Casey paid the cab driver and thanked him again.
"You have a nice night." He said taking the money.
Cappie got out and held the door open for his girlfriend.
"Thank you Cap." She slipped out and closed the door. Then he took her arm and lead her to the door of the private bar. Casey's red gown made a swishing noise as she walked. Her stilettos were a matching fire-engine color and so was her lipstick.
"Did I mention sweetheart, you look amazing." Cappie said. Casey beamed.
"Thank you. You do too Mr. Craig Newman."
Cappie laughed and said. "Why thank you. I feel like a million bucks." And he looked it in his grey designers suit. Under it, he wore a red button-up and a black tie.
The bouncer stopped them at the door.
"Invitations?" He asked. Casey pulled out her I.D. "Oh!" The bouncer unhooked the gate, "Welcome Miss Cartwright, and happy thirtieth."
"Thank you!" Casey replied. The bouncer eyed Cappie. "He's with me." She added quickly. The bouncer grunted.
"Proceed." He gave Cappie a head nod.
"Um, thanks."
Casey pulled Cappie inside before the bouncer could do anything. He gave her a thankful look, and they began to mingle.
"Casey!"
"Happy birthday!"
"How does it feel to be thirty?"
Everyone called out to her as she walked through the bar. They all grinned at her, but their smiles faded as Cappie followed her. Patricia met up with Casey at the bar.
"Case! I'm so glad you…you two…could make it!" She said, correcting herself when she saw Cappie.
"Thanks Trish, this is really nice of you all!" Casey replied not noticing her lack of acknowledging Cappie.
"Well, you are our favorite coworker!" She said. "Now, come out on the dance floor!"
Casey turned to Cappie.
"Go." He said, "You have fun. And I'll wait right here."
"Drinks are on the house." Patricia informed him.
"Cappie are you sure?" Casey asked.
"Yeah, yeah have fun! It's your party!"
"Okay. I'll be back soon."
Patricia took Casey's arm and lead her away. Cappie sat up on a stool.
"What can I get for you sir?" The tender asked.
"Do you have Budweiser on tap?" Cappie asked.
"We sure do." The tender turned to fill a glass for him.
"Excuse me?" A voice asked behind Cappie. He turned around to see a man standing there.
"Hi. What can I do for you?"
"Why are you here? This is a private party. Did you get an invitation?"
Meanwhile…
Casey watched Cappie from across the room. At first he seemed fine, ordering a drink, then the next thing she knew one of her friends—John—was talking to him. The look on Cappie's face was confused.
She couldn't hear what John was saying. But by the looks of Cappie's facial expression he had made him mad. Cappie said something, and John pointed his finger at him.
"Trish…I'll be right back." Casey said moving toward the scene. As she got closer she could make out the conversation.
"Did you get an invitation?"
"Actually I'm here with Casey…"
"That's what all you bums say." John was angry.
Cappie was just as livid. "Bum?! You're calling me a bum why?"
"Listen you…don't raise your voice at me! You crashed this thing. Casey's friends—everyone here—you can tell the difference between us and bums. Look at them they're nicely clothed and shaven. You…you look like a caveman that acquired a suit. I can spot the bums when I see them. Now out."
"John!" Casey finally cried. He spun around.
"Case, this guy—"
"Is my friend!"
"What?"
Casey opened her mouth to defend Cappie but he cut her off. "No. It's okay Case. Obviously I'm not suitable for your crowd." Cappie ran off.
"Crap!" Casey cried, "John! That's my boyfriend! He's not doing so well right now, but he's certainly not a bum!"
"Do you know where he lives Casey?" John asked.
"In the Bronx…for now."
John looked at her like she had three heads.
"No, no, no. I saw that guy sleeping on a bench in Central Park the other day when I was walking to work. He had like three bags with him, but they looked crumpled. I thought maybe he was resting or something but the next day I saw him looking for food in the trash…"
"That's ridiculous," Casey said. "Cappie's been with me lately."
"This was a while ago…three, four weeks."
Casey pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
"Oh God…" she finally muttered, then she ran out the door.
A/N: So, the scene at the bar didn't go the way I planned, but it worked out. Yes, yes Cappie's deep dark secret has been exposed. *GASP!* The story is coming to a close soon. Sorry for the shortness…I have no time anymore!!