Heavenly Virtues

Part 12

It's days like today I'm happy I have stuff written in advance. So much writers block for this story as a different story I've been working on is filling up my thoughts.

~

With the Chinese put away they made their way down stairs. The pub was packed, even for a Saturday night. The regulars couldn't be seen in the crowd of rowdy college kids. Their regular spot at the bar was filled with already drunk students so they were forced to find a booth. Ashley waved to boys to find a booth "I'll get the first round." She yelled over the noise, she was really just interested in getting the story behind the increase in business.

Pushing her way through the crowd she finally made it to the counter. She pushed her way between two clearly overindulged men and leaned over the counter, immediately catching Kathy's attention. "What the fuck?" She threw her hands up gesturing to the shoulder to shoulder crowd. Kathy waved her behind the bar, it took her a minute to get to the fold up part of the counter but she did and closed it behind her. She grabbed three beers and set them aside, ready to take to the table.

"Turns out some house party got busted just down the street, I guess they all relocated here." Ashley scoffed and shook her head at the crowd. "Where's Granda?" She asked leaning into Kathy so she could hear her. "He had an appointment today, across town and wasn't feeling well after. It's just me tonight." She said already sounding tired. Kathy wasn't old by any means but she was used to a certain pace with this job and the 40 something year old woman was finding it difficult to keep up.

She leaned into Kathy once more "I'll be back, gonna bring the boys their drinks then I'll help ya out." Kathy nodded appreciatively as she poured another shot. Ashley weaved her way though the crowd, and explained to the boys she would be a bit preoccupied for a bit helping Kathy. They both nodded, annoyed with the crowd of drunken party goers and Ashley made her way back to the bar.

She threw her hair up and got to work, she wasn't a bartender by any means but she could pour on tap beers and make basic drinks, she left the complicated stuff for Kathy. She had been behind the counter for roughly two hours when she heard someone yell over the noise "Hey, dollface! Get me a beer." She froze, dropping the beer she had in her hand. Her breathing quickly became erratic as she clenched her jaw, and squeezed her eyes shut. Her world started to spin and she felt dizzy. She had to put her brain into overdrive to try and think clearly. Dollface. His nickname for her.

He had stripped her of her name long before she arrived in Boston. In the cards he wrote her, the voice-mails he left her, hell even the night he attacked her. Never once did he call her by her name. The bar was quieter then it had been all night as the rowdy patrons watched her grasp at the bar for stability. She could feel her knees giving out as she heard the voice again, this time closer. "Dollface?" She turned and finally saw his face, it wasnt him. It was too late though, and with a huff of air she collapsed dropping hard and smacking her head off of the rubber mats on the floor.

Kathy only caught the last of it. Sarah clutching to the bar, white as a sheet like she had seen a ghost. "Sarah?" She asked, concerned for the poor girl. The noise had quieted and by the time she had hit the ground all that was heard were gasps. "Shit." She muttered as she watched the girl fall onto broken bottle pieces. Taking advantage of the quiet she hollered over the crowd "CONNER! MURPHY!" She turned her attention to the girl who was now laid out on the ground and tried to wake her up.

Before she could get a wet cloth to her head the boys were behind the bar. Taking in the scene. "Jesus Kathy, what happened?" Murphy asked as Conner went to her side, brushing her hair out of her face. "I don't know she just collapsed. Did anyone see what happened?" She turned her attention to the patrons who were starting to kick up again despite the scene in front of them. A worried man who stood in front of them spoke up looking between the three and Ashley who still remained unconscious.