Thanksgiving: Counting Friends & Blessings

Mom kicked me out of the kitchen, why? I was in her way. So I took a trip to the ancient dive for want of nothing else to do to my liver. The moon was bright in the clear night sky, late in the last quarter, two nights before the full moon. I walked in and found the place was full of regulars, apparently I wasn’t the only one put out of the kitchen. Shelly was behind the bar and working the crowd. Bossman is traveling.

The sisterhood was in attendance and I saw a face I haven’t seen in over two full moons, K-Cee was in the back smoking with Candy, it was good to see them both. Daria was in the house with her new flame, Petita, Rallie was there too, a few semi regular menhaters, along with some of Shelly’s late nighters who got off work early. The Met Fan was in attendance with another long time local from the old school, Mad Wack, who is known to hit on anything walking.

Hector and Ellie were working the jukebox and all the sisterhood were dancing and having a good time. I waited for a break in the action before even attempting to go near the jukebox. Mad Wack was scoping the bar and attempting to talk to anyone who would give him 3 seconds. Candy and Ellie danced for a while. I was checking out the crowd looking for the drama. There was none at this time. Everyone was getting loose but staying within themselves.

Everyone was very attentive to Daria. On the surface everything looks fine with Daria, like Mount Vesuvius looked fine to the inhabitants of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Candy was also looking fine and getting loose with all members of the Sisterhood, but she was also dancing around the pain, her smile nicely painted over what she was feeling. K-Cee was just getting loose and letting go. I was glad to see that.

The old First Sergeant showed up, Dorn was having a ball, I got to the jukebox and he was right behind me. Ellie was kind of pissed, we kept it rocking, but it was soul, Motown, Atlantic, T-Neck, Phillie Int’l and Quncy. Pimp was at the front end of the bar and he was pretty cool. We talked, he lamented that his woman was not around, he was hurting because he was alone. I knew what he was feeling, I did empathize with him about loneliness, not his being lonely.

Mad Wack was not happy with some of the “lez music” but he was happy to be in the house when the music went to old soul. The Met Fan was doing his sing along to the lyrics in his usual style even M.W. (Mad Wack) commented about his singing skills (he wanted him to shut up). Brad popped in and had one or two. Daria and some sisterhood members shot pool against some ‘young dudes’ (ala Mott the Hoople, get it?) Daria kicked ass.

Beyond the easy groove on the surface was an apparent sadness, a quiet mood that all the sisterhood and some of the regulars were in. It was Holiday Blues, and since many of us were missing loved ones, the alcohol dousing we gave our hearts, minds and livers was noticeable and apparent. We who lost souls were running from the pain by filling up the glass, hoping the empty bottle would somehow fill a hole in our souls. (Not happening)

Petita’s love for Daria was apparent by her deep affection, shown in a variety of tasteful but clearly passionate ways. That love became explosive when Daria wanted to drive herself home. Petita went off, she was angry at herself for getting angry with Daria. Candy ironed out all the wrinkles in short order (she’s great at that). Candy revealed some of the reason why she helped Daria decide to ride home. She knows what it is to loose family to drunk drivers.


It was really cool to play music with K-Cee and Candy. I watched them talk, laugh, have fun and get loose. Candy danced with me for a while and that always gets me smiling inside-out. I watched the dread in every face that left the dive. They didn’t want to face the next day. When Candy, K-Cee and I left it was Thanksgiving Day. Gentle smiles poorly hid the heavy hearts.

We are missing people this Thanksgiving. But we should give thanks for the love and support we have shown each other in the dark times, the hard times, the bitter times. For people who are supposed to be cold hard drinkers there are the softest, kindest most generous hearts I’ve ever known. When Daria gave into the wishes of her lover and friends, I saw love and love returned, it did move me. (I’m getting soft in my old age too)

Many regulars lost loved ones this year, Daria, Candy, Brad, the Met Fan, S.D. and me, among others. Some of us still hurt over loved ones lost in years past. The bar lost regulars that we seemed to take for granted until they were gone. Gone from time are Jessie, Tommy, George and an old guy few remember, Kevin. As we deal with the grief of loss, let us rejoice in knowing that we do care for each other and actually feel and share our pain as easily as we share music and liquor.

Lets be thankful for the souls in our lives and the love we share, whether from the sweetness of celebration or the bitterness of grief, we must give thanks for the love.

Peace

Happy Thanksgiving

RJ