To Bang
A yellow checkered cab pulls up in front of the church. I hike up my enormous crinoline skirt and trip into the backseat. Troy runs outside as I slam the car door. "Maeve! Wait!"
I knock frantically on the plastic partition.
"Go. Now. Please."
The cab driver speeds off, leaving Troy and everything else behind. I look at my reflection in the window. My makeup is a mess. I sniffle and wipe my nose on my arm. "Where to?"
"The closest place that serves alcohol."
"You got it."
I stare vacantly at the horizon but I don't see any of it. I just keep replaying that horrible moment in my head, analyzing and agonizing until I'm in a blind rage. The driver glances at me in the rearview mirror. "He must have done something pretty bad for you to run out like that."
"He's hooking up with my twin brother."
"Yeesh. Well, better you find out now than ten years down the line."
"No offense, but I'm not really in the mood for conversation." "None taken."
We arrive at a plain brick building in the middle of nowhere. I don't know how much time has passed. I just feel empty. The driver turns back to look at me. "Fraternal Order of the Spotted Owl. Best you're gonna get in a dry county. It's a members-only club but I have a feeling they'll make an exception for you."
"Thank you. Really." I take a deep breath and try to center myself. "How much do I owe you? Do I even have my wallet?"
"No charge. Runaway bride special." He comes around the side to help me out. "I hope you have a better tomorrow."
"Can't be worse than today, right?"
I rip off my veil and shakily traverse the gravel parking. The heavy wood doors swing out in front of me. The bar is fairly quiet. There's less than fifteen people in the whole place.
I march up to a sketchy looking table in the middle of the room and gingerly climb on top. I clap my hands as loud as I can. The men turn toward me.
"Attention, bar patrons! Who is going to fuck me? Any takers?"
The energy in the room is tense. The bartender smiles and slaps down a coaster.
"You need a drink. It's on the lodge."
moment to react. I ease myself off the table and self-consciously pull
"What's your name?"
"Maeve."
meet you, Maeve.
"Whiskey. Something expensive."
"Breakfast of champions."
other guests are too occupied with football and their newspapers to pay attention to
"Chandler."
"Like Friends?"
"Like Raymond."
you hate it when
"Oh yeah."
would too." I throw back the rest
pours two
save this for special
"Which one is this?"
next chapter is
bit of
sounds about
tear a cocktail napkin into tiny
know how I'm going to face
not
on my fiancé blowing my twin brother right before the
"Holy shit."
"Yeah."
think you need a
cowboy." I drink. "Where's the bathroom in
wipes his hands
"Sure thing, kid."
passes through the bar flap and helps me off the stool. I discreetly look him up and down. He's lean and handsome
The floorboards
His bicep fills my
"Thank you."
against the wall and kiss him hard. He wraps his arms around me. Hoists me up. I hook my ankles behind his back.
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