“Except it won’t end in tragedy because your man Nick thought ahead.” He points again to the life preserver.
“There’s also a canoe outside,” I add, “although once in a while someone takes it out on the water when they probably shouldn’t.”
Charlie stares at me. “I’m starting to think there might be an issue with overserving customers in this establishment.”
“You don’t come here unless you intend to be overserved,” Laura tells him. “Nickers is best observed through the lens of beer goggles.”
“Yes,” Charlie says slowly. “I’m beginning to get that impression.”
I elbow him in the ribs. “I happen to be very fond of this place. You might as well settle in because you’ll be spending the next few hours inhaling the secondhand smoke.”
“There’s no avoiding the smoke,” Laura agrees. “It’s like an alien species. You could hold your breath all night and it would still find a way to seep into your pores.”
“Gee, this place gets more appealing by the minute. Anything I should know about the restroom?”
I cringe. “Oh, I’d recommend going outside.”
My suggestion amuses him. “That pleasant, huh?”
“The smoke gets everywhere, but so does the sawdust.” I rock in my seat. “Trust me. It’s very uncomfortable.”
“I’ll take it under advisement.”
“Welcome back, campers,” a booming voice says.
I look up as Manny places a Sharpie and paper in the middle of the neighboring table. “There you are. How’s it going?”
“Excellent. I’m glad to see you here. Every year I worry it’ll be the last.” Manny drops paper and a Sharpie on our table. I snatch the purple pen before Charlie gets his hands on it. I’m the captain of this ship.
“I have no intention of letting that happen,” I say. “Can’t say the same for this guy.” I bump Charlie with my elbow.
“At what point will you decide that I’m on the level?”
“At the point where you no longer represent Cricket’s archnemesis,” Laura answers.
The ends of Charlie’s mouth hitch up in amusement. “Riggieri is your archnemesis? Why didn’t you say so? I wouldn’t have passed along his proposal if I’d realized you were mortal enemies.”
My face feels flushed. “Laura is exaggerating. I don’t have any enemies. I love people.”
“Clearly. That must be why you isolate for ten months,” Charlie quips. “All that love for everybody.”
“Not Patrick,” Laura says. “There’s no love lost there.”
If there is a god, the crack in the booth would open up right now and swallow me whole.
Ben fills Laura’s half-empty glass. “Here you go, Laura. Something to keep your mouth busy.”
“Who’s Patrick?” Charlie asks.
Before anyone can answer, Manny officially kicks off trivia night. Inwardly, I’m relieved. I was having fun. No need to throw a rotten apple into the bunch and spoil it.
Manny is like the lovechild of a game show host and an auctioneer. He says many words in a short span of time and manages to sound like your biggest cheerleader, even if you’re not convinced he remembers your name.
“First category of the evening is Influential Television Shows.”
The announcement is followed by high fives and fist bumps. This group slays TV shows, which means the competition will be fierce.
Laura’s gaze rests on Charlie. “Well, we know who the dead weight will be for this category,” she mutters.
