Redemption

Chapter Twenty-One

Song: Never Forget You-Zara Larsson ft. MNEK

I walked into work the next day with a pair of sunglasses over my eyes. The sun was nowhere to be seen but it still seemed so bright outside. Martha looked at me as soon as I walked into the bar, tossing my bag under the counter. I sighed and sat down on the stool, placing my glasses on the top of my head.

    "Someone seems a little out of sorts today." She said, her eyes watching me closely.

    "Yeah. It was a rough night. I'm just extremely tired." Even my voice was hoarse from the amount of crying I had endured. I knew I looked like I had been through a blender, but I didn't have the energy to make myself look at least half decent today. Everyone had camped out at my apartment for the night and I knew they were only worried about me. They had tried to talk me out of going to work today but I hated missing. I needed the hours, anyway. I could definitely use the distraction, that's for sure.

    Martha sat down next to me, "What'd he do?" I looked up at her, my eyes wide. I wasn't sure it was that obvious, but Martha always seemed to be so observant. "Honey, do you know how many times Frank and I fought before he finally manned up? Plenty."

    "It isn't his fault. It's mine. I just... my  ex-fiance' was in town and we got drunk and he kissed me and Elliot saw. He won't speak to me. He told me to stay away from him. Martha, I-"

    Her hand moved to my knee and she squeezed lightly. "Don't blame yourself. He'll get over it. Just don't give up on him if he really makes you happy and I can tell that he does. He just needs time, Andy. Believe it or not, men can be dramatic too," She smiled at me before standing up. "Frank was the same way once, sometimes still is. You have to be patient." Talking to Martha was different than Lexie or even Adam, she didn't know the whole story but still was able to offer support. She was someone who always seemed to know what to say or do, it was comforting.

    I distracted myself with work that had become full as soon as eleven o'clock hit. I was thankful that people were piling in and out the entire day. I was kept busy and that was the only way I knew I could make it through the day. Martha kept watching me, I knew as soon as I looked through the corner of my eye. I glances over at her, smiling slightly as she shrugged her shoulders.

    "I just worry, honey. You know me." She waved her hand and walked away to take orders. I grabbed a notebook from under the bar and walked over to a table to take their orders.

    "Hi, what can I get you guys?" They were young, I could tell instantly. Maybe early, early twenties. Working in bar gave me the advantage of guessing someone's age just by glancing.

    "Some of you, preferably." I sighed, trying not to lose the short patience I had today. I was certainly not in the mood for horny children, that was for sure. I really only wanted to walk away, but I had to be professional no matter how hard it was.

    "Drinks? Water? Beer?" I tapped my foot on wood flooring, counting to ten in my head.

    "Can we get five Yuenglings?" One said, his eyes glued to my chest.

I rolled my eyes, "Sure. Anything else?"

"We'll need a minute." I nodded and walked away, sighing loudly. Why today? Of all the days it could happen, why today? I couldn't get a break from all the bullshit in my life. I had the luck of Bridget Jones, that I was sure of. I slowly poured their beers, taking my sweet ol time. I was dreading the idea of going back over there. Martha was too busy with other customers so I grabbed their beers and made my way over to their table. They were loud and that annoyed me even more.

"Thanks, doll." One of the men smirked.

"Yeah. What can I get you to eat?" I grabbed my notepad and pen, waiting to take their orders.