Cassie
ThankGodit’sFriday.
I love Friday nights. It’s the night I meet my best friends at Benny’s Bar for cocktails and a catchup. Even though we share an apartment together, we hardly see each other during the week. We all have busy jobs requiring long hours, so we don’t get to spend much time together on weeknights.
Friday cocktail night is our night. No working late, no excuses for skipping out except maybe family and absolutely no men allowed. This has been our girl code since college.
Today has been one of those days when a couple of cocktails and a chat with the girls is what's needed. Ever since mom's call I've felt unsettled, like at any moment something bad is going to happen. And something bad may happen, Luke could call me.
With a shake of my head, I yank open the bar door and stride inside. It's obviously a rare quiet night as there aren't many people standing at the bar tables scattered around the room or even sitting in the booths along the back wall. I can't see Lily or Jasmine at our usual reserved table, but I guess I’m a little early.
Benny’s Bar is in the Village and conveniently a short walk from our red brick apartment block. I love living in such a great area with loads of bars and restaurants, serving food and drinks at all hours. I mean who wouldn't love the ability to get a cocktail within a few minutes' walk of home.
Tonight, I don't see Benny the owner serving behind the bar, which is surprising as usually on a Friday he likes to work, welcoming his customers. I perch on a stool to wait for my friends, and I'm not sitting for long before Benny bursts through from the kitchen doors.
“Well, hello gorgeous,” he says in his strong Italian accent, as he walks around the bar to give me a welcoming hug.
Benny reminds me of my dad. Big, jovial, and with a heart of gold. He is unashamedly loud, which is not surprising as he comes from a large Italian family, so I guess he had to be.
“Good to see you, Benny, I was wondering where you were tonight? I thought you might be having a night off.”
Benny throws his head back and bursts into a full belly laugh. “Night off. I think I last had one of those back in 2011.”
I shake my head and wag my finger. “All work and no play.”
He's quick to respond with a wink. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head, I get plenty of play.”
Laughing, I put my hands over my ears. “La la la la I can’t hear you.”
Benny has no filter and has been known to be a bit of an over-sharer when it comes to what he and his wife, Maria gets up to.
He laughs again, loud enough to rattle the glasses hanging from the bar. The best thing about Benny’s bar, you can walk in feeling a bit worn down by the week, but it doesn’t last more than a minute in this man’s company. His infectious laugh and ridiculous banter brush it all away and makes sure you leave with a skip in your step and a smile on your face.
Smiling already, I say, “Benny, you are such a flirt. What would Maria say if she caught you winking at the young girls?”
Benny, with a hand on his heart, says, “My Maria knows she is my only love, and to my eyes no one is more beautiful.”
Benny and his wife Maria are the cutest couple.
“Ah, Benny, you give me hope in finding love. You and Maria are such a great example of what could be.”
He pats my hand resting on the bar and says, “Everyone has a special someone out there. You only have to find them. Like I did my Maria.”
I wish I could believe in the love behind his words, but I’m not so sure. Certainly, in my experience with Luke, it's made me doubt I’d even recognize love if it came along.
After Luke finished our relationship, I questioned everything about what I thought love was. I questioned the connection I thought I shared with Luke and the desire for a future with someone who I thought wanted the same thing.
Searching for love has become something I don’t allow myself to do. Instead, I throw my effort into my friends, family, and building my career. Those are the things I can trust and have some control over.
Benny moves back behind the bar. “Now, what can I get for the beautiful Miss Cassandra tonight?” He asks as he stands silhouetted against the shelves of brightly colored bottles filled with spirits and mixers.
This man is so good for my ego.
I scan the specials chalk board at one end of the bar. “Well, now it depends. What is tonight’s happy hour special?”
“I think you will like it, so let me surprise you with my special ‘Friday Fancy’,” he responds.
I enjoy watching him move confidently around the bar, grabbing several interesting looking bottles.
