Ginny's Story A novel by Karen Lockhart Copyright© 2018 Karen Lockhart All Rights Reserved.

CHAPTER 78

We ended up parking beside Mr Logan's Corvette. What a cool looking car!

As I headed for the bar, I bumped into him.

“Afternoon Ginny, ready to flip some bottles around with my daughter?” Logan asked. “You and Jean were a big hit on Saturday you know. Our membership has increased because of the two of you.”

“That's what I need to talk to you about Mr Logan.”

“Please call me Ian, Ginny.”

“Okay. Ian, I thought about performing on stage on Saturdays and I decided to just be a bartender. Terri the Tiger should be a solo act. No dividing tips or attention, just Terri.”

After a moment, Logan laughed, and while scratching his head said, “The old man was right, he said you'd only do it once. He's still a great judge of character.”

“What?” I must have looked like a goldfish with my lips flapping. “Hiram knew I wouldn't follow through doing the stripping routine?”

“Yes Ginny, Dad told me during your second appearance on Saturday.” I stared into space for a moment, “Are you upset with me, err, Ian?”

Ian Logan paused, “Ginny, you and Jean are different people. You're both good, decent people, however a stripper has a different mind set from most people that allows them to take their clothes off in front of strangers.”

“Jean is the best at what she does, and you are a great bartender, now go tend bar.”

Bobbie was leaning back with a smirk on her face. “I told my father to listen to Gramps, but would he listen? No. Mr three thousand dollar suit thinks he is always right. Well, I won $50 from him, and Grampa won $20. Are you happy Ginny?”

I gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek.

I looked at Chris and asked if anyone was interested in a slightly used Tiger suit.

This was broken up by an old man banging on the bar shouting “Service, I want service!”

Bobbie laughed, “Better see what my grandfather wants, before he gets tossed out of here on his ear.”

On the way to Hiram, I stopped just long enough to make two Cosmos, leaving one for later.

“It's about time! I thought I'd have to sober up.”

“You old phony,” I said, “Betting money on whether or not I'd dance with a three inch fireman's pole.”

“Ginny, I figured you got a rush on Friday and as Saturday went on, you lost the urge, but being the person you are, you'd finish the night, but not do it again, no matter the money.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I have a real serious question for you - a personal question.”

Hiram looked surprised, “Honey ask anything.”

“I'm getting vibes from Cathy that she likes me. You know her the best, is this true?”

“First he's a cross-dresser, totally heterosexual. And yes, Jack likes you and would like to ask you out, but he dresses better than most women. That makes him self-conscious and worried you would laugh at him.”

I smiled, “Tell Cathy to wear men's clothes, then ask me out. Oh, shoot, here he comes; not a word about this, you trouble-maker.”

I walked to the beer siphons and drew a tall Pabst and placed it in front of her.

“Thanks for the orchid plant, it's beautiful,” I said.

Cathy reddened and mumbled a 'thank you'.

A couple of waitresses needed orders filled, so I took care of them. They both asked if the rumor that Saturday was the last time Toni would appear was true. Laughing, I assured them it was.

“Too bad, she was mega-hot, good for the business.”

I just snorted, “Yeah, mega-hot, my toucis.”

I got busy and forgot about Hiram and Cathy. Soon, they needed a second drink. I put together the second Cosmo and pulled another draft Pabst.

When I set the beer in front of Cathy, she asked me to wait. Reaching into her purse, she placed a photo on the bar.

“Ginny, would you go to dinner with this guy?” Cathy asked.

I turned the photo around, peered closely at it and said, “That's you, isn't it? Wow, no matter how you dress, you look great. If that guy asked, the answer is yes. But, if Cathy asked, the answer is still yes.”

Hiram laughed, and Cathy was speechless.

I walked away, the next move was his.

On my break I went upstairs to listen to Ariana sing. That kid was great, I could listen to her sing for hours.

I chatted with the bartenders. Joy was excited, showing me her engagement ring.

'Thank goodness this is Massachusetts, I never had the GRS, but here it's legal, since in the eyes of the law, I'm a guy.”

“Joy, in my mind you're a beautiful woman, and always will be.” Looking at my watch, I said. “Time for me to go, my break's over.”

As I came down the stairs, I could hear “Satisfaction” on the sound system. Jean's on again.

Around 1:30 Cathy walked towards me, paused, and asked if on my next day off, would I like to go to dinner and see a movie.

I leaned over the bar and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I would love to.” Grabbing a cocktail napkin, I wrote my cell number and handed it to her, asking who would show up, Cathy or Jack.

“Jack! Who told you my name? That old sneak!”

I told him to shoo, it was time to close, and go to bed.

I met Jean for the ride home. Guess what the topic of conservation was! Wishing me good night, Jean headed home, and I entered the condo.

Wendy was awake, and she pounced. “What did Logan say? What did Hiram say about the guy all dressed up?”

I told her about the bet, and my dinner date on my next day off. Her response, “Can you get me a signed baseball?”

I just went to bed.

On Tuesday, I decided on pancakes and bacon for breakfast. I was sick of cheeseburgers for dinner each night so I quickly made some ham and cheese sandwiches, and tossed in a Granny Smith apple. My turn to drive today, so across the causeway to Jean's apartment I went. I think secretly, she was happy to have a solo act again.

“Jean, what kind of shape are you in to dance like that five days in a row? Just once darned near put me in the hospital.”

“I'm in crazy good shape, you saw the work out equipment.” Jean said. “Forget that, when is your date with the cute blonde?”

“Well, we could go on Thursday or Sunday, I won't know until maybe today.”

We chatted some more about nothing, until I remembered Wendy last night. “Can you imagine, all the things she could ask, it's “Can you get me a signed baseball?”

Jean laughed, “A teen is a teen, and that shows it. Here's our exit now.”