Page 107 of Cuts like a Knife
“Lunch rush on the other side ended early, so I got here sooner than expected,” he explains. “Quick beer before we head back?” He holds up a sweating golden bottle bearing a blue label that reads Kalik and gestures to the barman, who quickly produces matching bottles for the four of us.”
“Just for you two,” says the barman with a smile as he hands the bottles over.
Just as I’m wondering what he means, the music changes abruptly and JP and Danny erupt into laughter.
“What’s happening?” I ask Maylee.
“Canadian music,” she explains with a smile. It’s sort of an inside joke. People always do this when Danny and JP are around.”
The rasping man’s flood into the air, but I don’t recognize the tune. Nonetheless, JP and Danny are soon engaged in a absolutely off-the wall air guitar session. They’re miming microphones, banging away on invisible drums.
“What’s this song?” I finally ask, raising my voice to he heard, because a whole bunch of other bar patrons are singing along too. Apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t know the song.
“Cuts Like a Knife?” Maylee says, like I ought to know it. “Bryan Adams?”
I shake my head. I’ve heard of Bryan Adams, I think, but I can’t name a single one of his songs.
“It’s an older one,” says Drew. “From the 80s314.”
“Were you even alive in the 80s, Andrew? I can’t recall.”
I don’t bother looking at him as I speak, just take a swig from the cold bottle of beer. “Can I have my phone, please?”
Drew produces it from the backpack and hands it over.
Watching Danny and JP, carefree and happy, is giving me a stomach ache.
I send a text to Claire, more for something to do — something to occupy my hands — than anything else.
Lex: Do you know any Bryan Adams songs?
As usual, she replies immediately. Does she not have anything else to do?
Claire: Summer of ’69
Claire: (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Claire: Cuts Like A Knife315
Claire: Why?
Lex: Just wondering. Do you know anything about Maylee Wise?
Claire: Just what I told you before.
Lex: I’m with her right now.
Claire: Really? Is she nice?
Lex: Yes.
Claire: So?
Lex: So what?
Claire: So what else? They put me on bed rest. Apparently my heart rate was a little elevated so I’m not supposed to do anything, but I feel fine. Lex, I am so so so bored. Entertain me!
Lex: Sorry. Can’t help you there.
