Killing Time

 I usually try to disappear out of the house for a while when my daughter has a therapy session. No daughter, no dog. What should I do? A Virgin Bloody Mary sounded good so I decided to visit the Corner Bar and Grill. 

A darkened room at 2:30 in the afternoon can be jarring when you step inside out of the bright Florida sunshine.

Guns and Roses song “Patience” blares from the speakers of a neon jukebox in the back corner. 

The space in the room was dominated by a large rectangular bar with counter tops that looked marble and obviously fake-brick-vinyl contact paper covering the base.

 A white haired man sitting on a barstool close to the door greeted me as I walked in. “Welcome to the Corner Bar and Grill.” I nodded and walked past him.

 I made my way to the back by the pool table that was currently not in use. I was the only patron not sitting AT the bar but I hate those high bar stools.

The bartender came over and took my order for a Virgin Bloody Mary. I was expecting attitude since I wasn’t ordering alcohol but she was courteous and efficient.

While I waited for my drink, I studied the far wall. It was decorated with several posters of women dressed fierce like warriors.

The bartender herself could have posed for one of the posters. She was slightly tall and thin. A black tank top with Harley Davidson in sequins on the front, was tucked into tight, white jeans with a black belt. Her white hair was in a casual updo and her makeup was edgy but not gaudy. She wore gray suede sandals that looked supportive but comfortable.

I asked her if the owner was a woman and she smiled and said yes.

I’m sipping my drink which is delicious and Linda Ronstadt starts singing “You’re No Good”. I waste five minutes in the past remembering someone who was no good and then another few minutes angry that I gave him energy today.

Pulling my mind back to the present I notice several televisions on the walls. All of them are muted and on different channels. The one closest to me is airing an episode of Jerry Springer. I have only watched that show briefly while channel surfing.

 Mr. Springer has always taken the low road but his show appears to have deteriorated even more. He stands to the side while two security guards pretend to keep two females from hitting each other. They are both in short, sleeveless, sequined dresses. One would almost think they had coordinated their outfits but we are supposed to believe they are enemies. The caption across the bottom says one owes the other money. The audience claps and eggs them on.

Blind Melon’s song “No Rain” comes on and my mood lifts several levels lighter.

When I walked in people on their own were dispersed with several seats between them. Within half an hour the bar has filled up with more of the same people with a few couples interspersed here and there.

 A woman has moved over to sit with the man by the door who greeted me. They are having a conversation punctuated by gestures and hair flips.

Time for me to go. Today was pleasant but this will not become my Cheers.