“Could be. He’s a crusty old turd, but I love him. Wife says me and that cantankerous mule are similar asses.”
I chuckled. “Kenan says the geese and I are birds of a feather.”
It was then that Kenan appeared, smiling, his light jacket of bright pink setting off the rosy tone of his cheeks. Early April could be downright chilly here in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Everyone called out his name, much like Norm onCheers, and Kenan stopped to chit-chat or gossip with them all. I couldn’t help but smile as he made his way behind the bar to steal a kiss.
“I thought you were working on the world’s most magnificent seder plate,” I said after the smooch ended.
“I was, but I ran out of horseradish.”
“Ah, well, you better not fart around in here too long. The grocery store will be closing at six instead of eight today.”
“Oh right, small town hours. I keep forgetting. Looks pretty busy. Are you sure—”
“I’m sure. It’s a holiday for you. Also, seder plates don’t make themselves. Nora is dying to dig into it. Of course, she’s been on this horseradish and sour cream dip kick for the past few weeks.”
“Pregnancy will do that to you. I’ll be sure to get extra horseradish. Do you need anything from the store? It’s a long drive.”
“Babe, it’s like seven hours if we don’t stop. I think I can manage. Now go finish your seder prep. I’ll see you when these knuckleheads go home.”
Kenan cradled my face in his hands. They reeked of horseradish. He kissed me on the mouth with such passion I had to hold on to the bar to keep from melting to the floor.
“I love you so much,” he whispered when the kiss broke.
“I love you too,” I breathlessly replied. His smile was brilliant as the bright spring sun shone through the pub windows. “Now go. I’ll see you when I get home.”
“Yep, I’m off. Thanks for taking the geese, Lyle. I can get them some of the out-of-date bagged salads if Penny is working the produce section when I—”
“Go!” a half dozen of us said in unison. Kenan laughed and rushed out of the bar, a cool wind coming in as he left, making all the little paper Easter eggs and Happy Passover cardboard decorations hung from the ceiling sway.
I got back to serving beer and blintzes followed by daydreaming as I washed pitchers, mugs, and glasses behind the bar. I had no clearcut idea what would happen when, say in a year or more or maybe less, Kenan and I possibly decided to live together. Would he sell his place? Would I sell mine? Was I putting my horse way in front of my cart? Probably. I did tend to worry about shit that was several years down the road. Having a home of his own was massively important to his recovery efforts. So while I disliked him not being in my bed every night seeing him living a clean, healthy life as a steadily employed taxpaying citizen made me incredibly proud of him. We’d sort it all out when the time came. For now, we spent nights at my cabin and then at his, swapping out places as the mood suited.
“Hey, I’m going to head home. Check on your geese and Festus, and then snuggle up with the missus for the rest of thenight. You closing up soon?” Lyle asked as he pushed an arm into his jacket sleeve.
“Yeah, I have to clean the kitchen yet, but after that, I am out of here. Well, once I roust all the boneheads out, that is.”
Lyle chuckled. “Ah, you like us deep down.” I cocked an eyebrow. “I’m glad to see you heading out to be with Kenan. He’s a good man. We all can see how happy you are.”
I nodded, touched by his tenderness. It wasn’t a trait that many men displayed. Me included. Since I wasn’t good at being nice, I fumbled about for a reply that would express everything I felt for Kenan without making me look too sappy.
“He’s a keeper,” I replied and felt that described it all. I was no poet. Then I shouted out last call. Several dart players moaned. I told them to take the damn board with them and just get moving.
It was time for me to head home to my man. We had a holiday to celebrate. One of hundreds I hoped we would see side-by-side. The silver band hidden away in my sock drawer for next Christmas would hopefully be the start of a joyous lifetime spent together as partners in all aspects of our lives. Who would have thunk it? Me, Brann the Grump, putting joyous and holiday in the same sentence. Amazing what love could do for a man.
THE END
