Page 13 of Be My Valentine

Chapter 7 / Kate

A pub knows as many secrets

As a church.

(Joyce Carey)

Kate stretched out in bed. She loved Saturdays. She could afford to sleep in and take it easy. Her mother didn’t have therapy and all she had to think about was groceries. And then on Saturdays and Sundays she could have lunch and dinner with her mom. She missed the tranquillity of a decent meal: no sandwiches to swallow on the fly while sitting on a wagon, no dinner in the back of the Mc Gillis pub. Sure, Sunday wasn’t a bad day either, but her mind was already on the week ahead. Reluctant to leave the warmth of the blankets, she basked again. She missed college, studying, being with her classmates and professors, but more than anything, the days without a shred of worry. Her life on campus was perfect, she just didn’t appreciate it enough at the time: she wouldn’t forget the class. She thought back to what had happened the night before in Allie’s store: it had been mortifying, embarrassing, and funny. She couldn’t deny that seeing Mark Arrow cornered by his sister had been a unique sight. It would have been even better if no one had mentioned her boobs. Oh my God, how embarrassing! Emma Cannon was a loose cannon. Perhaps, she thought again, it would have been better if she had never entered Allie’s: she had collapsed crying like a child! She who had sworn that she would never give anyone in that studio the satisfaction of seeing her tears. So much for good intentions! But she didn’t want to think about it. It had happened, it had to be put behind her, and she was reasonably sure that Attorney Arrow would do it. Saturday was her favorite day, or so she thought until she began her shift at the pub that evening.

“There you are, Leannan,” Mr. Campbell greeted her, squeezing her into a hug. He was a big man, almost six feet tall, Scottish to the core, but he ran an Irish pub: it was the beauty of New York, no one cared. The sign with the green clover was enough to know that the beer was good and the food passable, the nationality of the owner was of secondary importance.

“How’s your mother?”

“Better and better, the treatments are working, I hope she can get better in a few months.” Kate replied, tying her short black apron around her waist; tight pants of the same color and a white blouse completed the uniform. She knotted her hair on the fly, securing it with the wand that one of her classmates had brought her straight from Japan.

Why the heck didn’t I think to bring it to the office?

As always, a few unruly ringlets made her even more attractive.

“A table has asked to be served only by you; they’re waiting.”

“Really?” Kate clapped her hands excitedly, “My classmates promised they’d come see me.” Saturday was definitely her favorite day!

“They don’t look like students…”

“What?” disappointment painted itself on her face “My friends are all college students, I mean almost, Allie decided to drop out, but she has a project of her own…” She was rambling on for no reason.

“They look like rich guys, with just as many hotties, one has huge boobs… oh, sorry Kate.” Mr. Campbell blocked the inelegant gesture that had eluded him.

“Oh, no. That’s not possible, not here. That… that bitch!” She blurted out.

“You know them?”

“People from the law firm where I work in the afternoon. That woman hates me. Only she knows I work here! She won’t want to miss a chance to humiliate me in front of her moneyed friends.”

“You don’t have to; just go home, I’ll say you gave me notice and you’re not feeling well.”

Kate shook her head.

“No, no, Saturday night tips are the best. Besides, you wouldn’t believe it anyway. I don’t want to act like a coward; I’m not doing anything wrong, just doing my job.”

“If there’s any trouble, I’ll be behind the counter, keeping an eye on you.”

“As always.” Kate smiled gratefully at him.

She took a breath and entered the lounge. The place was almost full. Laughter, clinking glass and a cheerful buzz: it was a day of celebration, the ideal evening to spend with friends, and everything seemed more unfair to her. No one had come to see her yet, she did get messages and phone calls, but the absence of familiar faces weighed on her like a boulder. She literally threw herself between the tables, dodging with now acquired skill her colleagues who were darting among the customers. She would have immediately spotted who was looking for her, Carson “Boob Job” certainly didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, she saw her immediately and with dismay recognized who was sitting with her. There they were, the full Gleeson & Hanks crew, the blonde pig and the “slightly less creepy” brothers, as Emma Cannon had called them. And, of course, lawyer Arrow, to whom Annie Carson was practically pressing her chest in face, and to Kate’s amazement she realized that this closeness between them bothered her.

For what reason?

Three more women completed the circle: at least it was a table of eight, she could only hope they weren’t cheapskates, just obnoxious.

“Good evening! Did you ask for me?” She tried to appear nonchalant.

“Finally, Kate. I was afraid you were lost in some field between the club and Queens.” That was the greeting the woman reserved for her, looking her up. She rested her hand under her chin showing off her rings.

How on earth could she afford them?

“I’m here, Mrs. Carson, have they brought you the menus yet? Do you know what to order?”