Page 15 of The Dance

“Hey,” I protested. “I bought you Whataburger.”

“Oh, gee. Thanks.” She took another long sip, and I realized her drink was almost gone.

“Did you come here to give me shit or what?”

She closed her eyes briefly. “No. I’m sorry. I just have a lot going on.”

“Tell me what’s going on, toots.” I leaned on the bar top again.

“Don’t you have other customers?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Conrad can get them.”

Stacey sucked down the rest of the drink and placed the empty glass in front of us. “The last few weekends, I’ve been going to San Antonio to help my mom out at her clothing store because she’s on the verge of losing her business. I’m tired. And also, I need to get a job like stat, or I won’t make rent because my mom needs to keep her money. Molly has offered to help me for a month, but I can’t do that to her. She’s a college student too.”

“Your parents were paying your rent?” I took the empty glass and grabbed a fresh one before starting to make her a second Long Island.

“My mom was,” she clarified. “But money is tight, and she doesn’t have any extra to pay my rent and stuff.”

“That sucks. Where are you going to get a job?”

She shrugged. “I’ve grabbed a few applications at some bars around campus, but I haven’t even applied yet because I’ve been busy helping my mom on the weekends.”

“I’m sure you can find something. Taking drink orders is easy.” I placed the fresh cocktail in front of her.

“I hope so.”

“Yo, Blake,” Conrad called. “Mind grabbing those guys that just walked in?”

“Sure.” I nodded and turned my attention back to Stacey. “We’re closing soon. If you want to stick around, we can talk some more.”

“I didn’t really come here to talk.”

“All right. Well, the offer stands if you change your mind.”

* * *

Stacey wason her third Long Island by the time it was last call. I’d made her second and third ones weaker in fear she’d puke, and I’d have to clean it up. Walking over to where she sat scrolling on her phone, I said, “It’s last call, toots.”

She looked up at me. “One more then.”

“Did you drive here?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Came straight from San Antonio.”

“Then I’ll make you one more if you let me drive you home,” I offered, even though I’d already decided she wasn’t going to drive after her second Long Island.

“What about my car?”

“When you’re sober, order a rideshare and come get it tomorrow.”

“I’m sober,” she slurred.

I shook my head as I rolled my eyes. “No, toots, you’re not.”

“I feel fine.”

“Start walking and let me know how you feel.” I crossed my arms over my broad chest as she slid off her barstool and started to walk away. She stumbled slightly with her first two steps. “See?”