Chapter 545: Rerun's Bar and Grill
Friday, February 24th, Evening
It had been a grueling day on top of a grueling week. Her students at times counted on her to be more than a history teacher, but she enjoyed he chosen profession. Mentoring young people meant the world to her. Even though it meant the world to her, she needed a break and a night out.
Shay reached for her smartphone and scrolled through her contacts. She found the one she was looking for and smiled.
Shay: Hey girl! Let's go out tonight. On me!
Cheeravelli: I have to work.
Shay: You run the club, have a minion do it.
Cheeravelli: It's our busy night, and people expect someone at the perch.
Shay: You could still be there; hell, we can hang there.
Cheeravelli: Hang at my own job? Really that desperate?
Shay: Please, don't make me beg.
Cheeravelli: Fine.
Shay: Awesome! Dinner first.
Cheeravelli: Fine! Our usual place?
Shay: Of course.
Cheeravelli: So, glad the husband's off today, and no OT. See you in about an hour.
Shay: See you in an hour.
Shay got up and went over to her closet. It sucked that most of her friends were married, and several had children; it was hard to get together with them. Shay was about to pick out an outfit to change into when suddenly she paused and picked up her smartphone again. After a moment, she put it down and returned to her closet.
She changed into lighter layers, and after slipping on her shoes, she headed to the living room. Shay picked up her quilted hooded jacket and slipped it on. She dug through her other jacket; after retrieving her cardholder and keys, she put them in the inner pocket.
Shay looked at her roommate, who sat on the couch. Shaking her head, she grabbed the new spare apartment key and handed it to her roommate as she walked by.
"Ari, please try and not lose this one," Shay said.
"I'll try," Arijana Siegel, her roommate and a doctoral candidate at UNC-Wilmington, said.
"The landlord is getting tired of replacing your key," Shay said.
"I'll do better," Arijana said.
Shay nodded, "I'm headed out," she said and left the apartment, barely hearing Arijana's muted response, " Okay."
Walking downstairs, she emerged out on the street. She looked to one side, which led to the rear parking lot and her car; she shook her head. Shay and Arijana rented a two-bedroom right on High Street. Fortunately, Shay lived within walking distance of where she was meeting her friend. So, she took an early evening stroll. Shay was glad she could drop off her bag, clean up, and change before meeting up with her friend.
Shay walked down the street, just a few blocks, and found her destination. The lights read Rerun's Bar and Grill, right on Main Street. Shay smiled, finished her walk, and pulled open the door. The Latin Influenced decor filled her eyes, the sounds of sports filled her ears, and the kitchen scent filled her nose, expanding the smile on her face.
"Hey Cassie, come in and sit anywhere you want," Rerun said from behind the bar. All these years, Rerun still called her by the diminutive of her seldom-used first name, Cassidy.
"Thanks, Rerun," Shay said and found a table.
The young server came over to her. "Hello, I'm Kora; I'll be your server; may I start you with anything?" Kora asked in her too perfect English.
Shay was well aware of who she was meeting tonight. "A pitcher of water, chips, and the spicy guacamole," Shay ordered.
"Very good," Kora said and walked away.
The server quickly returned with the pitcher of water, two glasses, the bowl of chips, and guacamole.
"Will that be all?" Kora asked.
"That will be all for now," Shay said.
To her word, about an hour after their text conversation, Mrs. J.L. Burke walked into the bar. Shay watched as Rerun turned to Mrs. J.L. Burke.
"Hey Chase, welcome. Do you need a table?" Rerun asked.
"No, I'm looking for someone," Chastity "Chase," Burke said.
"Very well," Rerun said.
Chase turned and found Shay. Slowly, Chase walked over to the table.
"Imagine my surprise, getting a text after - I don't know - how long has it been?" Chase said, quirking an eyebrow with a gleam in her eye.
"Oh no! Not the twinkle!" Shay said, jokingly in a gasped back response, "But seriously, C, it's been far too long. It's good to see you."
Chase nodded and took a seat. "You have no idea, with the kids, club, and Huck," she said.
"I can imagine, speaking of the big guy, how is Huck?" Shay asked.
"Thanks for this, by the way, Huck's home with the kids, and I've managed to get tonight off," Chase said and adjusted a stray lock of her brunette hair.
"That's a rarity, isn't it?" Shay asked, smiling.
