“Yeah,” Daniel said and slammed the mug on the counter again. Not that he was familiar with the saloon. He could not remember the last time he set foot in the place. He just wanted to forget. The more he tried to see the best in a situation, the more he felt like the carpet had been pulled from under him.
“Another firewater, please,” Daniel said.
“Daniel?” Tommy stared at him and tilted his small-brimmed crown hat. “I suppose you will be on your way home now?”
“Hmm,” Daniel bent his head forward against the edge of the counter. Not because he was drunk; he just wanted to be alone. What was he doing? Why was he even here?
Being a doctor was not easy, no matter how many lives he saved. There was always that one that couldn’t be saved.
“Arthur,” Daniel said, “thank you, I’ve changed my mind. I’m going home now.”
“Alright, Doc,” Arthur nodded as he served more customers. “You take care out there, now.”
Daniel had always liked Arthur. He was a good man who liked to give people a second chance, to help the unlucky get back onto their feet and run a good, clean business, unlike other saloons he could think of.
“I’ll walk you,” Tommy took a swig of his beer. “Good thing your horse knows the way home.”
The clinking of bottles and glasses and the chattering of people still competed with the piano man's compilation of cheery tunes. Daniel jumped off the high barstool and stretched, his body stiff after sitting on the barstool longer than he intended. It was nothing like sitting in a saddle.
A small group of saloon ladies fluttered over, friendly as ever, donning feathery hats with ribbons, flouncy skirts over knee-length brightly-colored petticoats that touched the top of their boots. Cap-sleeved tight-waisted bodices in silk decorated with sequins, lace and fringe.
“Thanks, ladies.” Arthur said, “Daniel’s on his way home now.”
“I will be back, though,” Tommy winked. “I would sure like a dance.”
“Don’t keep me waiting,” one of the saloon ladies said. The other saloon ladies left to entertain and dance with other saloon patrons.
“I think it is time you do your dancing act,” Arthur said to them. “There’s plenty of people around now.”
“Some Adam’s ale, please,” Tommy ordered.
“Thanks, Tommy,” Daniel said, “I can see myself out though.”
As he walked past the poker table, he heard a sudden crash from one of the smaller tables. A chair fell backward as one of the poker players took a swing at another poker player, who was held back by his friends. The piano stopped, along with the chattering. The saloon was dead quiet.
“Hey!” Arthur’s voice boomed throughout the room. “You take that brawl outside; none of that in here!”
He was answered by repeats ofsorryand,“No, no problem here.”Instantly the piano started, chattering resumed and laughter filled the room again. Daniel shook his head; he hated brawls and found them pointless, even in jest. That was when unnecessary accidents and injuries happened.
“It’s alright. I don’t mind,” Tommy said as he and Daniel walked through the batwing doors. “I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.” The dusty floorboards groaned as they walked across the deck and down two small dusty wooden steps. Most of the town had emptied and people were beginning to close up shop. The saloon’s huge hand-painted wooden sign was impossible to miss, hanging above the entrance and swinging on the breeze. Being on the corner of the main road and Ferguson Street, Arthur had designed the saloon with the entrance on the corner, expanding the walls on each side to form a pyramid shape. The strange design made sense to Arthur at the time, and he still seemed happy with it and took good care of it.
“Suit yourself,” Daniel shrugged and pointed toward a horse tied to one of the hitching rails. “My horse, Spark, is over there, can you get him for me?”
“Sure,” Tommy said and brought over the horse, helping Daniel mount the strong black stallion. It took a couple of attempts but finally, Daniel was in the saddle.
“Thanks, Tom—” but before Daniel could finish his words, Tommy suddenly chucked the contents of his mug—Adam’s ale—into Daniel’s face.
“Wha—what? What’d you do that for?” Daniel’s eyes squinted and blinked as he wiped the water from his eyes. There was nothing he could do about his shirt and pants, which were soaked. but it was still hot, and Daniel thought they may dry by the time he got home. “What kind of man tosses water in a man’s face!” Daniel demanded, his eyes fixed on Tommy, indignation on his face.
“Time to sober up,” Tommy laughed.
“I am sober!” Daniel hiccupped. “Don’t ever do that again, you understand? That is no way to show respect.”
“Oh, and don’t forget your hat.” Daniel didn’t appreciate Tommy ignoring him but caught the low-crowned hat Tommy tossed over to him and placed it firmly on his head.
“Good luck getting this fellow home, boy.” Daniel heard Tommy say to Spark with a gentle slap to the horse’s dock and Spark whinnied and trotted Daniel homeward.
“You should get home before the sun sets,” Daniel heard Tommy shout after him.
