The door slammed loudly, rattling the tables. Nik glanced up to see Kit Steiner striding towards the counter. Seeing Kit at the bar, especially at night, was surprising. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Kit out this late.
Kit seemed shaken; his golden eyes were bleary and he kept looking around. Nik watched him take a seat and stare off into space.
“Hey, what can I get you?” asked Nik, strolling over.
“I’m good thanks,” Kit replied, shaking his head as if to clear his mind.
“Please don’t tell me you’re here for the food. Our ‘heavenly cheesy fries’ lean more toward hellish.” Nik chuckled. Whenever times were hard he had been forced to eat at the bar. In his opinion, eating cheese fries was almost as bad as starving.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Drinks?”
“I don’t drink.” Nik raised his eyebrows, wondering if Kit had forgotten this was a bar.
“Some milk, then?”
Kit scowled at him and his face darkened.
“Hey, I’m sorry, Kit.” Nik said awkwardly. “It’s just… this is a bar, you know?”
Kit remained silent.
“C’mon, what’s up?” Nik prompted, leaning across the bar.
“I-” Kit cleared his throat. “My father, who abandoned my mom for another woman, is dating my mom.”
“Wow, that divorce was messy… the whole town knew about it.” Nik paused. “You don’t have to hang around him too, though.”
“I know. But...I can’t just abandon her the way my father did! Ugh, they’ve been in touch the past couple weeks - I don’t get how I missed it!”
“Everybody has ghosts and secrets, especially in this town. They lie, cheat, and manipulate... Just be there for her when he leaves,” Nik advised.
“Yep, there to pick up the broken pieces as usual.”
“Look, at least you have a mom who cares.” Nik said bitterly.
I shouldn’t have said that.
“Hey, I’m sorry...about that.” Kit stuttered. “What exactly happened?”
“Well, my parents blew the money I’d saved for college on booze and drugs. And, as usual, the kid ran away from home and blah-d-blah!” Nik chuckled, not making eye contact. Kit didn’t need to know the whole story.
“Wow, I’m so sorry, dude…” Kit sounded unsure of what to say.
“It sucks, but… that’s life.” Sighing, Nik ran his hands through his hair.
“I have to work. See you around.” Nik left, deciding he needed a cigarette.
