Scene 2- The Bar
"Is anyone sitting here?" He asked.
"No, be my guest," she said and gestured to the empty stool. She had already decided she wasn't gonna look at him... How many times had she been through this tonight?
"So, How we doin?" all of a sudden it sounded so corny to him. Too late now he thought.
"I'm doing fine, thank you. I'm 25; a Sagittarius; no I'm not seeing anyone; Yes, I've been here before; and yes, I am new in town... Does that cover it all?"
she rushed out, more than a little exasperated.
"I'll take that to mean that you've been hearing the same 5 questions all night, and you're tired of it, he said with a small smile of amusement.
"Yeah," she said," Sorry I snapped you but it just gets old so fast. All I wanted to do was have a few drinks after a long shift and I'm bombarded by assholes. I thought it would be different here."
She still refused to look up from her drink.
"Okay, well my name is Howard and I was wondering if I could buy you another drink"
She rolled her eyes as he continued. "And all I want in return is a dance."
"I'm Aadriana," she said "and it's refreshing to meet someone who let's you know what they want up front"
She looked up. "Wait just a damn minute aren't you...."
"Yes, I am," he said somewhat disappointed, "and Brian and Kevin are at home with their wives. AJ is over there scheming on some waitress, and Nick is about 6 feet away from us getting his 'Mack' on," he rushed out just as exasperated as she was.
"I wasn't gonna ask, but thanks for the extra info," she was laughing again... (What the hell?)
"So how about that drink?" she finished.
"Do you want another of what you already have or something else?" He asked as he waved for the bartender.
"Tell him to give me a 'Tongue in my Panties" she answered waiting for his reaction.
"A what?" his face took on the cutest bewildered expression. She was so busy enjoying it she almost forgot he was talking to her.
" It's my favorite drink, maybe you should get one too. You'll probably love it..." she smiled him like it was a dare, how could he refuse?
"Okay," he said and placed the order.
"Do you like Sex on the Beach," she asked him, "If you do you're gonna love this.
"I love sex on the beach, the sand can be something of a hassle, but it's always great!" Howie realized she was laughing right along with him. Humor had its merits.
The drinks came and of course he loved it.
"Don't let the smooth taste fool you," she cautioned, "It's really smooth but it creeps up on you."
She smoked a cigarette while they talked and drank.
"Why don't we go ahead and hit the dance floor?" she suggested to him.
It was then that Howie recognized the song that was playing. He grinned from ear to ear and said, "I haven't heard this song outside my car in years."
He looked over at the jukebox and saw AJ standing there pretending to be nonchalant. He should've known who else but AJ would have put on "Every Little Step" by Bobby Brown?
He allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor. They danced this song and the next 5.
Dancing, laughing and dancing some more. Aadriana hadn't had anywhere near this much fun since she'd moved to Orlando.
Both were near exhaustion when Howie decided they should go back to the bar for another drink. As they did he was amazed. This woman was so wonderful.
"So you're a nurse, right?" He asked.
"Yup, I work in labor and delivery at a hospital not too far from hear."
At that moment AJ came over to join them.
"Hi, gorgeous," he said to her.
Aadriana laughed, " Um, Howard I think your friend is talking to you...and your name is…?
She knew who he was of course but he was being an ass so she decided to play the game.
"Oh, c'mon now honey, you know who I am. I go by many names, you can call me what you want...as long as you call me."
Howie cut him off right there, "Right about now I'd like to call you 'gone'; as in get lost, as in leave, as in disappear!" He was trying not to lose his temper but AJ made it so hard sometimes.
"Well, I'm not one to stay anywhere I"m not wanted, besides here comes my new friend Miss T-n-A USA. Y'all play nice now!" After making that final remark he walked over the waitress and pulled her onto his lap. Aadriana hadn't been listening to a word that AJ had said, why would she.
She couldn't help herself this man was so hot and his hair looked so soft, before she realized what she could stop it her hand reached up and smoother back a lock that had fallen out of place. She didn't even realize she had done it until he smiled and raised an eyebrow.
