Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
AIDAN
Over the past year, Jamie has slowly been encouraging me to spend more time with him outside of Double Double, grabbing beers at Bones or playing disk golf.
I still have no idea what the latter is, and beer is not my drink, but the more I keep denying his invites, the more the corner of his mouth dips in disappointment.
I could very easily sit alone in my house like the depressing creature I am, or I could venture out into the modern world and enjoy its attributes.
So, I finally agreed. It wouldn’t be that difficult.
Even if all I did was show up at the bar, at least I could say I put in the effort.
It took over a decade of being a vampire before I finally stopped mourning the loss of my old life and started a new one.
It was an old friend, actually, who introduced me to a new way of life, and he never judged me for my worst mistakes.
It’s only because of him that I’m now able to sit at a table with a werewolf and human while eating peanuts and watching an American football game.
Neither Jamie’s nor Layton’s favorite teams made it to the semi-finals, but they both want the players in the red jerseys to lose.
I don’t have an interest in sports, but I have come to enjoy the camaraderie that attending these ‘watch parties’ provides me.
I’ve even developed a fondness for Layton, but mostly because he brings the food.
I really enjoy the appetizers eaten at a football game: pizza, nachos, mixed nuts, and little sausages wrapped in pastry. I’m not sure what they’re called, but they are delicious when dipped in mustard.
The game goes by quickly while Jamie and Layton share stories about what’s been going on in their lives. From my extended time around humans, I’ve learned that men gossip just as much as women. No matter the conversation, I tend to be the one listening more so than being a participant.
It’s halftime when Layton gets to his feet and stretches his long arms to the ceiling.
“Gonna take a lap around the block.” Jamie recently informed me that Layton gave up cigarettes, and while the little patch on his arm helps with cravings, he still needs something to do to fill the time spent when he’d normally be smoking.
As I watch Layton maneuver through the empty tables at Bones, I realize I haven’t contributed much to the conversation.
I want to show I’m more than just a wallflower in the group, so I glance back at Jamie and try to come up with a conversation starter.
The last time Layton and I spoke, he told me that Jamie hired his niece as the new day manager at Double Double, so I start there.
“How is Simone acclimating to her new job?” I ask Jamie as he takes a long swig from his glass.
“I think she really likes it,” he says. “I haven’t heard any complaints.”
I lift my own drink to my lips, needing something to do. I desperately try to think of something else I can ask as a follow up, and another employee comes to mind. “Does Casey like working with her?”
Jamie’s mouth curves upward into a knowing smile. “I think they like working with her very much.”
I cock my head. I seem to have brought up a stimulating topic. “Why do you say it like that?”
Jamie smirks as he gazes wistfully across the bar. “I’m pretty sure our barista has a massive crush.”
Oh. I didn’t realize there was something between the two. “Are they about the same age?” I ask.
“She’s twenty-five, they just turned twenty-two.
” Jamie shifts to sit straighter in his seat, and I realize I’ve somehow landed myself in a tête-à-tête.
“I was surprised they were interested in anyone, really,” he admits.
“I’ve gotten to know Casey quite a bit since they started working for me, and I never got the impression they were interested in dating.
” He pauses. “I know it’s been hard for them, finding their identity.
Dealing with something like that while also having a crush is a whole new level of difficult. ”
“And being a werewolf,” I add.
Jamie nods, wide-eyed, confirming I’ve made a good point. “I want them to be happy. They remind me a lot of myself. I struggled too, especially with the change. If I can make things easier for them, even just that one part, I’d like to.”
I admire Jamie for his innate ability to care for others. He thinks of everyone else before himself—a trait I wish I could say I had.
Sensing the conversation has ended, I glance around the empty bar.
Maurice, the owner, makes the occasional appearance on the floor as he pretends to tidy up the place, despite no other customers coming in to make a mess.
Now that I think about it, I don’t remember the last time I saw Bones packed for a sports game.
In fact, I rarely see anyone here at all.
Layton makes his way back to the table. He’s pulled his loose dreads into a ponytail at the back of his head.
“Do you come here when there’s not a game on?” I ask collectively as Layton makes his way back to the table.
Layton sits down, his face screwed up in thought as he considers.
“I don’t,” Jamie says matter-of-factly, “but apparently Lay has to think about it.”
“It’s not a hard question.” I hope my tone has conveyed that I mean it as a joke.
I’m set at ease when Layton’s eyes squint and his mouth opens to let out one giant guffaw.
“Damn, Aidan.” He laughs again, seemingly surprised by my ability to poke fun at him.
“I was trying to remember the last time I was here, thank you very much. But to be honest, the only reason we suggested it was because Jamie’s house is off limits. ”
Jamie hums in agreement. “Raegan’s mom is there. You don’t want to be.” Layton grimaces. “You make a good point, though,” Jamie continues. “I used to stop by and get a beer after work sometimes when I was in my twenties, but I sort of just…stopped.”
“Yeah, getting older does that to you,” Layton agrees. “No use having a drink when just one will give you the feeling of having had five the next day.”
