Hello Again

IV

 Peter and I walk to the pub we always go to when we meet up with his friends. We're heading that way after spending a nice afternoon in the park. Starting to countdown the days until the Olympics, London is crazy busy as the days get closer to the beginning of the games. But, as what happens on occasion, what started as a date to celebrate my accomplishments on the Brahms assignment has turned into a sports party with Matt and the rest of the guys from college.

 Of course I don't mind going to hang with the 'dudes'. Are you kidding? I'm totally looking forward to seeing how well your American athletes are compared to Britain's. Sure, have as many drinks as you want. I'll be the sober one and drink water. Yes, I'm sure I prefer water.

 Sighing and rubbing aimlessly at rings long ago seeped into the bar at the pub, I ponder all the other things I had planned to do with Peter tonight. After walking through the park we were going to eat at the bistro I ate at with Jurgis (not telling him that's who I shared the meal with), then maybe walk around and enjoy the evening. I really don't know what we were going to do- just anything other than the pub. This was supposed to be our night, not the whole group's night. Peter was even the one who said we should get together tonight to have our own party for me finishing up the Brahms' home.

 All designs were cleared, everything was ordered, I had a team come in and help me renovate the place, and just this past Thursday I finished and was able to take Friday off to relax. Mrs. Brahms was simply thrilled with all her new things. Jurgis... well, I hadn't seen much of him until that last day on the job, after he got home from work. It was a big surprise for him to leave that morning, (before I ever arrived), with the house still needing to have the final touches, and then come home to a completely different looking home. He was pleased to see his mother excited about it all, her showing him all the new appliances, new furniture, new everything. All except one thing did I not change, but I don't think he noticed. When he had a chance to talk to me, he thanked me for all I had done for them, for his mother. This was, after all, what she wanted. I did well , he told me, and then gave me a pat on the shoulder and left me.

 Mrs. Brahms invited me to her Society Party to show off her new place. It would not only give her the chance to make her friends green with envy but also would let me have a little bit of praise in the limelight. She wouldn't take no for an answer, so in two weeks I'm going to go to the Brahms with Peter as my date. Or at least I hope he'll go with me. I haven't asked yet and I'm not sure he likes the Brahms very much. But after ditching me tonight, pretty much literally, he owes me.

 I choke on my water when Peter slaps a hand on my back. "What's the matter with you, Sayam?" his voice slurs a little bit. He's gone over his limit by two, and he just asked for another one seconds before coming to me.

 "Nothing." I say just a little to snippey for his taste. He clicks his tongue at me, pointing his finger.

 "Shame on you for feeling sorry for yourself, Sam. It's not my fault you aren't celebrating."

 "So this, this is your way of celebrating?"

 "You bet!"

 "And tell me, what exactly are you celebrating?"

 He opens his mouth to speak but stops, thinking and looking at me strangely. then he brightens up and says, "The Olympics!" At that one word, the whole group roars in a big whoop and they cheerfully drink on. Glancing at my watch, I sigh again.

 "Peter, I'd like to head on now."

 "But we- hic- just started!"

 "Yea, you said that thirty minutes ago. I'm not really enjoying myself so... I'd like to go home."