Josie slid from sleep to wakefulness as the sun dappled the shades. She stretched feeling well-used muscles and thought about the campy doctor who’d told her once after a serious fall, “Motion is lotion!” and decided to get out of the bed.
The bed had been a lonely one for too long but finding the right person with whom to share it was always better than finding just anyone to warm the other side of the bed and she was committed to it if for no other reason than random strangers just didn’t “do” it for her. It was as good a reason as any to be celibate and better than most.
A little eyeliner, a little mascara, a touch of lipstick after brushing her teeth and hair were good enough for facing the world for now. She was older now, hoped she was wiser, but definitely a little more bruised but as she checked herself out in the mirror decided she looked pretty damn good. “Always room for improvement,” she said to her reflection, but she’d always been her worst critic.
***
Josie left the house like a woman on a mission, running errands that had been put off for far too long. Toward the end of the afternoon a call came in while she was sitting in traffic. Looking at the screen, she accepted the call from her best friend Ver.
“Josie, come out tonight, a bunch of us are going to your favorite bar. I’ll pick you up or you can Uber, but you’re drinking tonight!”
“I don’t know, Ver, my tolerance is at an all-time low and I’m not sure I’m good company just now.”
“I didn’t actually give you a choice other than me picking you up or you Ubering, those were the only choices offered!”
Josie laughed, “Fine, I’ll Uber, text me the address. What time?”
“Seven, see you there. Text me when you leave the house.”
***
A little after seven Josie’s Uber dropped her off at the bar where Ver was going to meet her. Ver and their friend Allie were already at the corner of the bar near the band. She hated that corner, it was too loud, but she supposed tonight wasn’t for a catch-up session, it was to let loose and have a little fun.
“Ahh! You’re here, you’re actually here!” Ver screamed over the music when she spotted Josie.
“Ha! You owe me the next drink, Ver!” Allie yelled back, “I told her you’d be here, she was sure she’d have to send an Uber to drag you out!”
Josie rolled her eyes and stole a shot from those already lined up at the table and downed it. She caught the eye of her favorite bartender, Tom, and scrunched her nose. He walked over to her and she pulled her own bottle from the gigantic bag she always carried in. She added the bottle to the counter below the bar and put up one finger asking for Tom to pour one for her.
Long ago she and the management made a deal, they had shit liquor and she wasn’t going to waste her calories on it, but if she brought her own, they would pour it and just charge her a corkage fee. In all honesty they rarely actually charged it but she did tip extremely well for the privilege and the bartenders seemed to appreciate that. It was win-win for her and the bartenders and considering the number of client meetings she held there, it seemed to be a win for the bar as well.
She noticed one guy at the bar watch where she put the bottle and slitted her eyes at him and looked up at Tom. By now, Tom was an old hand at Josie-speak and moved the bottle from below the bar where anyone could reach it, poured a glass for her while reading the label.
“What are we celebrating with the Balvenie Triple Cask tonight, Josie?” The glass hit the bar and was in her hand in a split second and she sipped. The bar went up onto the shelf, even if another bartender took over, they all knew if they didn’t recognize it, it was likely for Josie and wouldn’t pour it for anyone else unless she approved.
“Damnit, I always forget how much I love Scotch, Tom!”
“What makes you so special?” the guy at the bar asked as he turned slightly to face her. Josie gave him an impish grin, turned away and went back to her friends and a fabulous night.
Elizabeth Dennis Writes 