“Right? Why is that?” Jamie’s eyebrows are skyhigh, downright exuberant with demand. “All I have to do is lift one heavy thing and my back is done for the next week. I’ve had to ask Rae to cool it on the new bookshelves.”
Layton and I both shake our heads and exchange knowing looks; we’re both aware of Raegan’s love for books.
“Actually,” Jamie continues to ponder aloud, “There used to be a singer who performed here every Friday night—that ghost girl Raegan really liked.”
“Right.” Layton draws out the word as the realization dawns on him. “I heard about her. She moved on.”
“Moved on?” I ask.
Layton nods, his eyes wide in an all-knowing look. “To the afterlife. She was a ghost.”
All the ghosts I know either chose to linger on the earthly plane or are still working through their unfinished business. It’s a rare thing to meet a ghost that’s accomplished what they set out to achieve and migrated to the great beyond, whatever that may be.
“I remember because Simone took it pretty hard,” Layton adds. “They were friends.”
Having been given the perfect segue, I take the opportunity to ask about his niece. “How is she? Do you like working together?”
Layton’s face brightens. “Yeah man! Real good. I feel like she might have found her calling. She’s great with the customers, and she and Casey have gotten real tight.”
I glance quickly at Jamie who’s already looking at me.
Layton doesn’t notice. His attention has turned back to the television mounted on the wall in front of us.
The announcers are recapping the last play in which there was some confusion as to where the ball landed.
I tune out just when Jamie and Layton tune back in, leaving me to watch Maurice wander out from behind the bartop again and start straightening chairs.
I get up and make my way to the older man.
He eyes me as I get closer, but doesn’t step back like most humans.
Maurice is probably more inclined to paranormals than his own kind, given Bones is a place where everyone comes to gather.
I’ve gotten the sense he’s a loner. He keeps the bar going, but I never see him outside of it, or with anyone else.
“Mr. Ward.” He nods as I approach.
I nod back. "Maurice. And please, call me Aidan." Maybe the fourth time I tell him it will stick. "How's business been lately?"
I didn’t want to hit the nail on the head too early, but I’m anxious to hear his answer. Given the information I was given just a few moments ago, I know that Bones is most likely hemorrhaging money.
Maurice dips his head, shying away from the topic. “You noticed, huh?” His southern drawl adds an extra emphasis on the severity of the situation.
“I’m old, Aidan,” he says bluntly. “I don’t have the same drive I once did to keep this place afloat.
Bones ain’t the spot it used to be, not since we lost our regular entertainment.
The old crowd is too old to leave their houses, and the young kids don’t spend their free time in bars—they go to that fancy golf place in the city or drink in parking lots. ”
I can hear how slowly his heart is beating, even as he’s working himself up.
Blood doesn’t pump the way it should as humans age; pathways restrict, causing stress on various organs.
Despite knowing this, I can hear it in his voice and in the way he slumps against the chair, just underweight enough not to knock it over.
“Would you ever consider selling?” I ask.
Maurice's eyes go wide just as the favored team scores on the television. Jamie and Layton are cheering and high-fiving out of the corner of my eye, but my focus is on the old barkeep in front of me.
He cocks his head, tiptoeing toward his next question. “Well, son, are you offering?”
I don’t know what’s got me so invested all of a sudden, but I’m starting to think I could help. “I think I am,” I say, feeling more confident as the words come out.
“Mr. Ward—Aidan, if I was gonna sell this place, I’d be done for good. I don’t want no buy out. I want someone who will take it over and bring it back to life. Do you know anything about bars?”
“I know how to run a business.” My father showed me all the things not to do as a business owner, so I have a solid idea of what I should do, but Maurice doesn’t need to know that.
Just then my phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it.
“A bar is more than a business, son,” Maurice interjects. “It’s a commitment. You won’t just be servin’ customers, you’re creating a community. A place for everyone to gather, no matter what time a day, rain or shine, you’re there for people when they’re up and when they’re down.”
It might sound like a daunting venture to take on, but hearing Maurice’s warning only makes me want to do this even more.
I’ve been searching for something more meaningful to do with my time.
What if this could be it? What if instead of throwing my money at walking trails or movie theaters, I put it toward something like this?
Something that could really make a difference in the community.
I’m about to say something of the sort, but my phone starts buzzing again, only this time it’s louder and lasts much longer. Someone must be calling me.
“I really want to talk about this some more, but I should probably take this,” I tell him. “Why don’t I come by tomorrow?”
Maurice places a frail hand on my shoulder, a considerable feat given how much shorter he is than myself. “That sounds good, Aidan. I’m looking forward to it.”
The man actually looks pleased as I dart past the table where Jamie and Layton are sitting and out the front door. They watch me through the glass as I glance at my phone screen. Good thing my back is to them, because Joanna Shepherd is calling me. And I have a missed text from her.
THURSDAY 8:12 P.M. hey, what’re you doing?
I answer smugly without saying hello. “Well, well, well. Seems like you couldn’t stay away, could you, little fly?”