Sorry, I couldn't resist she said, all of a sudden she was out of breath. He just nodded and ordered himself another drink. "So what nasty named drink are you wanting this time?" He asked. Mesmerized by his soulful brown eyes, she had to struggle to tear her gaze away. All she could do was croak, "Jack and coke. Heavy on the Jack, easy on the coke." God she couldn't take her eyes off him. Every glance took her mind to some thought of sex. From his brown mesh shirt to his cashmere vest; who knew khaki was an aphrodisiac?
Howie finally broke the silence; he realized that they were just sitting there staring at each other. "You can really hold your liquor, and you like the strong stuff too."
She laughed bitterly and replied, "I come from a long line of alcoholics, and so far 'Jack Daniel's' is the only man that knows how to treat me." Howie wasn't stupid, something in her tone told him not to press that one.
He decided to change the subject, "I'm not trying to be nosy, I'm just making small talk so, do you mind telling me a little about you. I mean like why you wanted to be a nurse and why you chose such a ... um interesting specialty, and what's with the treble clef necklace, you know stuff like that?"
She had to smile he was perceptive, "Well, my first major was psychology, sometimes I think I should've stuck with that. When I transferred to a school in my hometown, I started helping out with the band at my old high school. It was then that my love for music was reborn. I don't think it ever went anywhere it was just lying dormant inside me waiting for the right time. I'd taught all through high school and now that I think about it in junior high too. It was a rush like you wouldn't believe. I'd imagine it's the way you feel when you're on stage. I get that from helping someone else learn to make music, discover their own hidden talent.
She talked on and he listened; the more he did the more he wanted to hear. Finally, an intelligent, self-sufficient woman who shared his passion for music. Aadriana told him all about her years in college; the frustrations she encountered; and how not unlike AJ she had battled depression. She told him about her self-destructive behaviors and the loss of her only love. She told him all these things but there was one thing she was holding back, he didn't know it but she was.
He asked taking it all in, "You found out you were adopted, and were betrayed by a person who was supposed to love you, and you dealt with all that by cutting yourself?" He was stunned he'd never encountered anyone like her, she was so strong and complex and yet somehow in need of a protector.
"I don't do that anymore," she said mistaking his confusion for disgust, "Hey, do you wanna get outta here?" Things were getting too intense; she needed a change of scenery.
"Sure said, hoping she meant what he thought she meant, you got anywhere specific in mind?" He didn't wanna rush things but he couldn't help it.
"Uh no, I was just getting tired of being here, the loud music is giving me a headache. This is your town, there has to be somewhere a little quieter maybe take a walk or something I don't know." God, she hoped she didn't sound desperate. But she was really hoping he'd find somewhere they could be completely alone.
"I know just the place," he was smiling now, "If you're up to it. I'll just got get us a bottle of something a little smoother for the trip. I'll be right back and we'll be outta here. You're not gonna disappear on me are you?"
" I wouldn't dream of it," she replied.
Howie went off to locate AJ; things were definitely starting to look up.
When he found his friend he said, "Dude, make sure you give that waitress the night of her life she deserves it."
"I'll take that to mean that your nurse is gonna fuck your brains out," AJ said smiling smugly.
"You are so crude! We're just gonna go for a walk on my private beach." Howie said trying to look innocent.
AJ wasn't fooled, "Call it what you want bro, the end result is the same you guys are gonna fuck until you faint." He laughed loudly, "Damn I hope she knows what she's getting herself into maybe I should go tell her."
"Sometimes you really make me wanna strangle you," Howie said feigning anger.
"You love me, and you know it. The way I see it, one thing is for damn sure, you won't be in that shitty mood tomorrow." AJ knew he wasn't even close to being mad. "Remember, if she screams you're doing it right. Wanna borrow my extra whip and handcuffs?" he added alluding to Howie's comment made earlier that evening.
"Hopeless," Howie muttered as he walked of with AJ's laughter ringing in his ears, "He is completely and utterly hopeless."