Chapter 521: Rerun's Bar and Grill
Monday, February 19th, Afternoon
The door opened, and a man in his thirties walked into the bar. The Newcomer looked around the barroom. It was what the Newcomer expected it to be. Rerun's Bar and Grill had all the trappings of a sports bar, which is to be expected, but had a Latin Flavor.
The Newcomer was a tall man, a bit muscular, and his dark hair started to show spec of gray. He removed his sunglasses showing his eyes were dark in color; he nodded. Finally, the Newcomer took a seat at the bar.
The bartender, a short, stocky man of Latin descent, walked over to him. They locked eyes and nodded.
"What can I get you?" Ramon "Rerun" Vasquez asked.
"A Modelo," the Newcomer said.
"Coming up," Rerun said and walked over to the taps.
"Thank you," the Newcomer said.
"You're welcome," Rerun said, poured the man his beer, and brought it to him.
"How much?" the Newcomer asked.
"We'll worry about it later," Rerun said.
"Alright," the Newcomer said.
"I never expected to see you back here," Rerun said.
"It is my home," the Newcomer said.
"That's true, but you have a good life in Canada," Rerun said, "From what I understand."
"I sold my business," the Newcomer said.
"Why?" Rerun asked.
"It was time, and the offer was too good to turn down," the Newcomer said.
"Yeah," Rerun said and nodded, "Makes sense."
"It's been tough since Sasha died," the Newcomer said.
Rerun nodded, "I'm sorry, who's Sasha?" he asked.
"My wife," the Newcomer said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Rerun said.
"I didn't expect to come back here," the Newcomer said.
Rerun nodded, "I get it. Are you going to see your nephew?" he asked.
"Of course," the Newcomer said, "I need to meet his wife."
"That's right, you weren't here for the wedding," Rerun said.
"Yeah, travel restrictions back then, and Sasha was sick, as well," the Newcomer said.
Rerun nodded, "Well, he married a good one," he said, "she works over at RBR, in marketing."
"What about her family?" the Newcomer asked.
"Her dad is a retired firefighter, and her mom, I'm not sure, I don't know her mom is in the picture," Rerun said.
"Okay," the Newcomer said.
"So, how long are you staying?" Rerun asked.
"Why do you ask?" the Newcomer asked.
"Just figured you'd eventually be heading back to Canada," Rerun said.
"I'm not heading back to Canada," the Newcomer said.
"Why?" Rerun asked.
"This is home, and without Sasha, there's no point to head back," the Newcomer said.
"So, what's your plan?" Rerun asked.
"Find a place, settle in and reconnect," the Newcomer said.
"Okay," Rerun said.
"It's got to be playoff time for high school basketball," the Newcomer said.
"Yeah, it is. Only the girls made the postseason this year," Rerun said.
"They must have had an off-year," the Newcomer said.
"The boy's missed a tiebreaker," Rerun said.
"I see," the Newcomer said.
"So, yeah, the girls open up their state tournament play tomorrow," Rerun said.
"I might have to check that out," the Newcomer said.
"I think they would appreciate the support," Rerun said.
"I'm sure," the Newcomer said, "How about the old gang? Who's left?"
"Chase and Huck have been married for about eleven years now; they have four kids now," Rerun said.
"Four kids? Really?" the Newcomer asked.
"Yes," Rerun said.
"How?" the Newcomer asked.
"To quote Huck, oops," Rerun said.
The Newcomer laughed, "That sounds like Huck," he said.
"He doesn't change much," Rerun said.
"So, what are they doing now?" the Newcomer asked.
"Chase is running TRIC now, and Huck is a firefighter," Rerun said.
"I didn't see that coming," the Newcomer said.
"None of us did," Rerun said.
"Who else?" the Newcomer asked.
"Keith and Izzy have been married around ten years now and have two kids," Rerun said, "Izzy is the local US Representative; Keith works at RBR but is currently in Europe with the National Guard."
"Again, something I wouldn't expect," the Newcomer said.
"No one saw that coming," Rerun said.
"How about Angela?" the Newcomer asked.
"She lives in Connecticut," Rerun said.
"Okay," the Newcomer said.
"Ashlyn and James are still married, they have three kids, but James lives in Miami most of the year. The three kids are young, and Ashlyn raised the kids alone," Rerun said.
"That's got to be tough," the Newcomer said.
"Add to it, she's a guidance counselor at the high school and assistant coach on the girls' basketball team," Rerun said.
"I never expected Ashlyn to coach," the Newcomer said.
"She got to the WNBA but lasted about a year before her knee finally gave out. She returned to school, blah, blah," Rerun said.
"Interesting; I might have to make sure I check out that basketball game," the Newcomer said.
"Be aware her mom had just died, and James is in town," Rerun said.
"Okay," the Newcomer said.
"Now, finish your beer," Rerun said.
"Why?" the Newcomer asked.
Rerun laughed, "So, I can sell you another," he said.
"Well then," the Newcomer said, laughed, and drank his beer.
