Ok, for future reference, if you're going to go out and have a 6-hour softball practice with a college team, don't be surprised to find yourself in some kind of pain the next few days. That's my lesson for the day. And I believe I've figured out exactly what I want to do with this, so now I gotta figure out how to get there… this is just one small step in that direction, so it's not going to be amazingly long… sorry, but it will happen! You could always go read my newest fic 'Rest In Pieces,' while you wait… just a suggestion. *grin*
FYI- this takes a step back to when the woman disappeared as Vaughn answered his cell phone earlier, in ch. 4
I discreetly walk away from the guy at the bar. I've decided to move away for two reasons: first of all, he decided to answer his cell phone on the second ring. And judging by the look on his face and the words he- his name was Michael, I reminded myself- was saying, it had to be a pretty serious call. Besides, I've had my fair share of drinks, and I really need to use the little girls' room. I can't believe how crowded this place is.
And I also can't believe how much I talked to Michael, how much I told him. Of course, I get the feeling he didn't really hear half of it. His mind seems to be focused on something else. I asked him a few questions while I was talking, and he didn't answer any of them. Not one. At first, I thought he was pretty rude. It didn't take me too long to figure out that he was just preoccupied with his own thoughts, whatever those may have been. I don't mind though. It's just nice to be able to talk about what a mess my life has become these last few years. I mean, it's never easy to lose a friend, but when you don't get any closure, not even a funeral… it can be downright impossible. I never realized how much I depended on my friends. Sure, I still have my work, and my other friends. It's not like I'm suddenly all alone in a world that doesn't give a shit. I know I have other people who still care about me. But that's cold comfort. I guess that saying really is true.
You never know what you have until you lose it.
My self-pitying musings stop as I finally reach my destination. The restroom here isn't the nicest I've ever seen, but this isn't exactly a high-class bar. It doesn't really matter though.
Sometimes I think I should be a little more observant. As I once again try to make my way through the crowd to the bar, I catch tiny snippets of conversations, all of which sound either very odd or very interesting. I guess no normal people frequent this place. I don't think I'm normal anymore.
And Michael Vaughn is definitely not.
That point is hammered home as I retake my seat next to him. He is promising someone on the other end that he will be able to ditch work at 2:30 tomorrow. Then he hangs up, and resumes his staring into nothingness. A frown mars his face momentarily before he wipes it away. I can't decipher half of the emotions that cross his face in the next few minutes, so I give up trying and just finish off my drink before ordering another. A loud sigh from next to me breaks my attention away from the glass, and I glance up. He seems unaware that he even made a noise. And his own drink- his second for that night- remains untouched. I may have just met him an hour ago, but one thing is very obvious.
Michael Vaughn is an intricate man with a lot to tell. But I'm not sure if he'll ever open up about any of it.
I decided that our other little alcoholic needed some time, so here this is. I'm not so sure I like how it came out. Was it too confuzing? At any rate, I wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has reviewed this story: Macayla Jo Adams, Emily, jenni, Rosie Avocado, Freelove, lanabana, melia, PetrelGirl, UConnFan, hadassaknamu, RPGirl17, Vaughnscutie, Dreamer, elfjinx, lex, and all the anonymous reviewers.
Extra special thankies to PenguinFlavoredFilm, hardshoe, Songbird, SecretAgentGirl, Sk8erChick, coolbeans, and Sorcha for reviewing multiple times.
As always, review and I'll love you forever and ever!