Morning Brew

“No, I’m not a drunk” Melanie chirped as she got up from the bar down the block from her apartment. It was lunch time in Ridgewood Queens. She lived near Palmetto Street. A nice enough neighborhood. Randy, the bartender and owner, stood with his back against the fine liquor shelf, wiping down the glasses with a moistened bar towel.

“Listen honey, no judgement, I wanted to know what happened that you’re here every day again - did your kid get in trouble?”

“Who, Lisa? Nah, Randy, mind your business, I just want another beer. It’s like water for adults man, it’s not like I’m slamming down Jagger bombs or anything.”

“Mel, I love you. I’m just making conversation. Sure. Want a Stella or a Checker Cab Blonde?”

“I’ll go for the Blonde, we all do don’t we?” Melanie smirked, squinting her eyes and widening her close lipped smile, making her taught and smooth face have the appearance of plastic.

“Mel you are too much! Coming right up” Randy, turned around shaking his head, getting a (type of beer glass) off the counter in front of him and holding on to the draft spout to pour the perfect ale.”

“Randy?” Melanie, sitting up higher on the leatherette and oak stool, “How into beer are you? You ever think of getting some more craft beer or maybe smaller breweries?”

“Well, I’m more into serving alcohol than studying it, but sure, I’ll look into it. Have a favorite?”

“God no, I just drink and write about it. Sometimes. I might have a few names next week though.”

“In that case, go to the bodega dear. No offense.”

“Randy, oh come on, I was just kidding.”

Randy, curled up his lip, shaking his head back and forth, mumbling under his breath “why I oughta...” sliding the Blonde Ale on a coaster toward Melanie.

Melanie rocking back and forth in her seat, making a come to me motion with both her hands, happily chanting “gimme, gimme!” Bringing the beer to her lips take a small sip, slurping up the head of the drink.

Randy, less than impressed “Yeah, enjoy that dear.” returning to wiping down the counter and changing the channel on the TV on the wall opposite the bar.

“Let’s watch The Price is Right. I love that show.”

“I don’t even care, that show is so fucking dumb, you guess the price of stuff right? Umm Amazon?!”

“Sure Melanie. I don’t think you can use your phone on stage or in the audience.”

“Oh. Anyway, who’s hosting it now, is it still Drew Carey?”

“Yeah. It used to be Bob Barker. That guy is damn near 100 years old! I miss him. He had a few bad falls and retired back in 2007 or something. I read wiki for that one!”

“Oh well look at you. I swear to you, my kid couldn’t have gotten through school without Wikipedia. Jesus. I’m a writer but I’m more of a sales person. I had to pay for tutors for all the stuff I don’t know.”

“Oh yeah? How’s Lisa doing in school?”

“Pretty good. I mean her mom was no slouch so what do you expect?” Melanie grinned again, taking another small sip of beer.

Randy grinned with dead eyes. His lips tight, he grimaced, “well aren’t you something miss?”

“Yeah, well. You and my ex think alike.” She smiled sheepishly. “Hey, how’s Sally? How are your kids, what are their names again?”

“Sara and Ed are fine. Sally is great. She’s in back calling in the vendors for our supplies.”

“How long have you guys been in business for again?”

“Twelve years this June. It’s been a hell of a ride for us. We both used to work in Sales. She worked in Advertising and I was a kitchen equipment supply salesman. I traveled all the time, met her at this bar when I was visiting a business associate at one of the diners that are around here. The one by the Train Station.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I took one look at her laughing with her friends and thought how beautiful her smile was. She lit up the room. We spoke a few months and started to get more serious. About a year later we married, and when she got pregnant, I bought the bar - with her blessing of course. I thought it would be easier to live above the bar so the whole building is ours.”

“Wow, lucky break. How much?”

“For everything? Somewhere around a million. I had a good nest egg and so did she. We were lucky at how easy it was. Everyone knew the both of us so favors, free labor, advice, even our first bit of inventory came from other business owners that were moving out of the neighborhood.”

“Really? Why did they move?”

“It was dead. Everyone thought I was crazy. I figured if me and my wife could put roots down here, other young professionals who want a different type of NY lifestyle would love living in Ridgewood. I saw it when I first used to do business around here - the potential. Small neighborhood feel, close to Manhattan, reasonable cost of living. Not many public schools but that could change with all the talk of Charter schools taking root around NYC.”

“Jeez, YOU’RE really something. Sally is one lucky lady.”

Just as she finished her sentence, Sally came through the double doors that led to the kitchen and back office to the left of the bar, almost perpendicular to the TV blaring Price is Right.

“Oh shit, Melanie! Sweetie it’s almost three! How are you doing honey? Where’s Lisa?” Sally balked.

Her auburn hair nearing fire engine red sprouted from her head. Even more shocking was the wiry curled style she wore that sat on her shoulders. It reminded Melanie of an eighties glam rock groupie sort of thing. Sally’s blue eyes and bright red lips popped against the white shirt and gold cross she wore over blue jeans and black work boots.

“Oh, no, she’s going to call when she’s almost home. I can still play with Randy. Is that alright mommy?” Melanie squeezed her nose and squinted her brown eyes again, to almost oblivion. Sally rolled her eyes.

“Listen you, You can sip your beer but Randy is busy!” She walked up to Melanie, wagging her finger, mimicking her expression. She hugged her tightly to her chest. She smelled like Obsession. eBay maybe?

Melanie felt lucky. She relaxed into the hug.

“What am I going to do with you? If I didn’t care about my business I’d tell you that you’re a borderline lush.”

Melanie pulled away from the hug and stared at Sally deeply into her eyes, her expression solemn and clear. “So don’t. It’s adult water time. My morning brew lasted until midafternoon today. No biggie.”

Sally, stiffened. “Listen, we love you, I love you. Just don’t stay here past time again? You’re kid needs a good dinner. Spend time with her on the couch. Listen, at 8, we can come over for dinner. That’s when Yvette comes on. It’s Karaoke night.”

Melanie laughed. “Goddammit, when you’re a mom you miss all the good shit!”

Sally leaned in, putting her forehead to Melanie’s. “Honey, being the mom is the best shit there is!”