"Very much so; we're hardly ever off the same night, if at all. That's planned, though," Chase said with a soft smile.
"Sorry to take you away," Shay said.
"No, you're fine, I was supposed to work, but I got Amy to cover," Chase said.
"Good, we need girl time," Shay said, "You hungry?"
"Starving," Chase said, nodded, and perused the menu.
"How are your levels?" Shay asked knowingly.
"I just checked; I'm a little high," Chase nodded, "But not as high as it was last time," Chase said in an attempt to reassure Shay.
"Fair enough," Shay said and nodded, "So, what's going on over there?"
Before Chase got to reply Rerun appeared. He's a short, stocky man and smiled at them. "Ladies! Two things first, how are you, and second, what can I get y'all?"
"Where's Kora?" Shay asked.
"I sent her on break so that I can attend to the two most beautiful women in the restaurant," Rerun said.
"My god, Rerun, what would Mina say?" Chase asked.
"Ramon, you're dreaming, and just take their orders," Rerun said.
Chase laughed, "That's Mina. We're good, and the usual for me," Chase said, smiling at Rerun.
"A cheeseburger and fries," Shay said, "By the way, she's right; we're doing great; long day and week for me, though."
"Very well, "I'll put the orders in," Rerun said and disappeared as quickly as he appeared.
Chase started to say something, but Shay shook her head, "Are we really going to do this?" Shay asked.
Chase smirked, "You missed me, O'B, and you know it," she said.
Shay sighed dramatically, "I must say, I did, I truly did," she said.
"With every shot," Chase replied.
"Funny, C," Shay said.
"I try," Chase said.
"No matter if you fail or not," Shay said.
"Stop it!" Chase howled with laughter, "I was messed up."
"You were mocking Huck; you need to thank your lucky stars; that man married you," Shay snorted back.
"That and failed birth control," Chase said dryly.
"That too," Shay said.
"I really do," Chase said, letting out a sigh of relief, "I have everything I ever wanted because of him. I really am beyond grateful and deeply thankful he chose me."
"I know," Shay said, "It was my honor to bear witness as it started."
Chase nodded solemnly, then flashed her brilliant smile. "Hey," Chase mused, "We're missing someone."
Chase pulled out her smartphone and shot off a text to someone. She grinned as she got an immediate reply. Shy couldn't help herself but grin as a video call request marked Izzy appeared on Chase's screen. Chase answered it, and Representative Isabella "Izzy" Scott, NC-D, appeared on the screen.
"What?" Izzy asked, her voice tired.
"Hey! You're never going to believe who I'm having dinner with - and before you ask, Huck knows because he's home with the horde," Chase said.
Izzy let out a dry laugh. "So, not Emilio?" Izzy asked.
"Who's Emilio?" Shay asked.
"Bite your tongue, Congresswoman," Chase said, narrowing her eyes in a warning. Shay stepped into the view of the camera laughing at the sisters.
"Well, well, well," Izzy said, grinning.
"Good evening, Congresswoman," Shay said.
"Good evening, Doc," Izzy said, smiling.
"Why don't you come out and join us," Shay suggested.
"Can't; I have an early day tomorrow," Izzy said.
"In Washington?" Shay asked.
"No, I'm at Beaulieu and spending time with Nomi and Ellis," Izzy said.
"Speaking of family," Chase interjected.
"They won't even tell me anything," Izzy said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"That's awful; I'm sorry, Iz," Chase said with a sigh.
"Operational security, they call it," Izzy said.
Shay mused that Chase wouldn't admit it, and it depended on who she was talking with, but Chase was just as worried about Keith as Izzy was. Shay knew the death of Sergeant Jermaine Garrison shook the community. Shay often wondered if Keith knew Sergeant Garrison.
"No news is good news," Izzy said, "That's what Angela says and what everyone else is telling me."
"It's going to be okay, Izzy," Chase and Shay said, in turn trying to reassure Izzy.
"I hope so, I really hope so," Izzy said, "Hey, I got to go; Ellis needs help."
"Alright, talk to you soon," Chase said.
"Talk to you soon, Izzy," Shay said.
"Bye," Izzy said and disconnected the call.
"So, who is Emilio?" Shay asked.
"Let's just eat," Chase said dryly.
Shay looked at Chase, who shrugged. The two friends resumed their spirited conversation and continued it over a warm and hearty meal after it came over.
