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AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS drinking, the beer that Nick kept fresh was starting to have an effect on him. The thought of being drunk when he might see Peggy terrified him.
“Stop the beer, now! Gimme a Coke and I need to eat! Two burgers and fries? I thought you were my friend! Why are you trying to get me drunk?”
“If she doesn’t show I could just throw you out with the trash.”
He looked at his watch for the hundredth time: 9:21 p.m. one minute later than last time.
Just as he thought he could not stand it any longer, there she was. He would have staked his life there was a special light shining only on her, every time she smiled, every time she moved. She was here and for the life of him he didn’t know what to do. Nick looked at him and just smiled. She worked her way up to the bar: “Peggy, would you put this kid out of his misery. He thinks you actually remember him, but he’s afraid to ask.”
All Jim could do was give a sheepish grin.
“I didn’t at first, but I do remember that red face and grin. Jim Cole, are you ready to dance the night away?”
“Yes, ma’am. And you remembered my name. A bit more than just ‘red face and grin.’ Don’t you think?”
“Wait a minute! How do you know my name?”
“Us country folks have our ways.”
He enjoyed himself that night like he never knew possible. When a slow song was played and he could hold her in his arms, his whole body trembled. He kept thinking if any two bodies fit together in this world, theirs did. Something strange was happening. It was as if they had known each other all their lives. She was his angel and he wondered if she knew...
All at once he was afraid of what to do next. What am I going to do? ? He thought. She’s used to men falling for her then telling them to drop dead. Now, Jim, just keep calm. What would James Bond do? That’s it! He’d knock her off balance. How do I do that? While he was thinking, the answer was there in front of his face. One of her friends came over and asked her to the restroom. Without ado, she just walked off with her friend leaving him standing there. That’s it! He thought. She left without a word last time when I was in the restroom. Turnabout’s fair play!
He walked up to Nick to tell him good night.
“Where’s Peggy?”
“In the little girl’s room with her friend.”
“So you are leaving her like she did you?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Great move, kid. I may have underestimated you. See you next week. Hurry up...get out here! Hey! Anything you want me to tell her? ? If she asks, that is.”
“If she asks...tell her you think I’ll be here next Saturday. Got it?”
“Great answer, kid. You’re good!”
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