Page 14 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Five
ROBERT SATat the bar, nursing his third beer. He was surprised to find This Is It! was still around. The place had undergone a lot of changes since he’d come there back when he was fresh out of high school with the fake ID that was his one and only act of rebellion. He’d thought it would be fun and exciting, but instead it wound up being educational. The people he met weren’tloud or rowdy, but nice and considerate. They bought him drinks—soda only, because the bartender didn’t buy that he was twenty-one—and talked about how much the city had changed since they had been in school.
He took the last draw on his long-necked bottle of Miller. God, had it really been that long since he’d had a beer? He tried to think back, and couldn’t recall. It was cold and refreshingand—
He glanced at the clock on the wall. Dinner service had started. He should call Noel to make sure things were going okay. He reached into his pocket for his phone and stopped. Noel could handle it, and he didn’t need Robert micromanaging what he was doing.
“Would you like another?”
Robert looked up at the bartender, who stood smiling at him. “Sure, please.”
He reached beneath the counterand came up with another bottle, which he popped the top from. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.” He put the bottle down.
“I haven’t been here for many years.” Robert grinned. “A lot has changed.”
The bartender chuckled as he ran a rag over the chrome fixtures. “The owners are always trying to keep things fresh for the customers. So, what do you do?”
How weird was it that Robert didn’tknow if the man was genuinely interested or if he was flirting? It had been so long since anyone had made a pass at him, he wasn’t sure if that’s even what it was.
“I’m the director of the Tenth Street homeless shelter.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Robert could see the moment he lost interest. It was fine. Even if the young man had been interested in Robert, the feelings weren’t reciprocated.He’d told Noel a while back that most men wanted someone who could have his entire focus, and he could never give that to anyone. The shelter—the people—were his life, and he couldn’t walk away from that.
“I’ve got another customer. I hope I get the chance to see you before you leave.”
“Sure.”Whatever.
He turned and sauntered off to the end of the bar to take care of a new arrival, and Robertlet out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure how he would turn the guy down if he had been interested. The guy was cute enough, but it wasn’t like Robert would have taken him back to his place. He didn’t do casual sex, and even if he did, it wouldn’t be at the shelter.
When nature came knocking on his bladder, Robert decided it was time to call it a night. While he was grateful for what Noel hadoffered, it had been awkward at best, and probably not something that would be repeated anytime soon.
He wondered what Noel would say when he got back at a little after ten. For as much as Robert appreciated how Noel pushed him out of his comfort zone, Robert still yearned to be home.
He drained the remainder of his beer, then placed the bottle back on the bar. He fished a five out of his pocketand put it beside the empty. He realized the bartender hadn’t charged him for his last drink, so added another five to it. He turned and looked around for the bathroom. He was ready to get out of the bar and back to where he was most comfortable.
How pathetic am I that I’m not comfortable talking to people unless they’re bringing their problems to me? Tell me you don’t have a place to spend thenight, and I’m your guy. Tell me you haven’t eaten in a couple days, and I’ll get you fed. Got a baby that needs changing? Sure, no problem. Put yourself out there for a guy who’s interested? Oh, hell no.
“Leaving already?”
The bartender was back, but Robert was sure he saw relief on the man’s face.
“Yeah, I have an early morning tomorrow. Need to make breakfast for a couple hundred people.”
Why should he try to be someone he wasn’t? The guy wasn’t interested, and truth to tell, Robert wasn’t either. He was, however, surprised when the man stuck out his hand.
“Well, it was good to meet you. My name’s Jason. I hope you’ll get back in to visit us again.”
Robert was perplexed. Maybe he’d read the signs wrong. It wouldn’t surprise him at all. He had always sucked at social interactionthat didn’t take place in front of the camera or when he was being interviewed. Put him on stage, and he could sell ice to the Eskimos. But expect him to make small talk? Hardly. If it wasn’t about the shelter or his people, Robert was tongue-tied.
He gripped Jason’s hand and gave it a shake. “Robert. Good to meet you.”
“Same here. Hope you have a great night.” He cleaned where Robert had beensitting, put the money in the register, then turned and waved at someone who called his name.
No small bit of shame washed over Robert as he realized how he’d misjudged Jason. While Jason’s back was turned, Robert pulled out his wallet and took a twenty from inside and put it down for Jason. He really shouldn’t be spending the money, especially with the bills coming due, but he hoped the tipwould assuage his own guilt at his less-than-charitable thoughts.
Now, however, his bladder was screaming at him to pay attention, so Robert headed down the hall to the gents.
When he was done, he washed his hands and took a good look at himself in the mirror. He’d celebrated his forty-first birthday not long ago, but he thought he still looked younger. Maybe not. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t thinkhe looked too bad, though.
