“We can’t have that.”She turned to Tall Bob.“What do you think, Saturday, downstairs?”
Like a match to gunpowder, the word spread.These assholes did anything for an excuse to open the basement and embarrass me.“No…” I tried to protest, but the plans formed faster than my lies.
Agent Perkins approached the bar to cash out her tab and listened to the arrangements grow.She smiled wickedly at me and made a suggestion for the decorations.
I tried twice to quell the rabble.
Ringo shook his head and lifted his glass.“To the beautiful bride!”
Traitor.
I kicked a spare case of beer loose from its storage under the bar and stood on it to make my voice carry farther.
“I didn’t get married!”
The chatter stopped.As one, the bar set their attention on me.
“I didn’t get married.”
“We saw you… on the live stream,” Molly pointed out.
“That was my sister.You know… Allie?”
A whisper in the back was quickly shushed.
“I’m… sorry.No party.”
“Bullshit!”Tall Bob called out.“We can still party.Weshouldparty.Ellie’s back on the market!”
The roar that erupted was flattering, but also embarrassing.For some stupid reason, I glanced at the end stool.But Ringo wasn’t there.A fifty-dollar bill was tucked under his empty glass.It echoed the hollow part of my heart.
“I got it, it will be anun-wedding party,” Molly suggested.
A patron agreed and added to the concept.“We should dress in black, like a funeral.Except this will be a hell of a lot more fun.”
“Anything with a black label will be on special,” Tall Bob suggested.
That would cut into profits.I narrowed my eyes at him.“I’ll be sure to get you something special.”There was an Icelandic schnapps certain to make even the worst alcoholic turn down a free drink.My evil laugh wiped the smile from his face.
Molly theatrically dropped to her knees.“Come on, Ellie.We’re going to cheer you up.Say yes,please.”
I stared at all the familiar faces.“Fine.We need to dust the cobwebs out of the space before next Saturday anyway.”The more I thought about it, I grew to like the idea.I could gauge the extra inventory needed, and word would get around about the changes I made, further enticing the neighborhood to brave the crowds after the parade.
The bar finally cleared out.Agent Perkins stood at the bar flap, next to the empty chair Ringo had abandoned.“How’d you know?”
I’d had at least a hundred distractions between our conversations, so I was at a loss.“Know what?”
“That I’m an agent.”
That.
“Like I said, I’ve been followed by agents my entire life.My grandfather was Alfred Pulaski, do you know about his file?”I watched her eyes carefully.
“Yes.”
“So, that’s how.Talk to my lawyer.He’s listed in mine.”I tried to walk away.
“Ellie?”
