Inside of Forever

I drove into the parking lot, went around to the furthest spot from the front of the strip mall with the need to be as far from it as possible. I swung in between two spots next to a light post, stopped the car and threw it into park. Then, I immediately leaned forward, crossed my arms on the steering wheel and looked up into the evening sky above the one-story row of stores. I took a deep breath in, and it looked so ominous that when I exhaled the pink and blue hues mixed as if it was brewed from a witch’s cauldron. The feeling that something was brewing just for me was so intense, I almost pulled right back out of there and went home.

Near the middle of the mall was Muriel’s Burger Bar. The name boasted big blue lettering on a white back lite board with smaller black lettering that spelled “Kosher”. Once inside I quickly found the culprit of my invite, Dan, my best friend. It was his girlfriend’s birthday. He rented the restaurant and was trying to impress her family and friends as she was Jewish. Neither he nor I was Jewish and when ever he came up with these schemes of sucking up, I was always invited. Dan must have loved her very much to go to such lengths. I did not see the point; just be yourself I always thought. If she loved you for you, that should be enough for them.

Being the good friend though, I supported his nonsense and showed up. He was deep in conversation, so I just tapped him on the shoulder to let him know I arrived and nodded. He tapped my shoulder back and with excitement said, “John, mingle, I’ll be right with you.”

Without responding I walked towards the back of the place, shook a few hands, nodded, and faked a smile here and there. I honestly had not remembered most of these people from prior events, but somehow, they remembered me. Exasperated, I finally perched myself on a stool at a corner table away from most of the bigger groups of people.

A fairly attractive waitress walked up. “Can I get you some drinks?”

She was pleasant enough with a bright smile, dark eyes, and short red hair. I made every effort to not look at her cleavage as it was sticking out through the white low-cut blouse. I cleared my throat and spat out, “Gin and tonic, please.”

The waitress wrote it down and stood there, for a moment I thought she didn’t hear me. I was about to say it again when a woman’s voice came from beside me and proclaimed, “I‘ll have what he’s having.”

I turned to my surprise to see a woman right beside me with her arms crossed on the table. I was certain she was not there when I sat. In the background I heard the waitress respond, “I will be right back with your drinks.”

Confused, I asked the woman, “I’m sorry, did I take your spot?”

Confusion must have been evident on my face, the woman sarcastically replied, “No, you were here first.” She pulled herself up on the other stool and continued, “You look like you don’t want to be here. I know I don’t want to be here, so I thought you could buy me a drink.”

With a sneered smile she tilted her head sideways and attempted to have been cute and persuasive. She was cute too, however much younger than I. Her long brown hair was straight, brown eyes to match and what seemed to be a fit figure.

This woman was more than likely to grab her drink and walk away, leaving me to pay. I have seen that game many times and I was not in the mood to play it. With no fight in my voice I answered, “Fine, I have no problem buying you a drink. And yes, I don’t want to be here… just want to be alone.”

She was quick to respond and without sarcasm, “Well that sucks, I just thought you didn’t want to be here. Are you depressed?”

“No, I am not depressed! I just didn’t think I would be talking to anyone,” I complained.

“You know this is a party… at a bar,” she raised her hands, giggled, and looked around the room as if to make me aware of where I was.

I laughed and admitted, “You’re right, I didn’t realize what I said until I said it.”

She giggled even more, and it seemed so genuine and refreshing. Our eyes locked, a sudden rush of warmth filled my face and I smiled. Panic come over me for a moment, and I wanted to run, but I did not run.

I was thankful the waitress interrupted the moment and placed the drinks on the table. I gave my head a shake and could not explain what happened, I needed that interruption to gather my thoughts. We went silent until after the waitress left.

Once the waitress left, I realized we did not even know each others name, and before I was able to introduce myself properly, she asked, “You married?”

I replied, “Nope.”

“Girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Boyfriend?’

“Completely single.”

“I see... well that’s good. Can I ask you a question? I need some help,” she asked with a bit seriousness in her tone.

With curiosity and an abundance of caution I said, “Sure, I guess so.”

When she asked, I could not believe what she wanted.