Drea’s smile was grim. “Her poetry is about sexual harassment, so maybe not?”
Denny sucked in through his teeth. “Yeah, maybe you do it instead of Jo, then.”
“Yup,” Josiah agreed and went to make himself a mocktail.
“Make me one too?”
He lifted his head to glance back. “Hey! You made it!” He smiled at Alfie who walked in with a cane for support.
“Yeah, I took an Uber here since it looks like it might rain.”
“Good deal. Mojito?”
“Yes, please. Blueberries?” Alfie asked cheerily, then made his way around to the empty seat next to Denny.
By the time Josiah had made the drinks and the two mojitos with alcohol a couple of people had requested, Alfie was having a conversation with Denny.
“Here you go, Alfie.” Josiah placed the drink in front of him.
“Awesome, thank you!” Alfie took a sip and beamed.
“Can I get another beer, Jo?” Denny asked, smiling at the energy that seemed to surround Alfie.
The button poetry started, and a hush fell over the bar. The girl, Micaela, had a nice voice and a message that couldn’t be denied. Everything seemed to stop for a moment as all eyes and ears were on her.
Once her poem came to an end, the applause gave Josiah hope that she’d been truly heard. The Hoppy Hare was a pretty openminded place, given the clientele being from all walks of life and various ages from twenties to the eighty-year-old woman who sometimes came in for a half a glass of wine.
Next up was a guy with a guitar.
“Ah, another wannabe Ed Sheeran,” Denny said dryly.
Alfie burst out laughing, almost inhaling his mojito.
“Don’t drown my newest regular,” Josiah scolded him.
Denny grinned, looking relaxed and happy as he lifted his hands. “Sorry, sorry!”
Josiah felt the expression in his soul. Not having Denny for a couple of days had been rough, but at least now things would get better.
A rush of people came in and he started to work alongside Yolanda while Drea handled the MC duties.
While he poured wine and beer, he thought about the idea of Denny being bi. It came out of the left field, sure. But he could understand how Denny could’ve been blind to it all his life until now. It wasn’t that rare. Besides, self-denial was a hell of a drug.
Josiah could admit to himself that poking at his personal feelings in relation to Denny’s revelation was something he should only think about more closely when he was alone upstairs.
He got swept up with work and handed over refills to Denny and Alfie
Alfie got Denny trying out the mocktails, which was something Denny hadn’t done before, because apparently the point of cocktails was the alcohol.
The evening went on with some good performances, a couple of great ones, and a few not-so-good ones that people still supported, because that was how Hare’s open mic nights were.
The last person on stage was a stand-up comedian whose performance revolved around the differences in his life before and after transitioning. It was hilarious, and by the time he jumped off the stage, Josiah was wiping tears and hiccupping with laughter.
“Holy shit, he was amazing!” Alfie enthused.
“Oh yeah, he said he was new, but whoa boy was he great,” Denny agreed.
Then, the door opened and Gray stepped in.
