Running Northwest (12 page)

After sitting there at the bar for little bit he heard Derrick yell from the back room that he would be right out. Derrick and Thomas had installed security cameras all over the bar inside and out when they opened the place. He knew Derrick would eventually see him sitting there.

“Get your ass a drink you old fart, I’m not your damn servant!” Derrick yelled from the backroom.

The comment from the back room made Thomas, and the two old men that were sitting at the bar laugh aloud. Thomas walked around the bar, pulled out a longneck and started a pot of coffee. He turned and asked the two old timers if they needed anything. However, they were okay, so he walked back around and sat down on his seat.

The Whaleback was an oddly decorated joint, a mish mash of interests and style that seemed to work in unison. The walls had fishing nets and small lights on them, old fishing supplies hung in various places. Old black and white pictures of the area were hung on the walls. The front of the bar was corrugated steel, the top was made of wood and there were various car and motorcycle parts and memorabilia hung about. Derrick had mounted four flat panel TV’s in different spots around the bar. Above the bar and completely chromed out was the front portion of an old motorcycle. It had the front forks, tire, headlight, handle bars and the front third of the engine. Derrick had cut the old broken bike up himself and spent weeks trying to figure out how to mount it safety on the wall. Behind the handlebars was a cartoon looking wooden humpback whale with sunglasses and a cheesy grin as the rider. It was also their logo on the sign outside. The bar itself was somewhat dimly lit and gave the place a cool and slightly ominous look. Occasionally Derrick would have bands come in and play he also had karaoke every Tuesday night. That went over very well with the locals during the slower winter months, and the tourists also enjoyed it.

A few minutes later Derrick pushed his way through the back door carrying a box of Budweiser in his arms and a cigarette in his mouth.

“What’s going on, old man? How’s your day going? How did the interview go with Alexis today?” Derrick asked as he set the box down on the top of the bar to shake his
friends’
hand, then walked around bar to stock the cooler.

“It went fine I guess. The girls got in an argument but they worked it out. But me and Alexis more or less just talked and caught up. I’m having Alexis hang around the shop for another hour or so with her cousin and let Tracie catch her up on some details. Then I’m throwing her into the fire and having her work tonight,” Thomas said.

“Think she’s ready for that?” Derrick asked.

“More or less. She knows what the hell she’s doing. And after she works with Tracie for a bit she will be fine.”

“Right on,” he said without looking at Thomas.

Derrick finished stocking the beer bottles in the cooler and grabbed one and went around the bar and sat down next to Thomas.

“So now that you brought her up, how did Tracie’s date go last night?
He
asked Thomas then adding “Erin and I ran into them at dinner,
”

Thomas made a low almost growl, took a hit of a cigarette he had lit and gave Derrick a long hard look in the eyes, slightly raising an eyebrow as he did so. It was a look Derrick had seen many times over the years. And the look usually meant something bad or that Thomas was pissed. After a minute or so of thinking where to start, Thomas told Derrick what had happened the night before with Tracie and her date. And what had happened that morning at the café. After he was done Derrick also sat quietly. Thomas knew that his friend was upset about the situation now also. They were all friends and Erin, Derrick’s girlfriend, had become very close with Tracie.

“Sucks man; is she going be all right?” Derrick finally asked.

“I think she will eventually, I think she liked this guy more than what she let on,” Thomas said. “Has Erin said anything to you about this guy?” Thomas asked.

“No I don’t think so, at least nothing that comes to mind. What are you gunna do about it, anything?” Derrick asked, knowing his old friend would be able to read between the lines of what he said.

“I don’t know yet, I’m thinking about talking to Jerry Ruiz, he’s the kid’s boss. But Tracie asked me to stay out of things like this, and I’m sure you know why,” Thomas answered in a low voice as he was looking at the TV hanging above the bar.

Derrick smiled “That I do man, that I do. So are you gunna do what Tracie asked then?” he asked.

“Haven’t decided yet, but for now I asked Tracie over for dinner tonight. Daniel misses her, and it will give us a chance to talk more about it,” he told his friend.

“Aww, what a nice boss you are. You never take me out for dinner,” Derrick said in a girl sounding voice and laughing.

“No, seriously man, that’s pretty cool of you. I bet Daniel can’t wait to see Tracie tonight. I am sure she will appreciate it and you and Tracie have not hung out in while outside of work anyway. So what are you gunna make for dinner for the three of you?” he asked.

Thomas reached over, grabbed his beer, and took a sip of it. He gently tapped the bottle on the wooden bar top as the thought to himself.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I have a little time to think about it. I have to go pick up the dogs from the vets at 1:30. After that, I am going to the store with Daniel after I pick him up from school. He insisted I bring him with me so he can help pick out dinner,” Thomas answered.

“Well I hope you pick something good to make and not your usual crap,” he said laughing, “Let me know if you want me to take care of anything for you regarding the other stuff okay?”

“Yeah, me too; it’s been a while since I’ve cooked for anyone besides me and Daniel. And I’ll let you know about the other thing,” Thomas said as he reached over the bar and grabbed the coffee pot and poured some into an empty cup.

Thomas and Derrick sat talking at the bar for another half an hour or so. Periodically a few more customers wondered their way into The Whaleback, causing the two friends to stop smoking and making Derrick tend the bar. The other server would not be there until 2 pm.

At quarter after one Derrick packed up his laptop, shook Derrick’s hand and said goodbye to a few of the regulars he knew and left to go to the veterinarian to get Harley and Layla, and then pick up his son from school.

