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Everyone clapped.
I tried not to look at Callum, who was sitting next to Sabine. She was scowling while all but sitting on his lap, staking herclaim. Fuck! I pulled out my phone to read the limerick I'd written for the occasion.
"So, folks, our poems may stumble, be awkward at times,
But trust us, the heart's in each line's chimes.
We call it Limericks and Libations, you see,
But all kinds of verses are welcome, with glee.
From sonnets to haikus, free verse, and more,
Step up to the mic and let your words soar.
As for drinks, please order at the bar,
And tip your bartender like the shining star!"
There was more applause. I took a bow.
James and Rose waved at me. I grinned. "We have some friends here from Scotland," I announced.
James and Rose got up, enjoying the attention while the patrons cheered.
"You're from Scotland," a poet called out, "You a fan of limericks?"
I laughed, focusing on the people at the café and not the couple making out and breaking my heart.
I won't let Callum ruin this day. I won't let the asshole ruin my fabulous poetry slam.
"In Scotland we don't do limericks; that's the Irish.Enough said. We prefer aclerihew," James replied.
"Let's hear it then," someone from the crowd cried out.
"Aye, then, if you're sure." James obviously loved it, and so did the crowd. This is what made such events fun: when the listeners became the poets and vice versa.
Someone took a microphone up to James. "Alright, lads, I'm doin' this from the top of my head, so let's go easy on this old man.
"A poet from Edinburgh town,
Wrote verses that caused quite a frown.
His rhymes, though quite clever,
Made sense, hardly ever."
There was raucous clapping.
I invited the next poet to the stage, then made my way down to say hello to James and Rose. By now, it would have felt downright rude to ignore them. We moved to the back of the room, and they both pulled me into hugs.
"We missed you at Thanksgiving," Rose murmured. "Where were you?"
"We had dinner at a bar my friend works at. We collected all us folk with no family and had a blast," I told them.
"That doesn't sound right, young woman. You have family right here in New Orleans," James remonstrated gently.
I looked to check if Sabine and Callum could hear us, but they were busy talking in loud whispers, and their neighbor was getting ready to shush them.