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Wednesday nights were usually quiet, and this was no exception. The regulars were discussing the renovations amongst themselves. He was surprised that no one had said anything to him about them yet. The stage had been refurbished and outfitted with a proper sound and lighting system. The furniture had all been replaced, and everything had been freshened up. He smiled, pleased that his vision was almost complete.

“Hey Levi, can I get another beer over here?”

“Sure thing Leo. Coming right up.”

He handed the old man a beer. Levi didn’t know Leo well. He kept to himself, and as far as Levi could recall, only ever talked to Gus. “I guess that means I’m inheriting him too,” Levi thought.

“What the hell was he thinking, just leaving us here like this? Don’t get me wrong, kid, I’m sure you’re good, but Gus is one in a million.”

“Yessir, they sure broke the mold with him.”

“I mean, I know you said he was wanting to retire, but I didn’t think it was going to be this soon?”

“Honestly, I didn’t have much more advance notice than you did. He sprung it all on me right before Mardi Gras.”

The old man laughed, “Sounds like Gus. Always listening, never speaking up.”

Levi agreed.

“Where do you think he is right now?”

“Well, I don’t know exactly, but I know he was going on his first ‘real trip’ since he bought this place. His plan was to drive up to Tennessee to see his brother and spend some time in the mountains.”

“You talk more than he ever did. I’ve known him for twenty years and didn’t know he had a brother.” He laughed. “Now that I know you don’t play your cards close to the vest, what happened with that kid from that night?”

Levi clenched his jaw, not sure how to respond. “What do ya mean?”

“Well, I know that if a girl serenaded me like that, I wouldn’t have been able to say ‘no’ to anything, and if a guy did, I might start questioning my life to this point. My wife hasn’t made a romantic gesture in decades.”

Levi smiled and shook his head.

“What? Everyone in here knows. It’s not like it’s a secret.”

“I know, but not everyone is as enlightened as you are, Leo.”

“Ha! I’ll have to tell Deb that I’m enlightened. I’m sure she’ll be shocked.”

Levi laughed. “Well Leo, I do play some cards close to the vest, so all I’ll tell you is Gus said the kid’s a keeper, and he may be around some. In fact, he’s working on a project for the bar right now.”

Leo nodded.

“I need to ask you something, though. What keeps you coming in here?”

The old man cocked his head to the right. “Well, I guess it’s just part of my routine. Hell, I’ve been coming here on and off since before Gus bought the place. Deb and I had our first date here, granted it was the Sassafras lounge then. She stopped coming after the music stopped, but I kept stopping in on my way home from work every day. Since I retired, she wants me out of the house so she can have her ‘me time’, so I just come here.”

“Holy shit, was it busy back then?”

“Yep, don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind what Gus did with the place, but it was good to have some live music again. That may have been his biggest mistake over the years. I’m glad you’re bringing it back. Just don’t get any of that screaming shit.”

“Well, I was thinking it may not be a bad idea to be open to different styles, but I’ll be sure to avoid the death metal just for you.”

Leo laughed. “I appreciate that. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know Deb likes the blues, and I might even convince her to come back for a good bluesman. You just have to make sure to keep her from getting backstage. Otherwise, I’ll be single and singing the blues myself.”

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled his phone out and stared at the message.

“Bad news?”

Levi smiled. “Leo, it’s the opposite. I’m gonna step outside and make a call. Just yell at Sam if you need another drink before I get back. I want to hear more stories about how this place was then.”

He walked out into the courtyard. It had been closed for a month. When he opened the door and saw the progress, he smiled. “Sometimes the timing’s just right.” He walked over and leaned against the tree. “I hope you like what we’ve been doing out here, old friend. I’ve got to make a call, then we’ve got some more planning to do and if all goes well, Jon will be back to visit next week.”