Fridays were normally Stephanie’s favorite day of the week, but today had been one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong seemingly all at once. It was nearly four in the afternoon and she was planning to leave early at 4:30 pm. It had been a rough week for her. After her and Karen’s conversation the previous Monday night, she was left in a somewhat somber mood all week. Work went well enough with the exception of today, but she found it difficult to focus and concentrate. Her mind constantly wondered onto thoughts of Thomas and things from their past, things she had not thought about in years.

Karen also had been in a somewhat odd mood since their talk. Usually she would stop into Stephanie’s office periodically during the day and the two would chat for a while. Karen had been very evasive and for some reason Stephanie was the one to initiate conversation. She was worried Karen was
upset with
her, and asked her about it on Thursday. Karen just told her that she was working on a special project for work and that had been keeping her busy all week. Stephanie was relieved to know that Karen was not upset with her, and just brushed it behind her not even thinking or asking what it was.

At about 4:15 pm Karen popped her head into Stephanie’s office. After standing there for a minute or two, Karen threw a pen at Stephanie to get her attention since her earphones were in and was looking down and writing.

“You’re an ass. What’s up?” Stephanie said looking up and smiling, holding the pen Karen had thrown in her hand and shaking it back and forth.

“What are you doing after work, got plans?” Karen asked with a smile.

“Nothing special, I was just going to go home and get Shadow and take her to the park or go to the beach. Why, what’s up?” she answered.

“Wow, you’re so lame,” Karen said.

“I know, it’s called being single,” Stephanie answered back.

“Yeah, well I know that, but you should come and have a drink with me for an hour or so. Then you can go and get your smelly dog and go to the beach or wherever and be lame for the rest of the night,” Karen said.

“I don’t know, Karen; I haven’t had the best day. I was kind of looking forward to just having some alone time and think a little,” Stephanie said, adding, “And Shadow does not smell thank you very much!”

“Okay fine, she’s not stinky…whatever. Come out and come have a drink with me. Just for an hour and that’s it. There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Karen said.

Stephanie leaned back into her chair, rubbing her hand over her face and growling a little bit.

“Okay fine, but JUST for an hour; that’s it though. I really want to go to the beach and go for a run,” Stephanie said, her hands still on her face.

“Awesome, are you still leaving in fifteen minutes?” Karen asked.

“Sure am, I’m almost done with what I’m doing then I’m out,” Stephanie said.

“Okay, I’ll meet you at Moretti’s. Does that sound all right with you?” Karen asked.

“Yeah, that sounds fine. I’ll see you there in half an hour. But seriously just for an hour, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, just an hour,” Karen replied as she turned away to walk out the office door.

“Hey Karen, what’s so important, is something wrong?” Stephanie asked before Karen got all the way out the door.

“No, not at all I just have to talk to you about something important, see you in a bit Doll,” Karen answered without stopping.

Stephanie finished the last bit of work she was doing. After putting some things away and dropping off some faxes that had to be sent in the morning Stephanie headed out the door. It was sunny out, which was a change from the last few days of rain. It was the beginning of May and it still had that spring smell in the air. It was about 75 degrees and there was a nice breeze. Stephanie stood there for a minute and breathed the fresh air in to her lungs. After being cooped up in the office all day, it felt good.

A few minutes later, she was driving down the street and heading for the restaurant. She had the windows down and her moon roof open, her hair blowing all over. She did not care about her hair being messed up, the wind felt great. More than anything, she was in the mood to drive somewhere, anywhere far away. If it were anyone else besides Karen, she would have said no to drinks, or just not shown up. However, since Karen had been busy all week, she was curious as to what was going on and what her friend wanted.

After stopping at a gas station first, Stephanie pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Moretti’s was a small family owned Italian restaurant that she and Karen would go to occasionally together. It was traditionally decorated and gave the impression of actually being in Italy. Karen and her family lived nearby and were there at least twice a week. She was friends with the owners and her husband did their taxes. Karen usually got at least part of her bill discounted heavily because of their friendship. As she drove through the parking lot looking for a place to park, Stephanie noticed that Karen’s car was already sitting there.

“How in the hell did she get here so quick?” Stephanie wondered out loud.

Stephanie parked her SUV and a few minutes later walked into the bar area of the restaurant. She saw her friend sitting at the bar and talking to the bartender.

“Hey, sorry I took so long,” Stephanie said, tapping Karen’s shoulder and sitting down next to her.

“It’s about time. I thought you were gunna ditch me,” Karen said laughing.

“I would never ditch you…unless George Clooney was sitting in the restaurant,” Stephanie said jokingly.

“But then you would have to fight me for him,” Karen joked.

“I’d kick your ass, old lady,” Stephanie said grinning and nudging Karen’s arms.

“Bring it on, Kiddo. Are you eating, or just drinks?” she asked as she stared the appetizer menu.

“Just drinks, I’m gunna grab something to eat later on the way back from the beach,” Stephanie answered tapping her watch and looking at Karen.

“You’re no fun,” Karen replied noticing the gesture and remembering she had limited time.

The women looked at the wine list for a minute then ordered their drinks. Stephanie got a sweet white wine and Karen ordered a mellow red. The bartender brought them a complimentary basket of bread and dipping oil to snack on with their drinks. For the first few minutes, the two friends just caught up on family stuff and home life. Stephanie filled Karen in on her nieces and nephews. Stephanie was planning on taking a vacation for two weeks of June, but hadn’t decided yet where to go. Karen sat quietly sipping her wine as Stephanie listed her off her options on where and what she might do.