Alexis stood behind her bar, her hand still tightly gripping the other two’s hands. Silvia and Sarah’s drinks largely untouched in the silence. Looking from one woman to the other, Alexis sighed and then started with “’Henery the Eighth, I am. Henery the Eighth I am, I am…..”
Both of the other two women screamed “STOP” at the same time and then burst out laughing. Silvia putting her hand to her mouth in an attempt to keep the gaffas from pouring and Sarah wrapped her arms around her belly and set her forehead on the bar, laughing and crying into the woodwork.
Alexis leaned to rest on the island behind the bar, a fake look of disgust on her face. The other two continued with their laughter for a good ten minutes before they started to ease off. Both had tears raining down from their eyes and could hardly breathe. Alexis reached behind her on the bar and retrieved two towel, giving one to each of the others.
“The bar is closing, ladies. This wig needs a brush and I want out of these boobs and shoes. Damn things are killing me.” Alexis told them while running her hands through hair and grabbing the mounds on her chest. “So finish up your drinks and go somewhere to talk. I got dry wall to put up tomorrow.”
With that, Alexis reached under the bar and retrieved a sign that read “Bar Closed. Fix it Yourself” and set it in the middle of the bar. She then reached down and slid off her heels which only made her six foot, two flat footed. With a size 11 (men’s) shoe in each hand, she walked out the door in the back of the bar.
After watching Alexis leave, Silvia and Sarah turned to look at each other and, again, stared back and forth. Then suddenly, both started to say “I’m Sorr….”, when Sarah put her hand over Silvia’s mouth and clamped it closed.
“No, me first.” She almost whispered.
Silvia nodded and let Sarah take her right hand between both of hers. Gently massaging the hand, Sarah steeled herself for what she needed to say. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for Matt’s funeral. I was in Singapore when I got word and couldn’t back in time.” She then cast her eyes down to Silvia’s hand grasped within hers. Sarah’s hair fell and covered her face, but Silvia could still hear her words.
“And then people were telling me you were looking for me. So I ran. I found a very dark and deep hole and pulled myself in. I didn’t want to admit what I did to the two of you. I knew I was wrong but I was too ashamed to face up to it. I was wrong and now it is too late to tell Matt!”
Sarah forcibly let go of Silvia’s hand and covered her own face. Silvia could tell the tears were almost screaming out of Sarah’s eyes. She left her own stool to put her hands under Sarah’s elbows and helped her stand. Wrapping her arms around the other woman, Silvia held her and slightly swayed, as one would comfort a small child.