~ Spring Break #12

I say, “High”, You say, “Low,” You say, “Why?” And I say, “I don’t know.” Oh, no! *

(620 words, 3 minutes read time.)

>~~~~~ 12 ~~~~~<

“Now, wait just a damn minute!” Suzy blurted. “Who’s dead? And who the hell is William, uh, er, what was it? Wintigan? And just exactly who the hell are you, lady?”

Gigi looked to Mel, honestly surprised that Suzy wasn’t in the loop.

“Oh, they don’t know?”

“Well, of course not! They’re not supposed to know. No one is supposed to, just you and me, and your lawyers.”

Gigi turned her head. “You’re an amazing woman, Mel.” Gigi laughed to herself, “I guess I sort of spilled the beans. Don’t tell the lawyers.”

Mel replied, “I guess you have. The cat’s out of the bag now.” She switched her attention to Hapless. “Refill Doc?”

The Doctor again waved Mel’s offer away. “I still have to get across town, shower, and get some sleep. I’ve got patients in the morning, and you know how the cops are this time of night. Besides, my wife will be upset that I’m so late for dinner. Can I borrow your phone?”

“Of course. Sure. It’s under the register. No, go ahead and use the one in the office. It should be open.”

Gigi shook her head ‘no’ to Mel’s gesture of another glass of wine and lit another cigarette in its stead. It was late, and everyone was noticeably tired and becoming ever quieter. All had worked difficult, long days, and now, having mulled over Bill’s tragic situation, each had heightened their own concern into individual early morning melancholy.

Suzi was about to pour herself another glass of wine but then thought better of it. Rather, she rose to seek the restroom.

Moments after the door closed behind her, the doctor returned from the office. He seemed intent on reaching the exit. “Thanks for the drink, Mel. I’ll call as soon as I know more about Bill, but I think he’s going to be okay.”

“Oh, sure. Of course. Thank you, Doc, that would mean a lot. Call or come by anytime.”

It was clear from the hastiness of his words and actions that Mrs. Hapless had been less than pleased with her husband’s tardiness. He was also feeling somewhat morose in wondering whether discussing a patient openly to the patrons of a bar might not be more of a violation of his Hippocratic Oath than he first thought.

He decided not to think any more about that. He had an unhappy wife to grovel home to.

Suzi left the women’s room, stopped in the alcove between the two restrooms to pull 10 quarters from her change purse, dropped them into the cigarette machine, pulled the knob for a pack of Marlboro Ultra Lights, then fished them from the vending tray.

Before she stepped back towards the bar, Suzi dropped a handful of matches from the box atop the machine into her purse and walked back to where Mel and Gigi had been half watching her.

“Okay, Mel. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She looked over at Gigi, politely adding, “It was nice to meet you, ma’am. I hope to see you here again.”

Gigi replied, “The pleasure was all mine. I’ll be seeing you around.”

“Do you want to take this with you?” asked Mel, holding up the mostly leftover bottle of Pinot Noir. “We don’t have much call for the good stuff, only by the bottle.”

“Oh, I know, and thanks. I’ll see that it goes to good use… Me!”

Suzi took the bottle by the neck, whispering, “Thanks,” mocked a kiss towards her boss, winked at Gigi, turned, and was gone.

Finally, Mel plied his old friend, “So, she’s really dead?”   

~~~ Still, some more to come. Maybe two more, but not so long…

<~~~~~12~~~~~>

*Lennon, McCartney (Hello, Goodbye)

-dalton

6-1-26