Jillian Chantal

This week’s word is speak. I’m still working on the story with no name and we’re still in the bar with the snowstorm coming.

Be sure to check out the other stories here. 

“Are you sure you want to hang out here? I feel guilty having you work the bar when you should be going home and being safe from whatever this storm brings in.”

“News flash. I’m an adult. If I wanted to be home, I’d go. I’m fine. Let’s keep at it until Simon decides to call it a night and quits serving.”

“I’m not sure he will stop until the normal last call time. The bloke probably thinks he has a captive audience and will make his fortune tonight.”

“How dare you speak about me that way. What else did he say about me while I was gone?” Simon was back. He lifted the bar pass through and stepped in next to Lanett.

“He told me all your deep dark secrets. Sorry, I have all the information I need now in order to blackmail you.” Lanett grinned at him.

“Tch. No, my love, he didn’t tell you all my secrets. I wasn’t gone near long enough for that to happen. In fact, I doubt he got much past age seven in that length of time.” Simon scratched something with a pencil on a small pad of paper. “I need to order more disposable beer coasters. I keep forgetting. Maybe I can remember by writing it down.”

For this week, we are using the word mug and I sure wanted to use it in this way, “You and your ugly mug…” but alas, I couldn’t work it in. I went a little more traditional instead. Hope you like it. I am continuing Lanett’s story this week.

Check out the other stories here.

“The good news is maybe our least favorite people will leave. If I know Amanda, she won’t want to be out of her own bed if there’s a blizzard.” Lanett cast her eyes around the bar and noted how many people had ready left, including, it seemed, some of the staff. “I think Simon may need that help already.” She stood.

Ian rose from his barstool as well. “Do you know how to mix drinks?”

“I can make a few but I really excel at uncapping beers.”

“Useful skill to have.” Ian led the way to the bar, lifted the gate and let Lanett pass him into the area.

“Thanks for coming to the rescue, love.” Simon stepped over and handed Lanett a clean apron. “Put this on. No need to ruin your dress.”

“Don’t you think these people will go home?” Ian asked as he tied a half-apron around his waist.

“Some will but the hard core ones won’t. A lot of the regulars live in walking distance and will stay here until  I shut it down then they will stagger home, maybe falling on their arses in a snow bank.”

“Maybe? More like will.” Ian laughed as a patron stepped forward to place an order for a round of beers for the men at his table.

Simon showed Lanett how to pour from the tap without forming a head on the ales. She was happy to learn the new skill. At least the whole night hadn’t been a waste of time. Who was she kidding? Any moment with Ian, even the scene a few moments ago was time worth spending.

When the tray of beers was ready to deliver, Ian started to pick it up but Simon raised his hand. “Let me do that, mate. No sense it wasting it all over the floor.”

Ian looked a little relieved that he wasn’t going to have to attempt to carry the full mugs across the bar but he said, “I could do it if I needed to, little brother.”

“You go on and keep deluding yourself there. A posh bloke like you would trip and fall in a second and then I’d be out the cost of the beer.”

“I’d prove to you that you’re wrong but I’d rather stay here with the lovely Lanett and let you do the leg work.”

“Isn’t that always the way? You always want to hang with the ladies.”

Ian winked at Lanett. “Nothing wrong with that.”

This week’s word for Tuesday Tales is catch. Check out all the other writers and their use of the word here. Some great stories out there for sure.

“Travel advisories are now in effect. The storm has made a turn and up to eighteen inches of snow are expected overnight. It’s recommended that everyone stay where they are for the foreseeable future. The city transit system will be closing at eleven p.m.  If you can get safely home in that time, do so but don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

A mass exodus from the bar occurred as soon as the lady announced the closure of the subways.

Ian looked at Lanett. “You could make it home if you left now. As much as I’d like to see you home, I’ll stay with Simon in case he needs help.”

“I’m staying as well. I’ve been on the subway after a baseball game and that’s nothing like people in a frenzy to get home. No thanks. I’ll take my chances on having to sleep on the floor of a bar over the squish of humanity under the ground.”

“You may regret those words.” Ian glanced down. “That floor is disgusting. I don’t think there’s a cure for whatever you might catch from sleeping down there.”

“Hey, it’s your brother’s place. I can’t help it if he doesn’t clean it.”

“The important parts are pristine. The carpet, not so much.”