Barkeep

Chapter 2

As Alex poured Lu her Zima, he tried to maintain an air of nonchalance, though his heart pounded with anticipation and a tinge of fear. He needed to know what had happened to her, how she had ended up here in Goff's Tavern, just like him.

"So, Lu," he began, trying to sound casual, "tell me about your vacation. A resort, huh? Must've been nice."

Lu took a sip of her drink, her expression wistful as she recounted her time at the resort. "Oh, it's been incredible," she said, her voice mixed with nostalgia. "I've never been much of a traveler, you know, but something just came over me, and I decided to go for it. The travel agent found me this amazing deal at this all-inclusive resort, and I just couldn't resist."

She paused, lost in her memories of warm Mexican air and colorful cocktails. "The first few days have been magical. I've lounged by the pool, tried all sorts of new drinks–as long as they come with a cocktail umbrella, of course," she chuckled. "This is my first drink without an umbrella in days! I keep them for work," she absently added as her mind slipped to her real life, the life she had yet to realize was gone. "It's like I'm living in a dream."

As Lu spoke, Alex couldn't help but feel a pang of regret deep within him. While she lived her life and experienced new adventures, he remained trapped in this purgatorial existence, tending bar for the lost souls who stumbled into Goff's Tavern.

"And then?" Alex asked, eager to hear more, but dreading the inevitable revelation of her fate.

Lu's expression faltered slightly, confusion clouding her features. "And then... I'm not sure," she admitted. "I remember getting up to get another drink, and then... nothing. The next thing I knew, I was here."

As she spoke, Alex's heart sank. She didn't realize she was dead yet and didn't understand the finality of her situation. He struggled to maintain his composure, masking his anguish behind a practiced smile.

"Yeah, it's strange how things work out sometimes," he said, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within him. "So, what brought you to this resort? I mean, it's a far cry from the life I remember you leading."

Lu shrugged, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I guess I just wanted to do something different, you know? I've spent so much of my life in a little town, working at the children's library, reading stories of adventure to the kids. But I never really experienced any of it myself." She took another sip of her Zima, her gaze distant as she recalled her mundane existence. "So, when the opportunity came up, I decided to take a chance. And here I am."

Alex listened, his heart heavy with regret for the life Lu had missed out on, the adventures she had never had. And yet, here she was, in his bar, her presence a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

"So, Lu," Alex began, shifting the conversation away from the grim realities of their present state, "tell me more about your life back in that little town. You mentioned working at the children's library. What's that like?" He needed to know more... everything about her.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Lu's lips as she reminisced about her job. "Oh, it's wonderful," she said, her voice brightening. "I've always loved books, you know, and being able to share that love with the kids is just... it's something special."

She launched into tales of her days at the library, describing the joy of watching children's faces light up as she read stories of adventure and imagination aloud. "There's this one little boy, Tommy," she said, her eyes sparkling with affection. "He's always so eager to hear the next chapter, and his enthusiasm is just infectious."

Lu's eyes softened as she recalled her last interaction with Tommy, her favorite patron at the children's library. Not that she was supposed to have favorites, but Tommy's unwavering love of books and boundless enthusiasm were simply irresistible.