Can't Love Christmas

Seven

Ash pushed open the door to the bar and stepped inside. It was empty but for a group of six eating in the corner, and two individuals sitting at the bar. She glanced around, did not see Rowan, and headed to the bar to inquire.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" The blonde bartender was unfamiliar to Ash.

"Oh, I was wondering if Rowan is here?"

"Nope. He's out at the parade today."

Rowan walked through the kitchen door to the bar and interrupted. "He was at the parade. He's here now. What can I get for you, Ashtyn?"

"Oh, a cider I guess?"

"Okay. Go have a seat over there," he gestured to a booth in the corner, "and I will be with you in a second."

She sat in the designated booth and truly took in her surroundings for the first time. It was a standard pub, with vinyl upholstery on the booths, old photos on the wall, a television in each corner and one over the corner of the bar. They were all tuned to the football game except the one nearest the group. That one played the Weather Network. Overall, it was simple, well-maintained, and homey. 

Rowan slipped onto the bench opposite Ash, dropped two coasters onto the table and then pushed one towards her with her cider on top.

"On the house." He said with a smile. Ash couldn't help but smile back, and lifted her glass to clink with his. When they finished their first sips, Rowan placed both palms flat on the tabletop and wasted no time getting down to business. "So, why do you think I hate you?"

Ash lifted her glass again and took a much larger swallow this time. "Okay, so, you've just always seemed fed up with me before I've even had enough time to annoy any reasonable person to that degree. The first time we met was at the Thanksgiving dinner here, and we were washing dishes together and you barely spoke. Then I accidentally soaked your sleeve, and you were like, radiating rage." He winced, but she powered through, "And then I was talking to Miss Charlene about Christmas events, and you totally freaked out about it!"

"Okay, I'm sorry I was so rude that day. It's no excuse, but I was exhausted, and some of the guests that night were being huge assholes and making me question if hosting the dinner was even worth it. It's so much work for so many people, and if people don't appreciate it, what's the point even?"

"I really hope they don't cancel it. I think it's very worthwhile. And those people may have just been having a bad day like you."

"I know that. It was just a bit much. I'm not going to cancel the dinner. I'm sorry. As for the Christmas thing, it drives me crazy how early it starts now. It's like a quarter of the year is dedicated to one day. It's so commercialized, and so obnoxious. Kids these days don't understand the true purpose of Remembrance Day, and so much of the media and the big companies just launch into Christmas so early it totally overshadows a day that we still need to recognize. So, I get a bit worked up about the 'no Christmas until after Remembrance Day' thing."

"Okay. But why were you so cold when you came into the pharmacy that day? Sadiq introduced us and you barely acknowledged me. You cut me off when I was just trying to do my job."

"Oh. I just didn't want to waste your time when the information wasn't relevant to me." He shrugged and glanced back at the bar.

"And then on Halloween, you literally spent the entire night glaring at me. Every time I looked at you, you gave me the stink eye!"

"I did not!"

"You totally did. You were judging me from the first drink you served me at the bar. There was so much scowling. And then you cut me off." Rowan opened his mouth to object, but she kept going, eyes on the table, "no, I know you were just doing your job. That wasn't what I was upset about. The way you did it was just so mean."