off", you scoff and chug your water, making him just laugh even more. "Ugh I just wanna dieeee", you lean down on the counter and place your head on your crossed arms.
Dean, your boss, comes in. With all the strength that's left in your body, you lift your head again and try to smile.

Lucky for you, this shift is not the nightmare you expected it to be. Although you're headache is trying to kill you, but the bar is not well attended tonight. It's one of the first warm evening of this year, most of the usual guests are enjoying their first drinks outside. John went back into Deans office to help him with some paper work, whereas you work behind the counter, trying not to throw up from the smell of the shots you just poured. "Fucking hell, I'm never drinking again", you whisper while suppressing a gag.
The door opens and Robin walks in. She smiles and waves at you, while walking over to the bar. "You won't believe-... oh", she notices your look. You just nod and carry the shots to one of the tables.
Back behind the bar, you grab her favorite soda out of the fridge, place it in front of her and lean against the wall, "Okay, what happened". She sighs and takes a sip from the soda. "Vickie came by" - "I know, I... saw her" - "She wanted to talk. Again. But it was too loud at the party, so we decided to go outside. And yes, I know it was a dumb idea, I was drunk and hurt, but I really wanted to know what she had to say." You nod and start cleaning some glasses, while listening to her story. "She apologized. She said she's sorry about what happened, that she misses me so much, and that she really regrets what she did" - "what did you say?" - "nothing. I just stood there, unable to say anything. She told me she talked to her parents". You stop cleaning and lift your head. "She came out to them" - "what did they say?" - "they said they need some time to understand all of this, but yeah, they didn't disinherited her", she shrugs and lightly smiles. "So, what does that mean for you guys?" - "Well... I think we're back together. Even though I don't think I'm gonna meet her parents very soon". You smile at her, "Who needs the parents? You're back together, Robin! That's awesome! I'm so happy for you!". With a big smile, you jump around the counter and hug her tight. "I'm really happy for you, you deserve it so much", you whisper and kiss her cheek. Robin blushes, "thanks, Jules. For... Everything. I'm really glad to have you in my life". "So am I", you wink at her and walk back behind the counter to continue cleaning the glasses. "So, what happened after her apology? I mean, you never made it back to the party", you smirk at her and wiggle your brows. Robin chuckles and gives you a telling glance, her cheeks blushing a little more. "I see, you guys reconciliated in the best way as well", your smirk gets bigger. She laughs and nods, while taking a sip from her soda.
"Vickie told me she met you and Eddie in the staircase. And she kinda... disturbed you, huh?", now it's her turn to wiggle the eyebrows. "Uhhh, I don't know what you're talking about", you shrug and wink at her, while grabbing a hand towel to dry the glasses. "Uh-huh, sure".
Robin stays for two hours and keeps you some company. While you're working, you chat about the party and the little fight she missed. She looks much more happier now. The sparkle in her eyes is back, now that she and Vickie are dating again. It makes you so happy seeing her like this.