CHAPTER 4

Tristan had no destination in mind when she left Kevin’s house. It was still early - only six PM and Tristan was surprised at how calm she felt. She wasn’t going to run anymore but she’d give Kevin plenty of time to get out before she returned. He had places he could go. Tristan refused to deal with the Kevin-Lily issue right now.

She found herself on 295 heading south. She still had no plan, she was just following the tail lights in front of her. As she approached the next exit, she saw a sign announcing the fact that there was a ‘Hooter’s’ just off the ramp. She had never been to a ‘Hooter’s’ before although she had heard jokes about the place. Tristan wasn’t really hungry but maybe a glass of wine or something stronger would be nice. She cut to the right across traffic and took the ramp off the highway, soon finding herself in the parking lot. She entered ‘Hooter’s’ alone and felt a little odd when she realized that she was the only unattached female in the place. Tristan was definitely out of her element.

She went directly to the bar and sat down, avoiding any eye contact with the single men seated nearby. She could feel herself being checked out and sized up. This type of attention was not enjoyable to her as it was to some women. Her little nuggets of fear still showed themselves from time to time and if she stood near some man who wore a fruity cologne, her throat would close up and her body would tense. She was somewhat relieved when the bartender came over to take her order.

“I think I’ll try tequila.” Tristan smiled.

The young bartender returned her smile. “You’ve never tried it before?”

“No...I’m not much of a drinker, really.”

“Well, you might like it. You want it the traditional way? Straight shot?”

“Sure. Why not?”

The bartender brought over a salt shaker, a small plate of lime slices and a shot glass filled with golden liquid.

“Do you know what to do?” he asked. Tristan appreciated the fact that he was not being patronizing with her. He seemed to like his role as a teacher of proper drinking technique.

“No....”

He explained the methodology of taking tequila shots and watched her to make sure she followed through properly. Tristan had licked the side of her hand between her thumb and index finger and then sprinkled salt on her wet skin so it would stick. She took a breath and quickly licked off the salt, swallowed the shot and bit into a piece of lime. She felt a certain amount of pride over the fact that she didn’t choke, although it was a struggle not to. The liquor felt hot going down but it provided a certain amount of comfort.

“You alright?’ the bartender grinned.

“Yes. I think I liked that. Should I try another one?” she asked.

“I...don’t think so...” he said shaking his head. “Maybe you should practice this at home. Do you live nearby?”

“I don’t know. Where the hell am I?”

The young bartender became concerned. “You’ve only had one drink! You’re at ‘Hooter’s’!”

Tristan laughed. “I know that! I mean what town am I in?”

“Oh..” he smiled, relieved. “You’re in Ruskin. Near Tampa.”

“You’re kidding!” she exclaimed. “Do you have a phone?”

“Sure...” He reached behind the bar and handed her a cordless. “Local call?” he asked.

Tristan nodded as she dialed the number. After several rings, her call was picked up.

“Hello.” a voice answered.

“Holly? Guess who this is!” Tristan giggled into the phone.

Holly began gesturing wildly at Nick who was just passing by the kitchen. He had already given Holly the details of that day’s meeting.

“I don’t have to guess, Tris! How does it feel to be back in Orlando?”

Nick had stopped and grown wide eyed when he heard that it was Tristan on the phone. She was the last person he would expect to be calling tonight. He was dying to know how it had gone when Kevin had given her the news. Then he wondered if Kevin had even told her yet.

“Orlando doesn’t feel that great, Hol. Lucky for me I’m in Ruskin!”

“What? You’re in Ruskin? Where?” Holly asked seriously. Nick had taken a step closer.

“I’m at ‘Hooter’s’!” Tristan laughed. Then she whispered into the phone. “I don’t know why they call it that. I haven’t seen anything extraordinary myself.”

Holly looked at Nick with a baffled expression. This was odd.

“Have you been drinking, Tris?” Holly asked.

“Just one drink, Mom!” Tristan laughed again.

Holly put her hand over the mouthpiece and whispered to Nick. “Something’s funny...”

“Give me that phone!” Nick grabbed it from Holly’s hand.

“Hey, baby!” Nick said lightheartedly. “How about coming over for supper? You’re real close.”

“I thought you’d never ask!” Tristan cried gleefully. “Turn left by the park?”

“Yeah, hon. I’ll call the gate and tell them you’re coming. Now let me speak to the bartender, okay?”

“Why?”

Nick hesitated. “Uh...I want to ask him something about a drink.”

“Oh...Okay. Bye.” Tristan handed the phone to the bartender. “He wants to talk to you.”

The bartender raised his eyebrows and put the phone up to his ear. “Hello?”

“How many drinks has she had?” Nick asked with some impatience.

“Only one.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve been standing right here.” he said and then hung up the phone and turned back to Tristan. “Can I get you anything else?” he asked.

Tristan stared at the array of bottles behind the bar.

“Can I buy a couple of bottles of tequila from you?”

“Sure.” he answered. “If you brown bag them. Anything else?”

“Yes.” Tristan smiled. “I’d also like a couple of limes, three dozen shot glasses and two extra small petite ‘Hooter’s’ tee shirts.”

The bartender was curious and wondered what her story was. She was so pretty and had been so nice.

“Okay.” he said ringing up the bill. “That’s $89.63. Want to use a credit card?”

Tristan started to say no but then she nodded her head and opened her wallet. She had several credit cards, but at the bottom of the pile was one card that she had never used. It was an American Express card that Kevin had given her last spring. He had wanted her to use it to buy things she needed for the house and for herself, but she never had. Not until tonight.

“Do you take American Express?”

“Sure do.” He took the card and brought the ticket back for her to sign along with the bag containing the evidence of her ‘Hooter’s’ shopping spree.

Tristan signed the ticket, picked up her bag and purse and headed out the door.

“Wait! Miss?”, the bartender called to her. “The bill was $89.63. You wrote in $589.63.”

The $500.00 is your tip!” Tristan grinned. “Thanks for your instruction.!”

Email Grace

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