Second Chances - 6. Charlie's

I stood at the mirror and wondered about the man I was seeing. Six-foot one, dark wavy hair bordering on curly, steel-blue eyes, and build not too shabby, considering my age and lack of discipline in diet and exercise. A tan western shirt over blue jeans and black boots, I shuddered for a moment, hearing Annie’s voice, quoting a country favorite as memories flooded in.

“Why’d you come in here lookin’ like that?”

I turned and smiled. “Too much?”

“Not for here, but I’m not sure I want to take you out in public.”

“Do I look that bad?” I turned and posed for her, smiling.

“You look that good, love. If we didn’t have to meet Kathy and Sean I’d take you here and now.”

“Mmmm. Sounds like a good reason to stay home.” I reached for her but she stepped back.

“Rein it in, cowboy. Just save that energy for later.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Take it to the bank, mister. You won’t be sleeping for hours, and then you’ll be comatose.”

“It’s a deal.”

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts as I refocused on the present. Seven forty-five, Jerod would be rolling up soon. Or so I thought until my phone chirped. I walked to the dresser and swiped it on to read the new message. As I thought, from Jer.

Running late, bet there at nine.

I walked into the living room and switched on a country station. I sat in my easy chair and closed my mind, letting the rest of the earlier memory play out. Before I was ready, it was five after nine and the kitchen doorbell rang. I sighed and stood, turned off the radio, and walked across the room as Jerod stepped in.

“You’re looking good.” He told me. “Ready to go?”

“As ready as I’m going to be, I guess.”

“Then let’s,” he said as he turned and headed out. I followed him through the doorway, locked up the house then joined him in his car.

“You certain about this?” I asked.

“Dead certain. Please don’t back out now.”

“I’m not backing out. I’ve decided to have a good time with my best friend. Regardless of the venue.”

“Works for me,” he said as he started the car and backed out of the drive.

~ - - - ~

I wasn’t far off track; Charlie’s was crowded with the ‘twenty-something’ male crowd, noise and music nonstop, but certainly not a “dive”; more an ‘up-and-coming’ club, it showed great promise. Jerod and I got a couple of drinks and headed out to a large patio area where we could enjoy a smoke and talk while he perused the merchandise. Alright, in all honesty I was enjoying the view as well. A lot of young, well defined men all strutting to be the main attraction. Although I think Jerod was a little put out by the fact that most seemed to be completely uninterested in the two old guys along the back.

The tall ten to twelve foot fence cordoned off the patio, a large cement area with plants along the side and several tables. Those tables nearer the center of the area were your standard height, while those towards the outer rim were raised with long-legged stools. Many of the stools also had backs, which made them a bit more comfortable than the standard variety. Jer and I had found a spot away from the immediate blast of sound from the large doors into the club. There were many tall lamps, not the cheesy tiki-style, but similar in height, that stood around the area. One was almost overhead. When I had mentioned the brightness to Jerod, his response was he needed to be seen. Gave me a chuckle.

Maybe an hour later we were back inside to refresh our drinks when he suddenly turned to me and grinned. “Dance with me.”

“What?”

“Come on, it’s good music. I know you can two-step. Dance with me.”

I’d blame it on the alcohol, but after only one drink, I’m fairly certain that wasn’t the cause. But whatever brought it on, I agreed.

“Fine. But I lead.”

“Deal,” he said with a laugh.

It took a minute but we moved into it fairly well. Jerod surprised me with his ability to follow. Somehow dancing had never been one of our pastimes. We both noticed the looks we were getting; it was a more than a little exhilarating. When the song ended I backed up but he grabbed my arm when the DJ spun up “Against The Grain” by Garth Brooks.

“Oh this is great!”

“This isn’t a two-step.”

“Better, a ten-step.”

I shook my head. “Not that familiar with…”

“It’s ok. Just follow the person in front. And I’ll be right beside you if you fall over.”

I laughed, we switched roles and we proceeded to move around the floor – rather gracefully, all things concerned. One giant ring of half-sober and three-quarter-drunk cowboys all having a great time. Half way through he spun around and started lining it backwards, but that ended when he almost knocked the guy in front of him down. Or – behind him, I suppose – at any rate, we laughed almost the entire song, and it ended far too early, though I was definitely winded. When a slower set started up, I released a sigh of relief and we turned for the bar when an arm wrapped around my waist from behind.

“My turn.”

I spun and looked the youth in the eye. “Tommy, I don’t think so.”

“I’m not at work – it’s Thomas, and yes, I think so. It’s the least you can do to let me apologize for my bad attitude lately.”

Jerod slapped me on the back. “Go for it. I’ll be at the bar.”

I shot him a dirty look before turning to smile. “Alright, Tommy … sorry, Thomas. One dance.”

He latched into me like a spring-loaded back gate and began to grind his way through the song. I stopped, put my hands on his hips, and pressed him back enough so we weren’t sharing body heat. He tried to pull in again and I stopped him.

“We can do this as friends or not at all.”

He frowned. “This is how I dance with my friends. Besides, it helps get us in the mood.”

“I think you’re already in enough of a mood. And you’re young enough to be my son.”

“I’m twenty.”

“Good Lord, you’re younger than my son.”

He tried to nuzzle my ear. “That’s ok, I’m not looking for a ‘daddy’, but we can role play if you want”.

I stepped away completely. “I think that’s enough, Tommy. Have a good night.” I turned and walked to the bar. When I got to Jerod he was almost bent over, laughing so hard.

“That was a riot,” he wailed.

“Shut up, Jerod,” I said then turned to the bartender. “Whisky, neat. Better make it a double.”

“Right away, sir,” he replied and I turned to Jerod. He looked past me and winked.

“Don’t look now, but storm Tommy is about to blow in.”

I turned around just in time to catch the boy’s wrist before his hand connected.

“Nobody walks away from me like that.” His eyes were narrowed and cold.

“Tommy … Thomas, I think you maybe have had a bit too much to drink. Maybe you should step outside and …”

“You wanna go outside? Let’s go!”

About then the bartender showed up and played rescue. “Is there a problem sir?”

“No,” I answered. “A little misunderstanding, but everything’s fine now, right Thomas?”

“I hate you,” he spat as he turned and walked away.

I handed a bill to the bartender and winked. “See, all taken care of.” He laughed and walked off to make change. Before he returned I downed my drink and tapped Jerod’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”

He paused only a moment then stood, nodding. “Sure. Thanks for coming with me tonight, Paul.” He sighed and looked around. “Just thought – I dunno. Guess I was hoping…”

I grinned, my own ‘imp’ springing into action. “Here … let’s give the boys something to talk about,” I whispered. Curling an arm around Jerod’s waist, I pulled him close, smashing his lips against mine. I waltzed my tongue against his, feeling us both begin to respond. I can’t deny it felt good – but I wasn’t quite ready for ‘community theatre’, so finally released him. I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Now you’ve been seen.”

I waved off the bartender, he smiled as he looked down at the size of the tip I was leaving. I grabbed Jerod’s hand and pulled. “Let’s go, cowboy.” He laughed and turned to walk beside me. We disappeared out the door together, hand in hand, grinning like the schoolboys we were feeling inside; children at heart, even now. It felt good to be alive.