This tale is submitted for the
Valentine's Day Story Contest 2023
.
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Reilly's Bar was fairly quiet when Ashley, a college student who had just finished her beer, spoke up from the end of the bar, "How come it's so quiet here? Why isn't anyone celebrating Valentine's Day?"
What little murmuring conversation heard previously fell off as the bar became suddenly quiet as a tomb. Everyone glanced quickly at the barkeeper Connor, waiting for an expected explosion.
Instead, they heard the quiet but stern response, "My dear, in this establishment on
this
day we do not speak of the 'V' word nor do we allow anything that might remind us of the 'V' word. If'n you find that unacceptable, please remove yourself from the premises. Otherwise, we will be forced to remove you ourselves."
"But, it's such a wonderful tradition..."
"Lass, you've been warned once, now twice. Please don't be an eejit and make me remove you by mentioning it once more," he said to her in a low but serious brogue.
"OK, OK, I understand. Phew. Uh, may I still order another drink?"
"Why, yes, you may. What'll it be?"
"I'd like to try a Guinness, please." "Some black stuff, eh? Small or regular size? If'n you've never had it before, I recommend the small for starters."
"Yeah, OK, that'd be great. Thank you."
Once the beer was brought to her, she got up and went over to an empty booth near the end of the bar. There she pulled out her phone and started to review her text messages. She sighed quietly upon realizing Jerry had sent her none all day, indeed for the past several days. He had been her boyfriend until a week prior when he suggested they take a break from each other, see other people and then maybe in the summer touch bases again. She realized he was trying to ease the shock by pretending there'd be a future, but she honestly knew better: He was done with her.
On this night she simply wanted to be with other people and decided to go to Reilly's Bar which was located on the ground floor of her apartment building. Little did she know a tradition called Black Valentine's Day was when Reilly's became a refuge from all the red and pink roses, heart-shaped boxes of candy and cute little cards. Halfway through her Guinness she went to the bar and ordered a bowl of nuts. Once she had finished both, she went up to settle her bill with Connor.
"That'll be fourteen for the two drinks and the nuts."
"Sure, thanks," she said while throwing a twenty on the counter. "Keep it and consider it an apology for my, uh, well, my inappropriate remarks earlier."
"Don't worry, Love, now you know. Thanks for the tip."
"I'm allowed back?" she asked with a smile on her face.
"Of course, Love, anytime. You live nearby?"
"You could say that. I'm on the third floor."
"Lookin' forward to seeing you again."
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In spite of her uncomfortable first visit to Reilly's, Ashley found she really liked the atmosphere and the convenience of the bar two floors below her apartment. Over the next few months, she went in occasionally for a quick drink after classes but before tackling dinner. If Connor wasn't too busy, he would engage her in light and sometimes more serious conversation. She found herself liking him and wondered if he might be available but all conversations designed to tease out his status were met with vague answers, if any answers at all.
By late spring she had finished her fourth year of college and received a degree in small business management. She realized, unfortunately, the degree was nearly useless. Accounting and finance, well those could lead to jobs but business management was pretty much useless. She applied for numerous positions only to hear she needed 'more experience' or a more specific degree, if she heard back from the interviewer at all. To keep the rent paid and food on the table, she returned to her old standby as a barista. Although she enjoyed meeting the customers, she felt it was ultimately a dead-end job so she kept looking for 'real' work where she could use her education in the business world.
After several weeks at the espresso stand and more job rejections, she found herself sitting at Reilly's bar in a rather sour mood. She figured out later it must have shown as Reilly walked over to her and laid a small beer in front of her.
"Here ya go. Looks like you need it."
"Uh, yeah, thanks. Do I look that bad?"
"Not bad, just down in the dumps. What's wrong, anyway?"
"Can't find a job. Spent all this money for a college degree and it's wasted. I'm using my skills to make cute little designs in the foam of espresso drinks over at the Naked Bean."
"Ouch. What's your degree?"
"Small business admin. People want accountants or investment gurus, not someone who runs small businesses."
"Maybe there's something else to do with your life. I know I found something."
"Yeah? What?"
"You, my dear, are looking at someone who has a master's degree in oceanography."
"Oceanography? You're shittin' me," she laughed.
"Nope. Got it at Downstate U, worked in it for a few years before I came in here to have a cold one several years ago. Got to talking with the owner who was looking to retire. He liked me and offered the place to me for an amazingly good price. Could hardly turn it down."
"Wait! So, you're not Irish?"
He looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching before answering, "Swear you won't tell anyone? Well, the answer is 'no', I'm not Irish. Well, I'm of Irish heritage but never even been there."
"Your accent?"
"Fake," he whispered.
"Really?" she softly giggled, "So, you're a total fake!"
"Yup. No don't you go telling anyone, Lass, you hear me," he said as he resumed his brogue.
There was something about the quick conversation which boosted her spirits. Maybe she needed to try something else, something which didn't require her specific degree though she could use it to show she was a capable, educated person. Over the next few weeks her mind wandered as she doled out lattes and cappuccinos. What could she do? Where was there an opportunity? Were there any new businesses or occupations to consider?
