The rest of the evening flew by. Alfie ended up having a beer between his mocktails, and Josiah didn’t think Denny much at all.
By the time people started to clear out, Alfie’s gaze landed on the wall clock and he started.
“Oh wow, that’s… interesting. I should probably go take a leak and then make my way back home.” He drank the rest of his second blueberry mojito and paid the tab, then leaned over the bar and pushed a twenty into the tip jar.
Josiah didn’t bother with objecting, it was for the twins and Nelson anyway.
When Alfie slid off the bar stool, he wobbled a little, and Josiah immediately reached for his arm. Alfie looked woozy for a moment.
“Holy shit, it’s like I’m drunk but I’m not,” he murmured. “Can you help me to the bathroom, I’ll unfold the chair while I’m there.”
“Yeah, absolutely.” Josiah wrapped an arm around Alfie’s slightly skinny form and helped him through the doors and into the bathroom. When Alfie was steady against a wall, Josiah went back and got his chair. “Tell me what to do?”
“Hand me the cushion first. Pull the sides apart but watch your fingers. Yeah, like that, until you hear the snap of the frame.”
Josiah did as told, and then Alfie put the cushion on the seat and flipped the long foot rest back down.
“I’ll let you pee in peace.”
“How kind of you,” Alfie replied, sticking out his tongue.
Chuckling, Josiah backed away from the bathroom. He leaned to the opposite wall of the hallway and sighed. He wanted to leave the kids to take care of the bar and just… not bother tonight.
The toilet flushed and water ran, and soon after, the door opened and Alfie came out, sitting in his chair. “Alrighty. I’m ready to head home.”
“Awesome, let me….” He walked to the swinging door and went through, then held it open for Alfie.
He found himself walking with Alfie to the front door which Nelson had opened for an older couple. Alfie and Josiah went through, and once outside, Alfie turned to him.
“This was fun. I really like the bar.” He looked at the old-fashioned sign next to the door that was almost like a pub sign in ye olde Ireland or something. “The Hoppy Hare. Punny.”
“It is.” Josiah grinned. “Was nice having you around again. If you’re free tomorrow, we have the open mic night. We open at six and there’s all sorts of performers, not just singers.”
“Oh, that sound really nice. If my body agrees, I might just come by.”
“It’s every week, so don’t worry, you won’t miss out if you miss tomorrow.”
Alfie smiled. “That means you expect me to become a regular.”
“Well, two nights in a row, so….”
Alfie turned to roll down the street. “I’ll let you know it’s all about your lack of stairs!” he yelled over his shoulder as he went on his way.
Laughing, Josiah went back inside. Yeah, he was glad Alfie had needed to pee the previous night. Having a regular like him would be great.
Speaking of regulars, another older, even elderly, couple, Johnny and Hannah, were stepping outside.
“There you are. We saw you talking to that nice young man all evening,” Hannah said, and Josiah threw a glare at Nelson who slipped back inside.
“He’s new in the neighborhood and seems to like the Hare.”
“What’s there not to like!” Johnny boomed.
“Will you two be back tomorrow evening?” he asked, smiling at Johnny’s obvious interference. They both knew how his wife could get with Josiah’s love life, or lack thereof.
“We’ll see. If my sister doesn’t insist on us going to her place for dinner, then sure.” Hannah smiled. “I’ll see you when I see you, Josiah!”
“Stay safe on the way home!” Josiah said and retreated inside the bar.
He told Nelson and the twins to close for him, and went upstairs. He repeated his bath and weed routine, this time listening to music from the nineties, and relaxed. Tomorrow evening, he’d have to face Denny again, and he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be prepared for that. Because Denny knew something was wrong. His best friend might be a bit obtuse about some things, but he wasn’t stupid.
Josiah hoped it wouldn’t be horrible, that he could get through it and maybe, once some time had passed, life would form into a new sort of normal? Different than it had been for the last fifteen years, but maybe not worse? Only time would tell. One day at a time. He just had to start from tomorrow.
