Fields of Iris

No Sweet Tea Here

This place sure was fancier than anything I'd ever seen!" I looked around in awe of the people in shiny dresses. My red thrift store dress was nothing compared to the fancy fabrics that surrounded me. As we sat at a table in the corner as Chase insisted, I tried my best to stay as still as possible.

"Do you always bounce like that?" He asked, making me realize I was shaking my leg under the table. I put my hand on my knee and settled it.

"I'm just used to eatin' and movin' at the same time. It's so quiet here. And I ain't never been to a restaurant that's so dark!" I said as my voice echoed through the place, drawing stares from others.

"Yes, it's very fancy, which is why you should use your indoor voice," he said just as a woman appeared at our table.

"Hello, my name is Hailey and I'll be your server tonight. Can I get you guys started on something to drink? I would suggest the Cabernet Savaughn," she spoke as I knitted my eyes in confusion.

"We'll take a bottle of Chateau Lafite and two glasses of water," He spoke as I shook my head.

"Actually, do you happen to have sweet tea?" I asked, receiving a scoff from across the table.

"Oh please, sweet tea is probably one of the main reasons I moved from The Brooks. You don't order sweet tea in a place like this," he spoke, as my jaw dropped. I've never heard of a place that didn't sell sweet tea. You could get it at practically every corner.

"Oh well in that case, how about a coke!" I chirped seeing the server nod her head and walked off.

"I forgot how often people who live in The Brooks never actually leave," He spoke once again reminding me of my all too simple lifestyle.

"Well, it wasn't too long ago that you were scooping manure and wrangling pigs," I spoke once again receiving looks from around me. I coughed and did my best to lower my voice as I continued.

"No farm talk either, okay," he said, fixing his watch on his wrist as we sat in silence. After a few moments our drinks arrived as I stared at the menu trying to figure out what the words meant.

"I can't believe Ray works here! I wonder where he's at?" I asked, looking around and trying to find out where my best friend was hiding in this fancy place. For a moment I thought I was in a parallel universe when I saw my clean-shaven best friend scurry over to us in a white button up and black apron, carrying our drinks on a tray.

"The moment I heard someone ordered a coke, I knew my best friend had arrived!" He harped with a quiet voice, trying to contain the thick country accent.

"This is so fancy Ray and look at you!" I harped, trying to keep my voice out as well.

"I know and look at you? I did not expect you to show up in a dress. To be honest I had all my money that you wouldn't show at all. Now I can see why you changed your mind," he said as I kicked his ankle from under the table, looking up at a silent Chase, who looked at us with curious eyes.

"Yes well, she wanted to support her friend and driving in the city isn't easy for people who aren't used to it. How did you manage?" He asked as Raymond shrugged his shoulders.

"While Iris spent her nights working on the Docks all late, I was running through the town and sneaking into clubs since I turned 18," he said as I chuckled, glad to see him smile. The Brooks was never meant for someone as fabulous as Raymond.

"Good to hear. Maybe you can talk your friend into doing the same," Chase remarked, my eyes narrowing slightly towards him.

"It seems like you're doing a better job than me. Although I did already find out that my boss is an art connoisseur. Especially for dark and twisty stuff. He owns all types of other cool underground clubs. I much rather be workin' in one of them!" He chirped as I leaned, listening to more interesting city facts. Like what an underground club was?

"Underground club. Huh? Dark and twisty. It sounds like someone I know. Ivan Mo..."

"Modricks," Raymond finished as Chase whipped his head over, sitting up, now seeming interested.

"Are you saying Ivan Modricks is the owner of this place?" He said as Raymond nodded his head. "That sneaky bastard."

"Do you know him?" I asked as Chase scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"We invest in some of his clubs. We also helped with construction and project management, but it seems like he decided to venture out from what he normally invests in," he explained as I looked dumbfounded at his fancy business talk.

"Well anyway, I mentioned I know someone to one of the caterers and she said she would pass your name along and get back to me," he said as my eyes widened.

"Oh Raymond, no one who owns a place like this is gonna look my way, and don't be doin' me no favors. You worry about keeping this snazzy job!" I harped to him, taking a sip from my coke.

"It was worth a shot. Now, I already know the one thing on the menu that you'll eat, but what can I get you Chase," he spoke as Chase looked down at his phone, seeming to not be listening anymore. "Hello?" Raymond spoke, waving his pen in front of him.

Chase looked up and put his phone down. "Sorry, I was just seeing if I still had Ivan as a contact. He's into whatever he thinks is edgy, but he's not gonna just let a girl from the Brooks show up from the word of a server who is also from the Brooks. But he may listen to me," he spoke, taking back his glass of wine and smiling as if he accomplished something.

"You're from the Brooks, too if you haven't forgotten," Raymond spoke defensively. I felt equally offended, but looking at him, he simply looked too fine to stay mad at for long.

"Yes, but I can also afford the Lamb, which is what I'll be having," he said, shutting the menu and handing it over to Ray who gave me one sly wink before walking away. And here I sat as out of place as always. 

---------------------------------------------------

After the fun of last night, it was good to be back in cargo pants and a tank top, spraying down the rental boats. If I didn't know any better I'd say Chase and I had a first date last night! We may have eaten in awkward silence and drove back with him insisting on not playing the radio, but besides that, it was like a real date. He even opened my door for me when I got back home, although I walked up alone and there was no kiss. He seemed intent with something on his phone screen the better half of the night.

As I finished spraying down the boats I walked up to Gally's small cabin that was just behind the bar, to tell him I had finished the work for the day. Before I knocked, I looked through the screen to see Gally holding a bottle in one hand and a picture in the other. He looked down, his face full of sadness as I was afraid to interrupt him. I looked closer to try and see the photograph he held, only noticing a young woman, leaning against a car with a wide smile.

I leaned in too far that the door began to creak, Gally whipping his head around to me. I let out an awkward cough before knocking, hearing him groggily telling me to come in. "I didn't mean to intrude or nothing. I just finished the boats and I was gonna be heading out," I said as he nodded his head, placing the picture down and turning to me.

"Uh, would you mind locking the shop up for me. I'm closing early tonight," he said as I sighed, looking at him sympathetically.

"I can stay if you need. I really don't mind. I already did the supply run for the farm and we aren't starting a fresh crop until friday, so I'm free," I spoke, seeing him lift up a bit, giving me a small forced smile.

"If you really don't mind," he said as I nodded quickly, wanting to give him no sign of reluctance. "I'm gonna get washed up and then I'll be up there to take over. Thanks," he said as I turned away to leave. Before I left the worn down shack I turned once more to see Gally holding the frame once again, the same sad look striking across for the runaway daughter he would never see again.