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“So, what’s Margie like?”
“She’s a little different to us. She dresses like a geek. Her hair needs a good style cut into it, but she’s so nice, Rue.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being a geek, Reagan. You were one once.”
Narrowing my eyes at her playfully, the server comes back with another bottle of beer and puts it down just as movement at the door catches my eye.
“She’s here.” I jump down from the stool and make the short way back to the door to greet Margie. This is the most stylish I’ve seen her—she has on ripped jeans, a camisole, and a denim jacket.
“Margie, I’m so glad you came.” Her hair is pulled back into a high ponytail and she even has a small amount of makeup on. “You look great.”
“You sure? I wasn’t too sure how to dress. You look amazing though.”
“You look incredible. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Ruby.” Linking arms with her, I lead her back to the table and make introductions. “Ruby, this is Margie Mae Campbell. Margie, this is my best friend Ruby Spencer.” They both hold out their hands to shake at the same time as I hitch myself back up on my stool.
“So, should we order food? I’m not sure what to get, I’m thinking maybe some wings.”
“I’m getting nachos.” Margie speaks up, and Ruby is too busy tipping back her beer and looking over the menu to answer.
“Rue?”
She pulls the bottle from her lips and swallows her beer. “I think we should share some hot wings, french fries, and onion rings.”
“Cool with me. Margie, are you okay with just nachos or I can order extra portions for you?”
“No, I’m fine with nachos, thanks.”
Grabbing the server’s attention again, I ordered our food, two more beers for Ruby and me, and Margie added a large Pepsi for her as she didn’t want any alcohol.
I can see Ruby studying Margie and wonder to myself what’s got her attention. I don’t have to wait long, because just then Ruby’s voice cuts through our silence. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
Margie straightens her back and shakes her head. “I don’t think so…”
“Strange. Your face is really familiar to me. Did you go to school here?”
“No. I only moved here a few years ago.”
“Huh. You must have a double, then.” She picks her bottle back up and takes another pull, shrugging.
“Well, they say that everyone has one.”
“To be honest, Ms.—”
“Woah, stop.” I hold up my hand. “We’re not in the office, we’re sharing a drink as friends, so call me Reagan.”
“Okay. So, to be honest…Reagan, I wouldn’t put you in a place like this. I would have thought an uptown cocktail bar would be more you.”
Ruby laughs. “You don’t know our Ray-ray here very well at all. Beneath all that perfect hair and makeup, stuffy expensive suits and Louboutins, is a rock kitten just aching to come back out to play. Am I right, Reagan?” Her raised eyebrow challenges me to disagree with her.
“Rue, really?” I eye Ruby again before turning back to Margie. “Back in college, I was more of a wild child than anyone sees these days.”
I wish I could take my phone and get a picture of the look on Margie’s face right now—she looks shocked.
The chatter of my wilder days soon comes to a halt when the waitress brings us our food and places the plates in the middle of the table. We can save Margie from a heart attack for a little longer. I know I’m far away from my college days, but that’s what college was for. Margie looks between Ruby and me every now and again. I’m sure she’s shocked to see me as an actual human and enjoying a drink.
I throw some bills into the middle of the table when we’re done eating, and we make our way out excitedly.It feels like I haven’t been to a concert in years. I’ve been too busy making my name in the corporate world.
Ruby steps into the road and hails a cab for us. We get in the back, putting Margie between us. We get out between 8th and 9th Avenue, at the corner of the arena, and once I’ve paid for the cab, we begin the walk around to the entrance.
