Openly Sam by Gulgowski Peter

Author:Gulgowski, Peter [Gulgowski, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peter Gulgowski Publishing
Published: 2021-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

The Past

May

“Looking sharp,” Pierce says.

I flip off the light switch in my bedroom as we head downstairs before heading to the movie theater. It was Pierce’s turn to pick the movie, but I got to pick what we’re eating for dinner.

Descending the stairs, the first floor is quiet. Mom’s over at Grandma’s helping fix her television that is having issues—according to her. A note on the counter from Mom has a twenty-dollar bill on the top of it, with the words, ‘Movie on me. Love, Mom.’

I scrawl out the words, ‘Thank you’ below her writing before taking the bill and slipping it into my wallet.

Pierce adds a ‘Thank You, Mrs. C’ of his own, beside a smiley face.

“Just have to out-do me, don’t you?”

“It’s my job,” he laughs. “Where are we eating?”

“I figured we’d grab a burger,” I say. “Less formal.”

“But it’s date night,” Pierce says. “I like formal.”

I turn to him. “But I’ve been craving a burger all day. Next time, you pick.”

“Fine. You win,” says Pierce.

Leaning in, I give him a peck on the cheek. “Didn’t put up much of a fight.”

Pierce smiles. “I’m feeling generous tonight.”

I flip off the lights and after locking the garage door behind us, we get into my car, back down the driveway, and head for the local burger joint where they have the greasiest and messiest burgers in town. But as gross as they look, they are to die for and everyone uses their diet cheat-day to go to Clifton’s.

Inside, they take mood-lighting to a whole new level. Dim lighting and chocolate brown leather booths make you feel like you need a flashlight to navigate the narrow passages between tables. The bar is loaded with patrons nursing beers and mixed drinks with the flicker of a football game glistening off the granite counter.

“Pick any open spot,” a waitress says, clearing another table. “I’ll be right over.”

Pierce and I carefully weave through tables, selecting one of the last remaining booths along the wall of windows. Pierce smiles as we slide in, grabbing the adult drink menu right away.

“Unless I missed something, we can’t drink anything off that,” I say, my brows knitting together.

“I know. But it’s good to be prepared when the time comes. Oh—look at this,” he says, flipping the drink menu around, pointing to a golden-orange, fruity cocktail. “That looks good, doesn’t it?”

I quickly skim the brief description. “It does, but you don’t go fancy at Clifton’s. You go for unhealthy and artery-clogging.”

Before Pierce can reply, the waitress comes with two menus. She sets them down and pulls out her order form. She gives Pierce the stink eye as he slips the drink menu back into the holder.

“You guys know what you want?” she asks, looking between us.

“I’ll do a lemonade,” I say.

“Water for me. I’m boring,” Pierce replies.

“Sounds good. Boring is easy for me,” she says, finishing jotting down our order. “Know what you want for food or need a few minutes?”

Pierce looks to me. “One second,” he says, quickly opening.

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