A Rose to Change a Life

Chapter 8

Pumpkin Ride

As the door to the bar opened, I was surprised that I had not been enveloped by a smoke cloud, I could actually walk in there without getting a cough fit. It was a non- smoking area. Thankfully! I would turn sick every time someone was smoking near me.

The pub had a cozy feeling, the furniture was a mix of country and pure biker, which led to funny things like a beige couch in the left back corner with black flowers and a leather pouch draped over it. In the back of the room, two pool tables were situated, where a few man and even women – who didn't wear skimpy clothes – played a game. The bar was situated on the right side of the room, equipped with a collection of various bottles filled with alcohol, red bar stools and a dark wooden counter. The scent of leather and the forest mixed in the air, I inhaled, it was relaxing, it immediately felt like... home. 

Devin guided us to the bar, pulled out a stool for me and waited for me to hop on it, which I did. His entire demeanour seemed to have changed the moment we walked into the pub, he was more relaxed, like an invisible weight has been lifted of his shoulders.

"Elva. Welcome in the ‚Pumpkin Ride'. May I ask what you would like to drink?", he asked me in this silky voice of his. Pumpkin Ride? I hadn't noticed the name of the bar before, otherwise I might have had a laugh attack beforehand.
"Pumpkin Ride, huh? Cute. Well, what would you suggest?"
"I've heard the Whiskey is really good, but–‚ his eyes roamed over me – "I wouldn't guess you to be the excessive alcohol type, neither do you look like a beer fanatic so I'll order two sodas with lemon." He was indeed good at reading people. I accepted it with a nod, he turned to the bartender, who was a burly man with a bald head, blue eyes and a kind smile.
"So, you are not into drinking either? Is it only because you have to be able to drive?", I asked him to get the conversation going.
His mouth quirked up, "I know my bike well enough as to drive it drunk, but I wouldn't do that. Where is the sense of getting drunk in a crowd where people think 'it has been a good party if you can't remember'. No offense, but I like my brain."
"Exactly! That is what I'm saying all the time too, but no one seems to understand me. I can't seem to understand these people."
Devin snorted, "Well, now you have one who does. Do you often feel like that? As if no one cared?"

Our drinks arrived and we took a sip, it was one of the best lemon sodas I've ever had so far. Pretty ironic, considering we were in a pub. Ordering non-alcoholic beverages.

"Sometimes yes, although I mostly stay to myself, it prevents from me going all nuclear on people with my bluntness. That is why I was rather surprised by your action in the supermarket." I paused, smiling a bit, which made him smile back sheepishly,

 "Huh, yeah, you liked that, right? Or was I too obvious...? I'm not really good at this kind of thing." 

"What, not good? Are you kidding? It was the best idea anybody could have done. It was great. Thank you, I..."

"You what?", he inquired, leaning towards me slightly. I bit my lip, should I tell him? 

"For making me laugh. I don't have a lack of self-confidence, towards the outside anyway, but you.... made me feel like I was special." Now my face had finally reached the colour of a tomato, yeah. Way to go Elva, spill your beans. Make the same mistake twice. My brain caught up with my actions and I hopped off the stool, "I'm... sorry, I have to go."

His reflexes were up-to-date, he caught me, drawing me towards him, back onto the seat. "Heyhey, it is fine. I like that you are honest with me. I adore honest people. I'm an honest person as well. Want to know something of me, too? So we are even?"
My body relaxed again, it couldn't hurt to stay, besides, without him I wouldn't get home anyway. His eyes pleaded me to stay, softening my heart, and building up my self-confidence again. I nodded.

"So, yeah, ask me anything" – he began, but we were interrupted by a song, if I heard it correctly it was ‚The state of Masessucetts' by the Dropkick Murphys. Devin fumbled for his phone, which was stuck in his pants pocket, it wasn't an iPhone, hurray, more an old Nokia. His gaze glanced at the caller ID, he grimaced, shooting me an apologetic look, and turned his back on me: 

"Koralo. Yes it is me... Hm. WHAT?.. what happened.?.... of course.... I'm on my way. ... bye." That was the extent of the conversation I've heard. Koralo? Interesting, I had to ask him about his origin one day.

He turned back to me, his face trying to be happy for my sake, but failed miserable, I began to touch his arm, "Everything okay?"
"No, not really. I'm truly sorry, but I have to go, it .. is an emergency."

 "Of course, that is fine." Liar, liar, pants on fire.

He reached into his pocket, searching for his money, pulling out two bills, but before he could put them onto the bar, the bartender exclaimed, "Keep it, Dev. I have it." My date nodded, hopped off the stool, striding towards the door absentmindedly, expecting me to follow. I still sat at the bar, stunned. 

Was it me, or was I a magnet for short-lived first dates and douchebags? 

The bartender suddenly turned towards me, adressing me with "Hey. Nice seeing you. My name is Steve. Wanna know something? I've known Devin for a while now, ... that guy did not have a good life. So if you aren't strong enough, then get lost." 

Blunt much? Worse than me.

"Lovely way of saying it, STEVE." I snapped at him, my voice carrying an angry undercurrent. I jumped off the stool and made my way outside where Devin was probably waiting.