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“Do you think Gus can stay away from the bar now that he’s back in town?”

Levi glanced at Jon and smiled. “Probably not, but I’ll do my damnedest to keep his ass from working. He deserves to relax. It’s high time I took care of him, considering how he picked me up out of the gutter and tried to put me back together.”

“I know what that’s like. I want to start paying you back as soon as I can. You better be keeping a tab of what I owe you,” He paused, “and maybe double it for putting up with my moody ass.”

“I don’t think your ass is moody. In fact, I think you have a very nice ass. I’m rather fond of it.” He winked at Jon, who just shook his head and laughed.

“I mean it Levi. I feel like I’ve been a freeloading bum, and I want to help.”

“And you will. But like I told you that day, I’m not holding anything against you. No tab either. When you get paid if you want to split the bills, I won’t argue, but I’m not going to push you either way.”

Jon looked out the window and didn’t say anything else. Levi placed a hand on his knee. Jon took his hand and squeezed it.

“So wonder how long it’ll be before you hear anything about either of the jobs?”

“I don’t really know. I figure it’ll be a few days on the one I interviewed for, and there’s no guarantee that the other one will even reach out or if it is even anything I’d be interested in.”

Levi thought for a moment as he pulled into Gus’s driveway.

“I hadn’t really thought about that. Remember, I’ve only had one job since I graduated high school, and I kinda fell into it, so I don’t have much experience with the job hunt or interviews.”

“Levi, I’ve never been through this before either, and it’s scary. I just hope it isn’t all for nothing.”

“I know, babe, but remember, I have faith in you, and I think everything will work out. Now put your party face on because Gus said he was doing something special.”

“I doubt he can outdo the last cookout.”

“I dunno. He sounded giddy and wouldn’t tell me anything, so I have no idea what we are about to walk into.”

Gus opened the front door and stepped out. “Y’all ain’t doing anything indecent out there, are you? Get your asses in here. The food’s almost ready.”

As they approached the entry, Levi thought he saw something different about the old man, but he wasn’t sure what it was.

“Well, aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes? I’ve missed ya.” He embraced them both and nearly dragged them across the threshold. “Jon, Levi wouldn’t tell me a damn thing about the bar other than ‘everything’s fine’. What can you tell me?”

Jon looked at Levi and smiled. “I’m sorry, but I was sworn to secrecy. I don’t even want to know what the dire consequences he threatened me with could be.”

Levi was shocked and then fell into a laugh. “Damn Jon! Don’t get me in trouble! Gus, I made him promise not to tell you anything, but I swear I didn’t threaten him.”

Gus scowled. “I swear, if there are disco balls or drag queens, I’m kicking both of your asses. Not because I disapprove, but I just don’t think it’s a viable business model here.” His scowl faded into a smile. “Tomorrow. You. Me. The bar.”

Levi smiled and nodded. “Yessir”

Jon interjected. “So Gus, did you enjoy your trip? What part of Tennessee were you in?”

“Ok. Don’t think an old bartender doesn’t know an awkward change of subject when he hears one. But I think I’ll capitulate because the two of you like being coy. Jon, I was just outside the Smokies. Russ has a cabin just outside of Gatlinburg. Grab a beer and let’s head out back. The fixins are ready and it’s time to grill the steaks.”

Levi chimed in, “I’ll grab the beer. Jon, you help Gus with the food.”

Gus grabbed a plate of rolls and pulled another plate from the refrigerator. He nodded at a bowl of potatoes and a plate of corn on the cob. Jon grabbed the sides as they headed to the backyard. He turned to Jon. “How do you like your bear? I recommend well done to be safe. Don’t worry, I promise it won’t be too tough.”

Levi laughed as Jon’s eyes grew wide.

“Did you say ‘bear’?” Jon asked. Levi couldn’t tell whether his voice held fear or curiosity.

“I did.” Gus was beaming. “I’d forgotten how good it was, and Russ sent a few steaks and some ground back with me. I hope I can go back later this year and hunt for one for myself.”

Jon looked lost for a moment, then shook his head. “I’ve never had bear before, but I’m definitely open to new experiences.” He flashed a smile at Levi.

“Jon, Levi told me you had a job interview today. How did it go?”

“It went well, and I’m just waiting to hear back. There was an odd thing, though. One of my interviewers spoke to me at a coffee shop and said that she wanted me for the job, but then asked for my permission to pass my resume on to a friend of hers who was also hiring.”

“Did she say what that job would be?”

“No, she just said that it would be a good opportunity.”

“That is odd. Well, she said she wanted you for the one, so it sounds like you might have two good chances now.”

Jon’s phone rang, and he excused himself to go inside to take the call.

As soon as Jon was inside, Gus turned to Levi. “How’re things going with the kid?”

