“My name is Sarah by the way,” she tells me as we pull in to Dawn’s. “I’ve seen your boyfriend here a lot. He’s always seemed so kind hearted. The look on his face today was different. Like something more serious was bothering him. Unfortunately he thought beer would help and only made it worse. I know I don’t know him but—”
“I know,” I say cutting her off. “Thank you Sarah. I’m Hillary.” I shake her hand.
“Maybe we’ll run into each other here for coffee some day?” She smiles at me.
I try not to show how shaken up I am inside, and smile back. It seems to work. “I hope so,” I say as I get out of her car, and thank her again.
I turn around and see Jay, Lily, Bevan, Tess, Brody, Jameson, Karolyn and a few other familiar faces but no one I know all that well sitting at the picnic tables. I take a deep breath and try to collect myself. I make my way across the parking lot and wave to everyone. Tess and Brody stand up and start singing happy birthday to me.
“Happy birthday, H-bomb!” Jameson hollers.
“Thanks everyone. I’m sorry I can’t stay. I’m not feeling all that well but thank you for the lovely song.”
Tess walks over to me and grabs my hand. “Hey, have you been crying?”
“A little, just from a bad migraine though. I need to go home and get some sleep.” I tell her. I give her a hug and with shaky feet walk towards my car.
“Hillary, wait up.” Jameson shouts. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a migraine.” I lie. I don’t want to admit what really happened.
“Okay. Just checking. So, what are you doing Saturday night? I’m driving up to Worthington to visit my dad and he asked if I’d like to bring a friend. You mentioned you grew up like a redneck, and like redneck bars so I thought this would be fun.”
“You know what, I could really use a carefree night out after the day I’ve had. Thanks Jameson.”
Jameson claps me on the back, like he would a friend, not a lover. “Drive safe H-bomb, and happy birthday again.”
“He’s too good for you.”
June 16, 2001
THE DRIVE TO WORTHINGTON is a long boring stretch of highway, and then rural back roads. Jameson and I rock out to music and have minor chitchat. Totally casual. We pull in to the small town bar of The Tavern to meet Jameson’s dad, Rick. Jameson pulls around to the back of the building. With his hand on the small of my back he ushers me in through the back entryway. I like his hand there. I feel protected even though I know I don’t need to be. It’s dark, a little raw and a very loud live band is playing, but it’s not crowded. I think Jameson spots his father, so I follow him.
“Hey Pop.”
“Jameson! How are ya son?”
“I’m good Pop. Pop, this is my friend, Hillary.”
Jameson’s dad is not what I envisioned. He’s short and round like Humpty Dumpty with the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen. He’s adorable.
“Nice to meet you, Miss. Can I get you a drink?”
“Nice to meet you too. I would love a Bud Light, if they have it.” I request.
Rick ushers me to a seat as he and Jameson approach the bar to get our drinks.
The night is full of fun; playing pool, laughing, telling stories, singing, and dancing. From talking to Rick I notice he and my father have a lot in common. They would get along really well. Massachusetts is so small they might even know each other. When I told my dad where I was going tonight he knew of the bar, so, maybe?
We left The Tavern around midnight and headed home on Route 66. I had a smile on my face the whole ride back. I had such a good time hanging out with Jameson and his dad. When we get back to Dawn’s no one is around. No sign of anybody, not even across the street at the Dublin bar. I hug Jameson, and thank him for a fun night. My drive home is shorter than his so I tell him I expect a phone call when he gets home, so I know he’s safe.
When I get home I pray I’m not locked out. I’m very late. I walk through the garage, up the stairs, put my hand on the doorknob. I say a silent prayer. I turn the knob, push and look up hoping not to see the chain connected on the other end. It opens.
Thank you God!
I quietly tip toe to in to my room, close the door and turn my light on. In fear of waking up my mother and getting yelled at I skip washing my face and brushing my teeth. Once I’m in my pajamas and I crawl in to bed I hear my phone ringing. It’s Jameson.
“Hello?” I whisper.
“H-bomb! I’m home.”
“Okay, good. Thanks again I had a lot of fun with you and your dad. Next time you go back I’ll go with you!”