Chapter Two #2
The bar took up most of the right side of the building.
The space behind it was lined with liquor bottles, random knickknacks, and suspended flat-screen TVs.
It also protected the entrance to the kitchen, which led back to the walk-in coolers and management office.
A few booths lined the far left wall, a smattering of random sized antique wood tables and chairs littered the center of the space, and the rear wall sported two old pool tables set up under antique stained glass lampshades that advertised popular beers.
A hallway in the back led to the bathrooms and maintenance closet, Salvador’s usual hiding spot away from Virginia.
The bar was clean, well maintained, and far more comfortable to Aspen than her own one-room cabin a few miles away.
Before she could get behind the bar to start her usual prerush rituals, a short gray-haired woman limped from the bathroom hallway, a wicked frown splayed across her face. Aspen couldn’t help but smirk.
“Looking for Sal, Virginia?” Aspen asked while moving behind the bar, shoving the mail next to Virginia’s coffee cup.
“That good-for-nothing man has done disappeared on me again,” Virginia whined, steading her wobbly, pear-shaped frame against a pool table.
Aspen noted the pain in her sixty-eight-year-old boss’s eyes, her wrinkled pale face showing how much she had frowned in her life.
Virginia Stubbs was a proud woman, pulling her long gray hair into a low ponytail.
She dressed in wide, high-waisted tan pants and a country-western-style button-up.
The limp was a new development over the winter season, and Virginia was far less mobile now then she used to be.
“He went to Eureka for some stuff, but he’ll be back to close the bar.”
“That little weasel—I don’t know why I stay with him.”
“Well,” Aspen started merrily, making her way to the sink to wash her hands. “It probably has something to do with his dashing good looks. Or maybe his commitment to not marrying you. Both things I know you highly cherish in a man.”
“I don’t know.” Virginia scowled in response, her movements haggard as she joined Aspen behind the bar. “That review of his looks don’t mean too much to me. Your taste is tall, dark, and female.”
“True,” Aspen agreed, reaching under the bar for a knife and cutting board.
“Oh…and unavailable,” Virginia added, her eyes keenly focused on Aspen’s face. “So what happened with Cindy—no, Carrie—oh wait, was it Karen?”
“Cathy,” Aspen corrected quietly, grabbing bins of whole washed lemons and limes from the bar fridge. “She was just a bit of fun. I’m sure she’s already in Portland by now.”
“Route 101 giveth, Route 101 taketh away.”
The comment, while funny, stung. Aspen feigned being taken aback. “When did you get hip?”
“Honey.” Virginia pulled up a high-backed chair that she kept behind the bar just for herself and slowly hauled herself into it. “You send me more TikToks than my own grandkids.”
“My bad,” Aspen said, hoping Virginia would drop Cathy altogether.
For a few minutes the only sounds in the empty bar were Aspen’s knife slicing fruit and the light classic rock playing from the speakers. Just as Aspen began to forget the older woman’s jabs, Virginia cleared her throat to announce, “Your birthday is coming up.”
Now Aspen was annoyed. She had been avoiding calendars in all shapes and sizes, trying desperately to not think about the looming anniversary.
“You’re gonna be…what? Thirty-three?”
Aspen bit her lip. “Thirty-five.”
“Wow, your ass looks great for thirty-five.”
“Thanks.” Aspen blinked, her focus solely on filling the bar stock with cut limes. “I guess?”
“You should be more confident. I’d kill to have my body curve like yours. All my weight sits on my stomach, like someone installed a tire behind my belly button.”
Aspen turned to meet Virginia’s eyes. “Hey, now, I love my body. Big bellies, boobs, thighs, and even asses are things of beauty. I’ve never not loved how I look.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m just not used to you complimenting my butt.”
“Maybe I wanna be a lesbian now.”
“I will take ‘Doubt’ for two hundred, Alex.” Aspen laughed, walking by Virginia to wash her hands in the sink, idling awkwardly.
“True. Unfortunately Salvador does something for me no woman ever could.” Virginia sighed before looking at Aspen again. “Is something bothering you?”
“No, I just—” She let her hands drop to the bottom of the sink. “I feel like when you say these things that there is some kind of expectation behind them.”
“What kind of expectation?”
“Like—like you think I’m not happy with how things are.
” Aspen sighed, flipping off the faucet before turning around to lean against the edge.
“I love how my life is now. This town, my job, being this close to the redwoods. You know how it was five years ago. I just—I want you to know that I really do enjoy where I’m at in life. I’m happy.”
“So you like sleeping with random tourists?”
“Better than sleeping next to Kyle,” Aspen responded, trying her best to keep her voice light and playful. “Anyway, I got Cathy’s WhatsApp. I’ll text her or whatever. Who knows, love may bloom. Then you and Salvador can get off my case.”
“Hmm…” Virginia murmured, her eyes still sizing Aspen up. “Most anything is better than Kyle.”
“Besides, if I meet somebody, aren’t you worried I’m gonna quit? Who would tell you Salvador is skirting his responsibilities then?”
Virginia carefully began wiggling herself off the barstool and Aspen instinctively stepped forward to help her.
Just as the older woman righted herself, the large bar door creaked open, and Aspen turned to see Caroline stepping into the bar.
With a quick flick of her wrist, the ranger removed her campaign hat and slid it neatly under her arm.
“I’d say marry her, but I think she’s flirting with a Pearson boy.”
Aspen slapped Virginia softly on the arm but laughed all the same. Caroline’s eyes were confused as she walked to a barstool, making herself comfortable. Aspen moved in front of her, placing down a paper napkin coaster.
“Howdy again! Can I get you something cold to drink?”
“Hey,” Caroline replied, but her eyes were on Virginia. “I very badly want a Bud Light, but I’m actually here on National Park business. I need to talk to Ms. Stubbs, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Aspen breathed a full sigh of relief. “I was just trying to get her off my case.”