It happened so easily we wound up making love on the cot Gus keeps in the kitchen for when he needs a rest.
Sitting here quietly 3:30 A.M. just me and Nick the bartender. He's having a drink while talking to his girl on the phone. I'm in a reflective mood, going over the nights events in my mind wondering how I'm going to find the will to keep this pretense up. I used to love the atmosphere the camaraderie we shared, It's all getting trite and I know it isn't just a respite I need.
I almost fired Gus the chef toinght. We argued the same things over and over, until I wanted to scream "Get the hell out of here, and stay out!" I almost did and Gud knew it. He said in a soft caring tone" This is really getting to you isn't, it Tess? ...I never thought it would go this far either, Liz has come to mean too much to me. Damn shes' a foxy lady and I can't get enough of her Tess!" I knew he'd gone to far with her,I said"Gus, I know I sound like a bitch, but that's your problwm. I can't take it anymore, I think too much of your wife, and I hate this two faced stuff. You know me better than that I can't be a hypocrite! Don't you care for Rita anymore Gus?"
He looked at me with a pained expression"I love my wife, more than ever. I'd hate for her to find out this is more than just a fling with Liz. I don't know what to do, Tess." I knew he meant it, "Well Gus you got yourself into it now you have to get out of it, I don't want to see Liz here anymore. That's final. I can't help it if that seems harsh,but you know it's a collision waiting to happen." Gus left soon afterwards, and I'm still here going over in my mind what was said.
Nick finally gets off the phone and asks" Ready to leave boss" I answer "No, I have a question to ask Nickie"... "Fire away, what did I do now?" I smile "Nothing, I want to know what the hell I'm doing here."..."Uh oh, let me make you a nice Old Fashion to sip on while I answer." I thought it was a good idea, and listened to his philosophising while he made it.
Nick and I go back 10 years, he was a bartender in a place where I was a waitress. We almost had an affair but it never got off the ground, but we are the closest of friends. He is a great listener and can assess things very well. He brings in a lot of customers who love to get his opinion on their problems. He could double for Antonio Banderas. I take a sip of the drink he hands me as he says" I notice you are getting bogged down with Gus and his problems. I didn't want to say anything before, but I think that's part of it Tess."
He's probably right, "Yeah, but I'm also weary of the life Nickie. I just had a four day break recently, I shouldn't be feeling like this." I don't know why, but I was close to tears, and my voice was shaky. Nick came,and put his arm around me kissed me on the cheek and said" You know babe, I think your still hurting over Chad. When you guys broke up that's when the down mood started." He was right I leaned into his arm wanting to feel his closeness, he put his other arm around me then we kissed. It happened so easily we wound up making love on the cot Gus keeps in the kitchen for when he needs a rest.
It was very good and we both were surprised that it was the first time in all the years we knew each other that it happened...I said" This doesn't change anything and I don't want anyone knowing about it." Nickie smiled a boyish grin, "Of course not boss then he kissed my navel and it felt great...tomorrow is another day...
Hmmmmm .... What a nice write ... sighh ... Beautiful story, Eileen. Now I know - when I'm down, I should find me some bartender ... lolol ... Great one, Eileen!
Hmmmmm, apparently there's a cure for what ails the boss:-) Why can't Gus just keep his pants zipped until he gets home and use those tortured desires to keep his marriage hot? He seems to enjoy his weakness a bit too much but it does make for interesting characterization.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton
10/1/2005
Ain't nuttin' like spending your stored-up energy on something positive, even if it is wrong in the long run. Selfish? Yup.
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