Chapter 3
Michael comes over to the table. "A bud for Jon, Stella for Chloe, and the finest Chardonnay for his punkness."
"Did he always give you so much shit?" Chloe asks me.
"Ever since the spider incident," I say as Michael puts down the drinks carefully. The table wobbles a bit.
"Spider incident?"
Michael interjects "Yeah, he told me I had a spider on me while I was tripping balls."
Chloe and Jon both laugh. Michael rolls his eyes, "Sure sure, laugh at me. We're not even open yet! Shots on the house." Michael sets out shots for each of us and takes one himself.
Jon offers up, "Here's to the old bastard. May he get what he deserves."
I say, "Back together again."
Michael, "Here here."
Chloe intones "Amen."
We drain the shots. Chloe immediately goes for a sip of her beer. Michael looks at his empty glass, "I should have brought a chaser. Anyways, I need to get the place ready for tonight. We have the best non-Irish Irish band that town can provide. They're even better than the actual Irish Irish band. It'll be packed here later." Michael grins as he walks away, "Holler when you want a refill."
Jon opens up, "Mom said that you're married and have two kids."
"Yes," I say. "Sarah is my wife - we have two kids. Jason is three years old and Mary is nine months. You're an uncle Jon."
"No shit," he says. "About time you told me..." No hostility, almost wonderment.
"I tried. The postcards kept coming back," I said. I didn't want to fight.
Jon says, "Huh. Were you sending them to 101 Forestwood?" Jon is smiling as he asks the question.
"Yes," I say.
Jon starts to laugh. Chloe and I look at him befuddled. "What's so funny?"
"That's the fake address I gave mom and dad so that they wouldn't find me," Jon says quietly. "I never thought that they would give it to you, much less talk to you."
Chloe says, "I actually stopped by and got it from them. It was the second most uncomfortable moment of my life."
"Well. Shit." We all take a drink. Jon looks up again, "Can I meet your family?"
"Yes, I'd be so happy if you did," I say. Jon wipes away a tear. "I've been married to Jill just about six months now. She's really great. I'm trying to keep her away from all of... this." Jon gestures to our hometown.
"That's great Jon. I'm really happy for you... and proud," I say.
Chloe turns around looking for Michael, shrugs, and shouts, "Hey Mike - another round. The boys are getting emotional. Soon they'll be drinking their own stupid man tears!" Mike gives a thumbs up and heads over to the bar.
We laugh. In this regard, Chloe hasn't changed much. Michael comes over with another round of drinks and another round of shots. He grins, "This is going to get sloppy boys and girls." Michael sets the shots and drinks down.
Jon raises the toast, "To our families. May we not repeat our parents' mistakes." We clink glasses and swallow the shot.
I'm starting to feel the haze of the alcohol. Jon looks at me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Why did you leave me here? Why did you leave me with them?"
I take a sip of my wine. "I never meant to." I stare intently at Jon. He has tears in his eyes. Chloe puts a hand on his shoulder.