-Red- by Senor Random part 4

'Wait.' said the voice of my accuser.
I lifted my head to see the bartender looking at me with those deep brown eyes. They were welling up with tears.
'I'm sorry,' she said. 'What was your name?'
'Sean.' I said bitterly.
Great, I thought, just what I needed. Some goons remember my name and then come to my house and fit me with a pair of cement galoshes. Just... great.
'Sean,' she said. 'Phil, Eddie, remember this guys name and face, memorize it.'
Oh SHIT!, I thought again.
'No, you don't have to. Really. I WANT TO LIVE!' I began to tear up and wriggle like a worm. The two thugs both turned me so they could get a better look at me. I closed my eyes.
I suddenly dropped to the floor. A hand that felt like velvet touched my arm and pulled me up.
'It's okay, Sean.' A voice like silk, urged, 'Now, come on.'
My vision semi-blurred, and my jacket, with one sleeve in the arm and the other half hanging behind me, I was lead back to the bar. I was placed on a stool and the voice moved in front of me.
'Sorry about that. I was just trying to be funny. My name's Rhoda, but the guys here call me 'Red.' She said with sincerity, 'Look, I'm really sorry about the whole 'Dean-o' thing... I just got out of this, thing with this... He was a fan of the "Rat Pack", and... well, um. Look, can I get you something? On the house?'
'Well,' I sniffed 'sure. Another one of those things you made me earlier. What did you call it?'
'I didn't. It's called a 'Transylvania Special', the owner insists that I make 'em. Not a big fan though. How about a Rum Dinger, like your buddy has?'
'Oh, him? Yeah, sure. Lucky bastard.' I meant to say that last remark under my breath, but it worked it's way to the top.
'What do you mean?' She seemed interested, and tossed my a drink.
'Well, ever since I've known James, James, that's his name.' I sipped my drink.
'I gathered that, go on.'
'Well, things always come easy for him, money, jobs, women...' I trailed off again and took a large swig from my glass.
'Oh.' She understood. 'Well, if you ask me,it can't be all THAT great.'
'Sure, that's what you say, but try hanging out with the guy. It's like having a bee hive on your head and expecting nobody to say anything. You know?' I realized my stupid analogy.
'Yeah, I had a friend like that. She always got whatever she wanted, but then, she ended up marrying some guy who couldn't give it all to her. Weird, huh?'
I laughed. Her response was similar. For that moment, our souls connected.
'Yeah. Guess so. Look thanks Rhoda, or, sorry, 'Red.' Thanks a lot.' I shook her hand. She pulled me in for a hug and put her mouth next to my ear.
'Come and see me before you leave. You won't regret it.' She bit the lobe of my ear and then pushed me away.
Semi-shocked, pseudo-aroused, I strutted back to James and his group of ladies.
'Dude. You'll never guess what happened.'
'What? Excuse us.'He pulled me aside an gave the ladies the 'One minute' hand.
'Man, the bartender TOTALLY wants me!'
'Alright! Wait.' He turned towards the bar and got a look at her,'Whoa! YOU... and 'RED?'
'Yep,' She totally felt sorry for me and now, she wants to meet me before I leave. I RULE!'
'Congrats dude. 'Red' is, like, wow. That's all I can say. I am in shock. Way to go little buddy.' He slapped me on the back, almost knocking me over.
The time was approximately quarter to one in the morning. I was feeling high as a kite, and I couldn't wait to see 'Red' again. I went back to the bar, she gave me the 'look.' I could hardly believe it. ME. Getting the 'look.' I never got the look, it was the best feeling in the world.
Not a word was exchanged, she tossed me a Rum Dinger and winked. 'Red' wandered up to me, and passed me a napkin with a note on it. It read:
"The club closes in ten, see me when the place starts to die. - Red".
It was written in thick, dark crimson letters. Lipstick, I assumed and wandered off to see James. The harem had become only two girls, a busty brunette, and what appeared to be the cover model for the lingere catalogues that James looked at. My smile was as wide as a Volkswagen bus as I proudly showed James the note, like some kid who just brought home a frog for his mom to see.
'Niiiccce.' He nodded. 'Look, um...' He was drawing a blank, 'Cleo and Jen here are headed back to my place. Call me and tell me what happened tomorrow. A'ight dude?' He and I high fived eachother, and James wandered out with a girl on each side. I normally would have envied him, but I had a date with 'Red', the foxiest bartender on the East side.