Page 12 of Blue Umbrella Sky
Billy laughed and shook his head. “Friday morning’s a bit of a blur.”
Jon clasped Billy’s shoulder for a moment. “It’s okay.”
“Funny. I don’t remember how I gothere, either.” Billy felt a sudden urge to burst into tears. He took a big breath to hold things at bay.
“I followed you out of the bar because you weren’t too steady on your feet. I tend to worry. Didn’t want to see you get run down by a bus.” Jon took a drag off his cigarette. “You passed out on the ground. Fell as only a drunk can—somehow managing not to hurt yourself, sort of bounced. I tried to get you up, called 911 when you told me you were fine there on the sidewalk.”
Billy felt a rush of disgust for himself. “I said that?”
Jon nodded. “Cops came, brought you in. I could have followed the blue-and-white but figured you could use a little time in the slammer to sober up.” He smiled, and this time it was kind. “I know from experience what that’s like.”
“So, what? You just decided to be a Good Samaritan? Come down and bail me out ’cause you had nothing better to do with your money?”
“Actually, yes.”
“I’ll pay you back.” Billy had no idea how, though. He was behind in his electricity and his rent.
“No, you won’t, so please don’t say it. I didn’t fork out bail because I thought it was a loan. Look at it as an investment in your future.” Jon’s gaze forced Billy to look him in the eye. “You can pay me back by paying it forward, as they say.”
“Why would you do this?” It hurt Billy’s heart to accept this kindness, especially from a man he barely knew. It didn’t feel like the guy had strings attached, but who knew?
Jon laughed. “Ah. It’s not much. Don’t overthink it. Try to have an attitude of gratitude, okay? Just be open to receive.”
Billy nodded. “Well, why the hell not?” He still didn’t feel right about this. Maybe it was because he felt, deep down, he didn’t deserve to be treated with kindness. He turned and looked up, realizing they stood in front of a Catholic church. It looked old, a marriage of fieldstone, wood, and stained glass, its spire rising up toward the skim-milk sky. A broad expanse of concrete steps led to the heavy wood-and-metal double doors.
“You said you knew a place for coffee?” Billy asked, wanting to flee the house of worship.
Jon nodded at the church front doors. “Right here. Good old Saint Augustine’s.”
Billy scratched his head. “For coffee?”
Jon smiled. “It’s made with holy water. Goes great with a side of communion wafers.”
“Really?”
“No, dumbass. There’s a meeting here in—” Jon glanced down at his watch, a Timex that looked like it had taken more than a few lickin’s. “—about ten minutes.”
“A meeting?”
“What are you, a mynah bird?”
Billy shook his head, looked away. When had he finished the cigarette Jon had given him? When could he ask for another? The thought popped into his head that Saint Augustine was the one who said something like “Lord, give me chastity—but not yet.” Not that the quote had anything to do with anything.
Or maybe it did and Billy didn’t want to face it.
Billy felt something very close to dread. “When you say a meeting—”
Jon cut him off. “Yes, Billy, I’ve brought you to an AA meeting. Have you never been to one before?”
“No, no, of course not. Why would I? And I’m not sure I need one now.” Billy felt the anger build inside, the urge to simply turn on his heel and run. Who knew where? Billy knew—the closest local bar open at this hour of the morning. He sighed.
“The meeting’s a suggestion, Billy. You’re a grown man. You can do what you want.” As though Jon had read his mind, he said, “There’s an Irish pub two blocks south and around the corner. Would you rather go there? You’re a free man in paradise.” Jon’s eyes probed.
Billy felt heat rise to his face. Caught. He hung his head so he could better observe the cast-off Popeyes box at his feet.
He heard Jon talking. “Look. Just come in and listen. You don’t have to say a word. You don’t have to do a thing. Just hear what people say, their stories. If you want what’s on offer, then great. If not, I’ll stand you to a beer at O’Malley’s.”
“You’re a weird guy, you know that?” Billy found it hard to swallow over the lump in his throat.
