The Divorcee's Redemption

11: Curse

"If we're said and done I know, I shouldn't say that
I still care, but I still care
And even when you're movin' on I hope you know that
I'll be there"

~-~-~

"Don't you have anything other than this lemonade?"

The bartender stared at me before glancing at Jeffrey who was chuckling on the barstool beside mine.

"Uh... We got pink lemonade?"

"What?" I scowled at the boy.

"Pink-"

"What the fuck is that?"

Jeffrey leaned back on the counter, and laughed even more. He was beginning to get on my nerves.

"Well, it's-"

"You know what? You're fired." I grumbled and leaned back on the counter.

"Are you really that mad?" Jeffrey nudged me.

I grabbed the cigarette pack from my coat and took a drag. Filling my lungs with smoke and puffing it before my eyes could at least blind me from having to watch Chelsea dance with the grandpa.

Ballroom dancing.

In a semi-club atmosphere.

"I smell jealousy" Jay's drunk ass quoted as he emptied another glass of scotch. His husband squeezed his arm before he could drink one more, "You shouldn't" Mathew sighed.

"I love youuuuu-" He eventually pressed his lips to Mathew's.

I turned away. These middle-aged scoundrels could get a room.

Another drag, more smoke.

"He was flirting with Leana earlier" Jeff sighed while taking a long sip of his lemonade. After my vow to stay away from alcohol, Jeffrey had thought of keeping me company and I was grateful for him.

"But she thinks that the old man is 'sweet talking'. How the fuck is that different from flirting?"

I scoffed, "Now, he's shaking his constipated ass with Chelsea"

Jeffrey burst out laughing while smacking my back.

"Watch out Mr.Xander" Jay mumbled.

I blew out the smoke in my mouth and turned to him annoyed, "What-"

"Dad"

I coughed, spat the cigarette out, and crushed it under my shoe.

"Yes, Cupcake?"

Covering my mouth by making a fist wasn't as smart as I'd hoped because Lucy could see through me quite well. She had her arms crossed and her forehead creased.

My daughter hated it when I smoked.

When she was in middle school, she had thrown out all my cigarettes. Ever since then, I had been cautious about smoking when she was around, but I forgot about it tonight.

"Hand it over"

I stared at her palm before making the most resolute face I could, "I don't know what you're talking about"

She took a deep breath before searching my pockets like a cop, "Lucy, Cupcake, listen-"

"Ah ha!" My little girl fished it out of my coat.

The men and I watched her in awe as she opened the pack and dumped all the sticks into a wine glass. She filled it to the brim with lemonade, "Ice" She glared at the bartender who promptly dropped an ice cube into the glass.