Page 13 of Grateful in Watch Hill
This was the closestthing to a date I’d had in months. Years, even.
Running my nightclub hadn’t given me much time for a personal life, not when my professional one was built on making sure other people enjoyed their off time with abandon. I did it well, but the nights left me exhausted with little motivation for doing anything with anyone else.
And the pandemic struck.
After closing the club, I crawled into bed for two weeks and barely come out, only doing the minimum needed to keep living. I slept for what felt like days, and while it was nice, I soon realized the depression and grief I felt over the closure of my business wasn’t healthy. I needed to get out and see people where I could, even if the lockdown and quarantine restrictions made that awkward.
Thank God for Kyle and his booming pizzeria business. He gave me the reason.
And maybe now I have another one...
“I’d like the Dunkel,” I told the bartender behind the counter at Sam’s Deli. It felt good and refreshing to sit on a barstool and order a drink after months of restrictions. Ohio was opening slowly, but it was opening, and people grew braver every day. “The one on tap.”
“Coming right up,” the man replied. “Should I open up a tab, or is someone joining you this evening?”
“I have a reservation for a table, and I’m waiting for someone.” That felt good to say. Another inch toward normal.
“Just tell me when you’re ready to be seated, and I can add this to your check.”
“Perfect.”
He moved away, and I focused on the newscast playing on the television hanging above a few shelves of liquor. A few more minutes, and she’ll be here. I remembered how Kendra looked the last time I saw her before the pandemic—glitter across her cheeks, a sparkly leotard and feathered headband setting off her red lips and pearly teeth. I wanted that woman back, the one who always kept my attention whenever she was inside my club.
Kendra walked into Sam’s Deli seconds after the bartender handed me the drink. She caught my gaze when she arrived at the hostess station, and with a quick nod to that woman, she crossed the room to my side. A smile pulled at her eyes. “Hi there.”
“Hi. So glad you could join me.”
Her flushed cheeks and slightly open mouth told me something was on her mind.
“Everything okay?” I added.
“Yes.” She grinned. “It’s great. For the first time in a long time, it really is.”
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
“Let’s sit at our table first.” She unbuttoned her oversized tweed blazer, which coordinated with a pair of dark jeans. “I have to admit, I’m really hungry.”
“Let’s go then, I don’t want to keep you waiting.”
I let the bartender know we were ready for dinner, then let the hostess know we wanted to be seated. She led us to a quiet section of the restaurant, one with ample space between our table and the nearest ones. When the server arrived with two paper menus, I ordered a large serving of pretzels and beer cheese. Kendra asked for a sparkling water.
“You can order a drink if you want one,” I said when the server walked away. “Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m trying to cut back. I’ve consumed more liquor this year than usual.”
I eyed my beer. “Me too.”
“At one point, it was like every night. I’d hit five and... well, I’d have a drink. I’d wake up to another day of quarantine... and have a drink. Whatever was in the house that I could find.”
“Yep. I did the same thing.”
“The other day I realized I have to stop.” Her shoulders relaxed. “That can’t be healthy.”
I shook my head. “No, it probably isn’t.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you understand.” She sighed. “Do you want to know what I was happy about when I walked in here?”
“That’s the only thing I care about.” I put down my menu. I didn’t have to study it to know what I would order. Sam’s Deli was famous for its burgers, and I craved a juicy thick one with mushrooms and swiss cheese. “So, you’d better tell me.”
