Alexis's girlfriend Taylor was out of town for the weekend, and Alexis was bored home alone on the Friday night. She flipped through Netflix for a while, but couldn't find anything she felt like watching. Frustrated she tossed the remote on the couch and finished her rum and coke. Since Taylor wasn't there, Alexis decided to do something she'd never done before: go to a gay bar. Even though the two of them were both out of the closet, Taylor was always shy about things like holding hands or kissing in public, or being seen at any queer events or spaces. Unfortunately Taylor's shyness extended to the bedroom, leading to the largest source of conflict in their relationship.
Alexis changed into a lightweight flannel blouse and some jeans, figuring she should look the part and called an Uber. It was only a little after 8 when she got to the bar, so the line was pretty short. When Alexis got in she got a rum and coke from the bar and took a look at the dance floor. It wasn't too crowded yet, mostly young gay men dancing with each other, and the few girls looked like straight girls having a night out.
A bit disappointed, Alexis took her drink onto the patio and sat down. She sipped her drink, trying to ignore the clouds of vape smoke coming from some of the boys on the patio. Alexis was starting to regret her choice to come as she looked around. She was hoping to do a little dancing, maybe meet a few other queer girls, but the only obviously gay girls she saw were a couple making out in the corner, oblivious to the world.
Alexis finished her drink and went back inside. She was trying to decide if she wanted another drink and see if things picked up, or to just head home. It was then that someone came up to her.
"Miss L!" The girl said. She was in her mid twenties, about the same age as Alexis. She looked vaguely familiar but Alexis couldn't place her.
"Uh, hi," Alexis said. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
"Oh, sorry! My nephew Kyle is in your class, and I met you one time when I came to a soccer game you coached."
Alexis flushed in embarrassment. Even though she was out, it felt wrong meeting someone who knew she was an elementary school teacher at a gay bar. "Yes of course. But when I'm not teaching my name is Alexis."
"I'm so sorry, of course! I'm Tabby," she said as she stuck out her hand for Alexis to shake. Tabby was almost six feet tall, with an athletic build under a t-shirt and baggy jeans. "Here with some friends?" Tabby asked.
"No, just checking the place out," Alexis said. "I was actually thinking of leaving."
Tabby looked around and laughed, "Ya, it's mostly guys here. But sometimes there are girls." She winked and said, "Why don't I buy you a drink."
Before Alexis could say anything, Tabby grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her over to the bar. "Guinness for me," Tabby told the bartender. "And for you?" She asked Alexis.
"Just a rum and coke."
The bartender handed Tabby her can of beer and quickly mixed up Alexis's drink while Tabby pulled some bills out of her wallet and paid. Tabby again took Alexis by the elbow and steered her back out to the patio and grabbed them a table.
As they sat down and started sipping their drinks, Tabby said, "My sister thinks you're such a great teacher. I never would have guessed you're queer!" She paused, realizing what she had just said. "Not that being queer makes you a bad teacher! I just never thought about any teacher's life outside of school."
"What makes you think I'm gay?" Alexis asked, blushing.
Tabby looked around the patio at the other patrons, then back at Alexis. She took in the flannel blouse with an arched eyebrow.
"Ok, shut up," Alexis said, laughing a little.
"I didn't say anything!" Tabby said. "It's just weird meeting a teacher outside of school! When I was a kid I thought my teachers lived at school."
"Sometimes it feels like I do," Alexis said with a sigh. "What about you? Would people be shocked to see you here?"
Tabby laughed again, a deep laugh that Alexis was finding rather attractive. "I work as a personal trainer and I'm on the state woman's rugby team. The straight girls I know are the odd ones out."
"Lucky you. I know some of the parents at school would give me a hard time so I have to keep quiet about it."
Tabby could tell it was a bit of a sore topic for Alexis, and changed the subject. They made small talk for a while, and had a few more drinks. Alexis was having fun talking to Tabby, and starting to feel a little bit tipsy.
"So what brought you out here tonight?" Tabby asked.
Feeling a little bit more confident after their chatting and the drinks, Alexis opened up. "I've always wanted to check out a gay bar but my girlfriend is too shy."
"That's too bad," Tabby said. "Have you been dating long? Is she doing something else tonight?"
"She's out of town for the weekend. We've been dating for a couple of years. Moved in together a little while ago."
"Lucky you!" Tabby said. "I'm all on my own."
"Ya, I guess," Alexis sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, its just... She's my first girlfriend. But she's so shy and not very affectionate. She never wants to cuddle or hold hands or go out or anything."
"That's too bad. Those things are fun!"
Alexis shrugged. "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Nah," Tabby shrugged. "Like I said, all on my own right now. Thought I might check this place out and see if there were any cute girls here tonight."
"I'm sorry for distracting you!" Alexis said, suddenly embarrassed for taking up Tabby's time.
Tabby smiled and winked. "What do you mean? I'm talking to a cute girl right now."
That made Alexis blush, and she tried to hide it by finishing her drink. Tabby took the empty glass from Alexi's hand, brushing her fingers as she did. "Would you like another?"
