Saturdays at the bar are always a nice way to escape. David and I are both retired, but we both have a Monday through Friday thing going. It may sound like leisure activity, but we see it as work and we come here to escape. Today, we’re dealing with weather and Linda’s Saturday prompt:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “can.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Enjoy!
If we were having a beer, it would be hard to avoid the overbearing topic of the week.
“Good afternoon, Dan. Hoping to find a cool spot and a cold beer?”
“I am, David.”
“Well, you boys have come to the right place, and you might be my only customers today.”
“Why’s that Cheryl?”
“The heat. The rain. Who knows? All I know is the patio is closed do to potential thunderstorms, and look around—you guys are all I’ve got.”
“It’s my turn to buy, Cheryl. Give Dan a large cold Modelo and I’ll have a John Howell’s Special. Why isn’t there any music?”
“We’re switching providers—don’t ask.”
“I could sing, David.”
“Dan, it’s bad enough that we’re having a heatwave. The second one of the summer, I might add, and there’s another one coming next week.
“That’s a great idea, but I don’t think I could pull it off.”
“What?”
“We’re Having a Heatwave. It’s a perfect song, but no pun intended, I don’t think I can can-can. I mean, it was considered a little risqué when released.”
“I remember that song. It was a number one hit for Martha & the Vandellas in nineteen sixty-three. But I don’t remember it being risqué.”
“Wrong heatwave. Go back thirty years.”
“You boys are arguing over music that isn’t even playing?”
“It’s what we do, Cheryl. Where’ve you been?”
“I had to go downstairs for more John Howell’s Bourbon. Then I had to find the manager to unlock the liquor storage.”
“You keep the booze locked up?”
“Only the good stuff. I was tempted to pour you a glass of Woodford. I doubt you’d know the difference.”
“I’d know. So, Dan, why do I have to go back thirty years?”
“Ethel Waters sang We’re Having a Heatwave in a musical review called As Thousands Cheer. I prefer Ethel Merman’s version from Alexander’s Ragtime Band. That was in nineteen thirty-eight.”
“How’s that bourbon, David?”
“It’s fine, Cheryl. And it’s definitely John Howell’s.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am. Now stop messing with me.”
“Okay. Like I said, you’re my only customers.”
“Yeah, but you don’t mess with someone’s drink order. Right Dan? Dan, are you listening?”
“Yes, but I was recalling a time when my grandmother did just that.”
“Your grandmother? The one you call Sita?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose there’s a story coming. Cheryl, can you get ready with another round?”
“I have your bottle right here, and I’m two feet from the taps. I think I can make it, David.”
“Okay, Dan. The floor is yours.”
“This happened before I was born.”
“Then how do you remember it?”
“It was the stuff of legend around our house.”
“Where did this happen?”
“Kentucky. My mom and dad, my grandmother and maybe my brother went to a wedding.”
“That had to be a long drive back then. No highways to speak of in the early fifties.”
“Long and hot, not air conditioning, either. Anyway after the wedding, they were all at the reception. My mom was hot and thirsty. She asked the waiter for a glass of ice water.”
“When do we get to the part when Sita messed with the drink? I mean, you can’t mess with water.”
“You’d think. Sita spoke to the waiter in Syrian. She asked him to bring my mother a glass of anisette instead of water.”
“What happened?”
“Mom pounded that down.”
“That had to hurt.”
“Anisette’s not that strong, but it was surprise.”
“Well, I’m still drinking bourbon, but it’s getting low in the glass.”
“Here you go, David, a splash on the house. Dan, you want another beer?”
“Yeah, but Modelo, not Bud Light.”
If you like character driven stories with strong female characters, magical realism, action, suspense, mystery, a bit of family sarcasm, and a slight religious undertone, you will enjoy these books:
Knuckleheads
The Evil You Choose
When Evil Chooses You
Secrets held Against Evil
