Haunted

Chapter 10:

Ashley

O'Malley's was a quaint little Irish pub located in the heart of downtown. The place was set up much like a restaurant, with booths lining the sides of three of the walls and small two-to-four-person tables scattered throughout the middle. A giant mahogany bar ran the length of the north wall and three pool tables were situated at the rear of the room. A large group of people were gathered around one table in particular, seemingly to cheer the players on. Occasionally, the relatively quiet atmosphere was broken by either a loud shout or groan, depending on the outcome of the shot being taken.

The pub was well-lit, its cream, wood-trimmed walls decorated with a variety of pictures and tins that instantly made the place feel homey and welcoming.

I spotted Ruth and Margaret sitting side-by-side in a large booth directly opposite the bar. Margaret waved me over.

"Hey, Ashe," she said as I slid into the bench across from them.

"Hello, ladies," I greeted. Looking at Margaret, I added, "Congrats on the successful exhibit."

"Thanks!"

A server appeared at our table, as if she'd been watching from the wings and waiting for just the right chance to swoop in.

"Whatcha gals drinking tonight?" she asked, pulling out her notebook.

"I'll have a white wine spritzer," Maddie said.

Rochelle held up her finger. "Vodka and cranberry juice, please."

The server turned to me expectantly.

"Umm...Bud Light."

"From the tap or in the bottle?"

"Bottle, please."

"Okay." She flipped her notebook closed and stuck her pen back in her ponytail. "I'll have those out in a jiffy."

Ruth and Margaret just started at me, their mouths slightly agape.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Budweiser?" Ruth asked incredulously. "Since when do you drink beer?"

"I'm hungry. It goes better with fries. Shit!" I slapped my hand down on the table in dismay. "Don't let me forget to order food when she comes back!"

Ruth just smiled and shook her head. "Whatever you say."

"New outfit?" I asked Margaret, artfully changing the subject.

She tugged at the lapel of her OD green motorcycle jacket. The color contrasted nicely with her black shirt and black skinny jeans. For a finishing touch she had added a silver and gold chain necklace. "Yeah! I got it just for tonight."

"It's super cute," Ruth complimented.

"Definitely," I agreed.

"Talk about super cute," Margaret said to Ruth, "I love your outfit. You always look so put together."

That was an understatement. Ruth always looked like she had just come off a photo shoot. Working at a clothing retailer certainly had its benefits. Today she had chosen a mauve button-down blouse with ruffles at the sleeves. The portion than ran along her collarbone and around to her back was made out of delicate sheer lace in the same color. Her white capris were starched and ironed so that a crisp crease ran down the middle, and I don't know where she always found shoes that matched whatever outfit she was wearing, but this time she had on white wedge sandals with silver, white, and pink gemstones. A pair of silver hoop earrings and a white wrist cuff topped everything off.