Page 12 of Liquid Courage
“Nah.” Kat sat back up. “You shouldn’t ever get used to people treating you that way.”
Vivian conceded that she was correct before asking, “So, how long have you been a bartender?”
“A few years. I’ve done a lot of odd jobs, but this is one of the more interesting ones.”
“What else have you done?”
“Well,for one, I have another job during the morning. I work down at the docks as one of the poor souls who sorts fish as my employer buys them off the boats.”
“That’s… gross.”
“Yeah, this place sure beats that by about a hundred miles. Unfortunately, I don’t make enough tending bar to pay my rent around here.”
Beverly poked her head out of the office. “What was that? I ain’t paying you enough?”
Kat laughed. “More like people don’t tip enough!”
Blushing, Vivian said, “I probably didn’t tip enough the other night.”
“I’m just joshing. Besides, who the hell wants to rely on tips to pay their rent? I’d rather have a sure paycheck to cover that and pocket the bonus for something fun, like eating.”
She admitted that her brand of self-deprecating humor wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but once Vivian realized the bartender was joking, she began to laugh.I bet that drink is helping.With any luck, Vivian would be a barrel of laughs by the time the after-work rush started.
“What other jobs have you done?”
“Ah, bit of this, bit of that. Done construction, worked at shops… one time I was that person who holds the STOP sign on the highway. Rain or shine, I was out there directing traffic like a total knob. The pay was so not worth it.” She decided to redirect the conversation before Vivian dug too deep into the boring specifics of her companion’s work experience.Seriously, this is the best job I’ve ever had. Let’s leave it at that.“What about you? Always dreamed of being a legal secretary?”
“Yeah, right. My degree is in graphic design. Unfortunately, I don’t have the hustle for self-employment, and nobody wants to employ designers these days.” Vivian nibbled on some peanuts. “So I took the first job that would give me full-time employment and some insurance. Good thing I did, ‘cause… surprise! I got sick. Don’t even want to think what those bills would have looked like had I been without.”
“Everything works out for a reason, I guess.”
“Kinda like you tending bar where I have a shitastic date?” Vivian caught herself before she could dive deeper into that pool of thought. “Can I ask you one last personal question?”
“Why not?”
“What’s Kat short for?”
Kat snorted. “What do you think?”
“It’s either Katherine or Kathleen.”
“Which one do you think suits me more?”
Vivian narrowed her eyes. “Kath… leen.”
Kat sucked in her breath and flattened her palms against the bar. “I always thought so too. Regrettably, my mother was a spiteful woman who decided there weren’t enough Katherines in the world.”
“Aw, man.”
“Could be worse, I guess. I hear there were some great Katherines in the past. Don’t know of any famous Kathleens.”
“What about Kathleen Turner?”
“Who?”
“She was inRomancing the Stone.It’s my sister’s favorite movie. I would know. I live with her and have to frequently watch it.”
“Never seen it, and never heard of her.”
