Kelly Harper wanted to find a special guy, but it was the creepy ones who she tended to date. She was a sucker for a sad story, and she lent out money too. She saw a loser sitting at the bar stool nursing the same drink for three hours and she told herself she would resist the urge to pay for his drink. He seemed nice. But her sister told her they all start out nice and then they end up being rotten so you have to end it. What did Leola know anyway? She divorced her second husband for the second time and was dancing with a guy wearing a cowboy hat in eighty-five-degree weather.
It was a hot night for September. The bar would be closing soon. She decided the stranger at the bar might be an accountant, or some other decent guy so she decided instead of buying him a drink she'd strike up a conversation.
Kelly pulled her hair back for a minute then she adjusted her dress. She licked her lips. It wasn't like she was getting any younger so why not speak to him? It wasn't her modus operandi. She hated going out. The soup kitchen where she worked drained all her energy and only when her sister needed her company did she go out.
The stranger was hunched over. She glanced back at the dance floor and Leola and Mr. Cowboy were kissing. She guessed she'd take a taxi home. Then she glanced back at the man. He looked sideways as she approached the bar.
“What'll you have?”
“Sloe Gin Fizz.”
“Seriously? You're like thirty something.”
“Just get me a drink!”
“Okay.”
The bartender grabbed a bottle off the top shelf. The stranger smiled and Kelly thought it was the perfect time to say something. He was good looking in a Kirk Douglas sort of way. He was medium build but she thought he had more muscles than normal. Maybe he was an athlete.
The bartender approached. “Here you go. Seven fifty-six.”
“Keep the change.”
“Thanks.”
Kelly sipped the drink as she decided what to say. Then she moved past three women who were ordering drinks and sat down in the empty stool next to the stranger.
“Kind of hot weather,” Kelly said.
“Yes it is.”
“I think it will be a disappointment when the heat finally breaks.”
“Probably.”
“I'm Kelly.”
“Hello. I'm Liam. Liam Abraham.”
“Nice to meet you. It's almost closing and I must confess that I'm a people watcher. I noticed that you seemed lost in thought most of the night.”
He smiled.
“Oh. Forgive me if I've intruded on your privacy.”
“No, It's quite all right.” He rubbed his fingers over the rim of his glass. “I'm a bit preoccupied by my profession at the moment.”
“Are you an Accountant?”
“No. I'm an... Insurance Agent.”
Kelly brightened at the news. He had a job.
“Listen, I don't mean to be forward, but I like you. Is it too weird to think it so soon after meeting someone?” Kelly said.
“Not at all. I was thinking that I like you too. You have a straight forward quality about you...”
Kelly looked towards the door and glanced to her sister who was about to leave. Leola motioned to her. “Excuse me please.”
She went over to Leola and the anger flared. The dance music drummed on as her feet stuck to the beer soaked floor.
“Hey. Jake is taking me back to his place. Will you be okay?” Leola said.
“You met him yesterday. Don't you think you should wait until the judge signs the paper before you start with another man?”
“I divorced Jim twice. He doesn't care. I mean his girlfriend would be thrilled that I'm not calling him up and asking him to come home.”
“You're not really at the best place right now. Are you sure about this cowboy?”
“He is just so sweet. Are you okay? I see you're talking to Red.”
“His name is Liam.”
“Great. Does he work a real job?”
“Yes, Insurance.”
“Good enough. So, we're square?”
Kelly glanced at the door where her sister's date was waiting. “Yes.”
Leola kissed her.
Kelly watched them leave. Then she took out her phone and called a taxi. The sweat was collecting on her forehead and so she wiped it away.
She turned to see Liam Abraham standing next to her.
“Listen, Kelly. It was good to meet you. I'm giving you my business card.” Liam took out of his wallet a card and handed it to her. “If you'd like, we could set up an appointment and talk over your insurance needs.”
Kelly glanced down and scanned the card. “Sure. What type of insurance do you sell?”
“Life. Nice to meet you.”
She watched him exit right behind her sister and the cowboy. She was sure she'd be alone for the rest of her life.