“They’re going fine. I feel like there’s something there, but I’m scared. If he gets either of these jobs, what if he decides he doesn’t want to commute anymore and move closer to work?”

“You can’t live your life in fear anymore, Levi.”

“I know, but I also don’t want to make him feel tied down if it would be better for him.”

“You are going to fuck this up if you aren’t careful. Don’t wait too long and come crying to me about what might’ve been.”

Levi opened his mouth to respond when Jon came running out the back door.

“Slow down, you’re going to hyperventilate, and we can’t understand a word you’re saying.” Gus had taken him by the arm.

Jon took a deep breath. “Ok, that was the lady that the interviewer had said might reach out. She didn’t give me a lot of detail because she said it would be better coming from the person who actually does the job now. I’d be his replacement because he’s retiring. But the salary would start the same as the other, and then a fifty percent increase once I step into the role permanently.”

Levi felt his jaw drop. “That’s good, right?”

“Hell yeah. The company is based in Galveston, but she said I could work from home most of the time. They’re really laid back.”

Gus interjected, “now I know this is wonderful and exciting news, but did she say you were hired?”

Jon took a swig of his beer. “No, not yet. She only called today because she wants to do a web conference tomorrow kinda like an interview. She just wanted to know if I’d be available to chat then. So I’ll know more tomorrow. She said that if after this meeting I want the job and they think I’d be a good fit, I would have to go to Galveston next week every day to get my computer and access and HR stuff all worked out.”

Levi frowned. “A week in Galveston every day? That’s gonna be almost two hours a day on the bus during rush hour each way. I’m not trying to rain on your parade, but that sounds like a bit much.”

Jon shook his head. “She said since I was far out and riding the bus that they would put me up in a hotel because Monday through Thursday could be long days and Friday would only be a half-day, anyway. I’d just have to ride the bus twice, Monday and Friday.”

Levi opened his mouth to argue further when Gus interjected. “Nonsense. I need to go to Galveston anyway, so I’ll give you a ride Monday if they offer the job and you take it, of course. That would make it only one bus ride. Now, let’s eat.”

Jon stared at his plate. Levi and Gus both watched with amusement as he slowly sliced off the tiniest of pieces. He held the fork up and stared at the morsel on the tines. “Levi, have you ever had bear before?”

“I have. I used to hunt all the time when I was a kid.”

“It ain’t gonna bite ya, son. You better hurry and start eating before it gets cold.” Gus laughed.

Jon closed his eyes and took his first bite. Gus and Levi watched him as his face went from unsure to a wide smile. “Holy shit! This is amazing.”

Gus smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

Jon devoured his food, struggling to balance savoring each bite and swallowing the steak whole.

“Levi, what time do you want to meet at the bar?”

“How’s noon sound? I have to be there at one anyway tomorrow, and that’ll give you time to take in what’s been done so far.”

“Why do you have to be there at one?”

Jon spoke, his mouth full of food. “Is that to meet…”, but he stopped himself when he caught Levi’s glare. Levi hadn’t told Gus about the live music returning regularly and didn’t want him to find out tonight. He didn’t want a discussion of Gus’s musical dislikes.

“Meet who?”

“You’ll see. That’s another reason I said noon. An hour for you to see the place alone, and then…well that’s part of the surprise.”

Gus grumbled something about not liking surprises.

“So other than relaxing and eating Smokey the Bear for dinner, any exciting stories from your trip?”

“Well, not really. We did a lot of hiking. Those mountains can be therapeutic. Though there was this crooked-ass road Russ insisted we had to go across filled with suicidal motorcyclists. I just knew we were about to die. I think he called it ‘the dragon’. All I knew is I would’ve rather been at my dragon. The scenery was beautiful, though. Almost made it worth a near heart attack. Those damn curves.”

“I think I saw something about that online. Were the motorcycles trying to go as fast as they could? If they were, they were probably filming to post somewhere.”

“That’s why I said they were suicidal.”

“So you just mostly sat around and wished you were working?”

“Well, retirement is an adjustment, Levi. Besides, I haven’t spent time with Russ in years. We had a falling out years ago, and this trip was about rebuilding bridges I thought were burned a long time ago. We were both younger and foolish then, and now I like to think he’s older and I’m wiser.” He started laughing. Levi knew that he wasn’t going to say more, though he was curious.

“What have you all got planned for the rest of the night, seeing as how you aren’t goin’ in?”

“Well, I hadn’t asked Jon yet, but I was thinking we could have a quiet night in and have our own little celebration of his good fortune. Of course, it’s all up to him. It’s his night.”

“I like the sound of that,” he leaned in and whispered, “but this time you’re wearing the blindfold.”

Levi smiled and whispered, “Whatever you want, babe. I’m all yours.”