Page 103 of Seasons of Love
Apparently, Thursday is the new Friday.
Thank god the summer break came soon after their “new” tradition because teaching a classroom of energetic seven-year-olds after a late night is definitely not on my list of favorite things to do.
Each Thursday seems to bring out a different set of parents and friends, so my need for predictability and stability goes well out of the water every week.
When I arrive at The Academy, Fletcher and Harrison are in a booth at the far end of the bar, sitting as close together as two humans possibly can without risking being arrested for indecent behavior.
They’re drinking their usual, so I head up to the bar and order a glass of wine for me and a new round of drinks for them before joining them in the booth.
It turns out Levi isn’t working behind the bar this evening. His daughter, Ava, is having a sleepover with Fletcher’s and Harrison’s kids at Harrison’s ex’s place, so he and Arlo squeeze into our booth shortly after I arrive.
“First round of shots is on me,” Levi says and then waves at his best friend and fellow server, Penny, as she walks past with a tray of empty glasses. “Hey, Pen, can you bring us a round of Spiky Roses?”
“Sure can, gorgeous.”
“Not wanting to state the obvious here,” Harrison says, pointing to all the drinks in front of us, “but that’s not our first round.”
“What’s a Spiky Rose?” I dare ask.
“It smells nice but stings like a motherfucker on the way down,” all but Levi say in unison.
Levi waves them off. “It’s a little something I’ve been working on to update the drinks menu…it may need a few tweaks.”
Arlo gives him a side look. “That thing should be illegal.”
“I suppose I could make it smoother, but some people like it a little rough sometimes.”
Fletcher snorts as Arlo tries to hide his reddening cheeks behind his hands.
“Here you go, boys.” Penny sets down a tray with five small shot glasses containing a pinkish drink.
“I’m not sure about this,” I say, already feeling tomorrow’s regret.
“Come on, Ellis, it’s summer break. It’s like spring break, but without boobs or dick. You know I was an equal opportunity kind of guy.” Fletcher says, raising his glass and then downing his shot before sounding like he’s about to cough up a lung.
“Good save, baby,” Harrison says before taking his shot, and Fletcher laughs.
“Yup, no boobs for me now,” he grins. “Just your big, fat—” Harrison shuts him up with a kiss, which we’re all thankful for.
Levi looks at me expectantly.
I groan and close my eyes as I take the shot. I’m not sure what hits me first, the sting as the drink goes past my throat or the overwhelming smell of roses. “How much…alcohol”—I cough—“is in this?”
My question remains unanswered as Fletcher calls Penny and asks for another round.
At some point, I start questioning my life choices or my choice of friends before remembering I didn’t choose them. They picked me, so for their sins, I get them a couple of rounds.
Of course, with my not-quite-drunk-yet state of poor judgment, I forget the rounds include me. At least the last time I drank wine was a while ago, so I’m not mixing drinks…I think. There are so many glasses on the table, I’m not sure anymore.
“How do you do it?” Harrison asks, staring at me.
I shrug. “It’s easy. You hold it like this, and then you raise the glass up to your mouth and drink the poison inside. You’ve been doing well so far. Four out of five because you spilled a little on your shirt earlier.” I give him a pat on the head.
“No, you dumbass,” he says before covering his mouth with his hands in the same way his daughter does in class when she says something she’s not supposed to. “The kids.”
I point at his chest. “I don’t have no…any kids. You have two.”
“Nah, dude, you have like…”—Arlo stares at the ceiling—“fifty, sixty kids in your class?”
