Passing Through

Chapter 9: The Art of Lying

September 29th, 2017

Maya, James and Sam sit at the bar with their drinks in hand. It's been a awhile since you and your friends were able to all just hang out and enjoy the night since everyone's schedule has been all over the place. After a while you felt like you and your friends got so much into a routine here that you forgot why you were doing it in the first place, New York became almost a distant idea.

"So, this guy comes in and says that he has never seen a woman like me before in his life." Maya says as she is leaning back on her stool.

"So, how did you let him down, you know, not being the right gender and all?" You said as you try to look as busy as you could so Clyde would not get on your case.

"What do you mean? I'm getting free food out of this, I told him I'm available next Saturday." Everybody laughs which gets Clyde's attention from the other side of the bar. You quickly move away from your friends and ask Earl if he needs a refill on his whiskey.

"Oh no, don't you dare use me so Clyde won't come over here and get on your case." You just roll your eyes.

"You want another whiskey or not?"

Earl just blinks his eyes at you a few times. "Well, if your offering."

You grab the glass and fill it with some new ice and pour a round of Jameson in it before giving it back to Earl. "Thanks." He looks behind you, "But your still in trouble." He then starts to look anywhere else but in your direction,

Before you could figure out another thing you can do to look busy you hear the hum of his voice in your ear. "So, you get one person a drink and think your off the hook?"

Quickly turning around you see Clyde looking good in a denim on denim outfit that he picked out. He hasn't put his hair back up since the last time you did it, but he has asked you if you could do it again on Friday when he was supposed to meet Pete's neighbor's.

"I was doing my rounds." You say with a sheepish look on your face. Clyde just smirks at you knowing that was not the case.

"I know it's been awhile since you've seen your friends, but it's kinda crazy in here and..."

Stopping him mid-way through "I know, I know, I'll try to be more alert." Clyde mouths 'Thank you' before he starts to turn around, you get his attention by putting your hand on his shoulder. You hold out your other hand and smile at him. "Please."

He smirks at you knowing fully well what you wanted. He takes out his phone and puts it in your hand. "Pick a good one."

With a fake shocked look on your face, "You say that like I haven't been picking good songs."

He just smiles and starts to walk away, "Just be ready when I request a song of my choice."

"Oh, so more Patsy Cline, can't wait." As you return your focus on the phone and go to Clyde's music streaming app, you find yourself back in front of your friends. "What should I pick to put on the jukebox?"

"Something with a beat, anything but this." James says as he listen's on to a Loretta Lynn song being played.

"With this many people in here, that tip jar should not be looking that sad, anything that will help with that." Maya says looking at nothing but the pickled egg jar.

"What about Taylor Swift?" Sam says confidently

You hear the entrance door bell ding but don't look up from Clyde's phone. "Evening! I don't know about T-Swift Sam, it might not be a good beat to dance to."