~This one is for you Ursa Major...Thank you~
Shay set the alarm on her car as she pressed the tiny remote that was in her right hand. Waving to the attendant with her left, she made her way to the doors. She was so glad it was Friday and was looking forward to a night of dancing, drinks and conversation with her friends at the night spot she had frequented for a good while. The "Candlelight Lounge" was a favorite spot for many locals. As Shay stepped inside the lounge, she shook off a chill that had hit her from the cold night air.
The front area of the lounge was about half full of people talking and enjoying themselves. The music was making its way from the rear of the lounge where the dance floor was. There was an area in the center of the building that was the gaming area. Pool tables, shuffle board tables, electronic darts and air hockey. They were placed about so that there was ample room for players and spectators as well.
Hellos and hugs were exchanged by a few in the front area as Shay moved to the back. She knew the regular group would be there at their usual tables. She was right. The group consisted of a a few couples and then there were the "ME's" as Shay so jokingly put it. She was always telling the coupled ones when they would be caught up in little spats, "Be a ME! Less fuss! Or if you do fuss, it's with yourself and you always win!" Shay was not anti-relationship. She was just enjoying her own space. Not having to share her space unless she wanted to. The toilet seat was always down. The bread always had a twist tie on it, not spun as tight as a bungie cord. The tea pitcher was never placed in the refrigerator with 1.3 ounces of tea in it, and she could do Chinese take out as many times a week as she wanted without hearing any complaints.
Shay made her way through the crowd to Mark and Lisa. They were celebrating 10 years of marriage. Lisa was always trying to get Shay matched up with someone. Stepping up behind them, she placed a hand on each ones shoulder. Turning her face to Lisa, she kissed her cheek and told her Happy Anniversary. Lisa placed her hand on Shay's face and kissed her cheek replying, "Thank you Baby. I want to be able to say that to you soon." As Mark's arm slid around Shay's waist, he told her, " I just love a lady in boots!" Shay laughed at him as she replied to Lisa, " For me to be where you are Shuggar, you would have to divorce Mark, you have the best man around!" With that being said, Shay turned her attention to Mark. " I know you like your women in boots Mark. These are the boots I had on for ya when...." Mark quickly placed a finger over Shay's lips pretending to quiet her from telling a secret. They embraced and exchanged quick kisses as Lisa threw her hands up in a hopeless gesture.
As Shay continued with her hellos, a waitress handed her a Margarita and said it was sent over from Bear. Shay's eyes began to scan the game area looking for him. He was one of the regulars that she had met a few months back. He was so polite, had a sense of humor that kept her at borderline hysteria, good dancer, nice looking, chocolate eyes as she called them and she loved hearing him slip his Boston accent into conversations. The two of them never spent time together alone. They were always surrounded by the mutual friends they had at The "Candlelight Lounge." Shay had seen him with others and never really thought about the two of them as more than just friends.
Ken looked up as Shay spotted him. She smiled at him, tipped her drink in his direction mouthing quietly, "Thank you."
Ken gave her a quick wink and went back to his pool game.
Shay sat down at the table and joined in the conversation with the others. As she laughed and shared tidbits of her week, she finished her Margarita. Crossing her legs, she slid her hand up her boot starting at her ankle to her knee as she looked around for a waitress. The same waitress stepped up to her with a fresh Margarita, smiling as she swapped out the glasses.
As Shay glanced up at the waitress, she was told, " same one Hun." Then she walked away.
Shay looked in the direction of the pool table and he was not there. She assumed he must have left so she settled back into the conversation around her.
From the stage, the lead singer declared an "all skate" as they left for a break. From the jukebox the music started a beat that vibrated the walls, and as usual the women started filing onto the dance floor as Madonna belted out. "Hey Mr. DJ."
Shay stood and began to pull the sleeves from her lightweight tan leather jacket from her arms. Draping it over the back of her chair, off she went with the other dancers.
Ken watched as she removed the short leather jacket. It matched the tan boots that came to her knees. Her belted jeans tucked in them with a continuos flow to her tan belt. The cream colored blouse she had on was tailored to show the shape of her breast being held inside a lacy bra. Her chest exposed just enough to make the eyes curious as to what was lower. He knew he was not the only one curious. He was wondering if the other men felt what he felt when they watched her. Trying to break his train of thought, Ken looked away and took a drink of his beer. But his eyes went right back to her on the dance floor. He watched as she counted out steps with the others. Her bump and grind was right on the money with the music. The dance floor was crowded but he never lost sight of her.
As the song ended, Shay made her way back to the table to finish her drink. To her surprise there was another Margarita sitting beside the one she had left there. She turned to look for the waitress but instead she looked up at Ken. There he was with his sweet smile as Shay picked up her drink and asked in a playful way, " Do you know I have a limit on these frozen concoctions?"
His smile got bigger as he replied, " Yes, and this one should be the one that sinks ya!" Ken quickly picked up the fresh Margarita and offered it to her with a wink.
Shay laughed, then she told him in a very stern manner, " Kenny. I like to be able to say the next morning that Jose' Cuervo is still a friend of mine. If I am not careful, he can mess my head up for days." Shay finished the drink and sat the empty glass on a table and had the fresh one in her hand. " And besides that." She continued," I like to be able to keep up with me!"
Ken let her know real quick, "I will keep up with you tonight! You can deal with Jose' tomorrow." Ken then took her arm and started towards the dance floor. The band had started another set. " Don't step on my toes Shay Lyn!" he joked as he took her drink from her and stepped on the floor, pulling her close.
This behavior was typical for them. And for others in their little group as well. Just a lot of fun and bantering back and forth.
Ken knew she liked to dance. He also knew as long as he stayed out there he could hold her. The band started into a song that had caught Kenny's interest a few days ago. He adjusted his hold on Shay as he began to sing the words to the Jimmy Wayne tune , "You Are."...
"I wanna hold you forever.... that's all I'll ever need. You are my love, you are my life. My heart and soul. The truest friend I've ever known. You are my world, all of my dreams, my fantasy, my reality...I love everything you are..."
