Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
****
“You’re back,” Candice said, looking at the man dressed like every other businessman.
There was only a slight difference between Antwone and the other men she served. She caught sight of the ring of ink around his wrist when he reached forward. The suit didn’t quite cover the ink and it did make her curious as to what it meant. He also didn’t have his head in his hands, looking like the world was crashing down around him. If anything, he looked sad.
“And so are you,” he said.
This did make her smile. “Ah, but you will see me here every single day unless I’m on vacation. I work here, babe.” She winked at him. “What can I get you?”
“Whiskey, neat.”
She reached back for the best whiskey the bar had, and it still wasn’t as good as some of the brands out there. She poured him a generous glass and told him the price. He paid right away without grumbling about inflation or the extortion of the prices. There were not many customers on a Tuesday night, so she didn’t need to serve anyone else.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Antwone stared at her without responding.
Silence met her question.
She held her hands up in the air and gave a chuckle. “You don’t have to answer, you just look … sad.”
“I’m not sad.”
“Okay, you’re not sad, then what are you?”
“Why do you want to know?” he asked.
Candice had seen many angry men in her time serving at the bar. Not only had she seen them here, but through life, on the streets, and even past boyfriends.
She shrugged and held her hands up. “I was just being friendly. Sometimes, all we need is someone to talk to, and besides, I’m no one, so you can tell me your worries and not be concerned about me spreading hateful gossip or telling someone what you said.” She wasn’t about to fight the man about opening up.
Leaving him alone, she made her way around the bar, serving drinks to a few of the customers, clearing away glasses, and then heading back around the bar to find Antwone still with a drink.
“I’m not sad,” he said. “I’ve got nothing to be sad about.”
She was tempted to leave him alone, but had a feeling this guy wasn’t used to talking about his feelings.
“You’re not sad.”
“No.”
“Then what are you?” she asked.
He didn’t say anything but looked past her shoulder. She couldn’t help but wonder if he spent a lot of time thinking over his words or actions. Everything with Antwone seemed very controlled.
“Have you ever had to do something you didn’t want to do?” he asked.
This made her laugh. “Yeah, of course. Most people have to do something in life they don’t want to do.”
“Like what?”
She snorted. “Work? Yeah, I know some people love to work and all that. Some people get the dream job they live for, yadda yadda yadda. But, there are those of us who have to work to survive.” She shrugged. “There are people out there in worse situations, better situations, but some jobs are not great.” She shrugged.
“What if it’s with someone … you don’t want?” he asked.
“You’re being vague right now. I’m not sure what you mean.” She placed both her hands on the counter and looked at him, figuring he needed her full attention.
Antwone looked down at his glass and took several minutes. She had a feeling he wasn’t going to say anything and just give her half a story, but then he returned his attention to her.
“Have you ever been forced to be in a relationship you don’t want?”
Candice chuckled. “Okay, this seems a little, I don’t know, out of the blue.”
“Well, have you?”
“Nah, I mean, of course there have been people out there who stumble into a relationship and then realize too late that it’s not what they want. Are you in that position?” she asked.
“No. I’m not with anyone,” Antwone said.
“Are you asking for a friend or something?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She had a feeling there was more to be said but Antwone sipped his drink.
“You know, you don’t have to drink if you don’t want to.” She reached behind her, grabbed a glass, and moved to the fridge, to take some of the bottled chilled water. Opening it up, she poured him a glass.
“If you just want to stay in the bar for the company or whatever reason, you don’t have to drink.” She winked at him and moved away to serve one of the other men.
She couldn’t help but look back to Antwone. He was so different from the men she was used to.
With everyone served, glasses collected, she moved toward Antwone to see the glass of water was finished. The whiskey was still in the glass. She poured him another glass of water.
“So, this friend of yours, when you say forced, do you mean like arranged or something?” she asked.