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

CHAPTER 87

That settled, I realized I hadn't come up with any new cocktails lately. I reached under the bar for my purse and cell phone. I scrolled through until I found a couple of new cocktails that perfectly suited Hiram and Cathy.

I walked to the end of the bar and asked if they would like to try something new. Hiram whined as usual and Cathy agreed with a smile, asking the cocktails' names.

I looked at Hiram, and said “For you, a 'Denver Gentleman', and for you Cathy, a 'Victoria's Secret Martini.”

This got the boys laughing at the names, “I think she changed the names to fit us Hiram, what do you think?”

“Put some alcohol in a glass, and I'll drink it.” Hiram responded.

“So some Everclear and an olive makes you happy? Why do I make those Cosmopolitans?”

I got to work. The Victoria's Secret was easy; vodka and strawberry liquor in a shaker with ice poured over a cherry in a martini glass. The 'Denver Gentleman' was almost as easy. You build it in a Collins glass filled with ice. Pour ¾ ounce of Rye whiskey and ¼ ounce of Campari over the ice, fill the glass with soda water, and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Add some orange peel and serve.

After taking a sip, Cathy's smile was my answer. Hiram drank his slowly, a smile getting bigger and bigger.

“Honey,” Hiram said, “This is good enough to wean me off Cosmos, Make me a second please.”

I looked at Cathy who nodded her agreement. I whipped up two more and slid them down the bar. A backup of waitresses drew me to where Bobbi was. We started making cocktails, flipping and tossing bottles around like crazy. The customers started to cheer and whistle, shouting that Tom Cruise should take notes.

Bobbi and I did this for the rest of the night with only a vodka bottle hitting the floor. Thank goodness it was a plastic bottle! No clean-up.

Jean and I waited outside for Ariana to show up for her ride home to Revere's Point of Pines and her apartment.

When she saw her new/old car in the driveway, she let out a squeak that would have shattered glass, just twelve inches from my ears. She couldn't wait to look inside it. I forgot, we really didn't let her get involved when buying it Sunday.

She wanted to go for a ride immediately, but Jean and I said 3AM was not the time. Jean suggested she pick us up, and drive us to work with her tomorrow. Ariana agreed, saying she'd be at my place by 1:30. This would give her time to drive around first.

Jean was still laughing as we arrived at the condo. “Hey, I forgot, are you still buying the condo from Ellen?”

“Yes, we agreed on $200,000; half down now and I'll pay Ellen $8,000 a month until we are even. I can live on my pay for a year, and pay her my tips. My expenses will increase with leasing a horse, but I'll be okay.”

“Ginny, if things get tight, just ask. I have so much in the bank I have two banks!”

I woke to my alarm at 11 AM, a solid eight hours sleep for once. Breakfast was scrambled eggs with bacon bits, and toast, the real bacon, not that flavored soy stuff.

After reading the morning paper, and watching the noon news, I was ready to have a short nap. Resisting the urge, I made a sandwich of turkey and Swiss, with a coconut yogurt and a banana, for my break at 10 PM.

I heard a horn beep at about twenty past one, there was Ariana, right on time. I gave her directions to Jean's and we picked her up at 1:30. When Jean got into the back seat, she remarked on how much room there was. I loved the bright red hood, I asked out-loud if the neighbor's mother was a Fire Chief.

We zipped down the express-way to Quincy enjoying a smoother ride than our Suv's gave. When I mentioned this, Jean laughed, and said she was thinking the same thing.

We said goodbye until later and went our separate ways.

I no sooner tied on my apron when I heard Hiram and Cathy arguing over hockey. I walked over to referee, asking what it was all about.

Cathy spoke up first, “ I say the Bruins should trade their goalie, Tukerask for a high- scoring forward before it's too late.”
Hiram disagreed, “Goalies like him are harder to find, and 'Rask has several more great seasons left.”

Knowing I couldn't help with hockey, I asked, what their poison was. They surprised me, both wanting yesterday's cocktails. So a 'Victoria's Secret' and a 'Denver Gentleman' coming up.

When I placed the cocktails in front of them, they were still arguing sports, this time Celtic's basketball. Returning to Bobbi and the waitresses, I was busy until my break.

I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I took a bite of my sandwich. I had a diet orange soda to wash it down. For me I ate quickly, finishing in just ten minutes. I saved the banana for my midnight break.

Ian and a couple of waitresses had started to put up Christmas decorations when I got back. Asking Ian if that was all the decorations, he replied that a commercial decorating crew was coming in the morning to put up lights, trees and wreaths.

I love the decorations as much as the Holiday itself. I decided to buy a real tree this year for home. Since Sunday was my day off, and the Patriots played the evening game, I'd grab Wendy and Ellen, if she wished, to go to Home Depot for a tree and decorations. This would be Ellen's last Christmas in the condo, so I bet she'd want to pitch in.
Between us three, I guessed the tree would be decorated that night, leaving little things for later. I wondered if we could put lights outside also, I'd look for an outdoor outlet when I got home. Back home we went to rest up for Friday night.

Waking up in the morning, I fired up the computer, and went to Home Depot's site, looking at light strings and decorations for the house. The good news was a water-resistant outlet was beside the front stairs, so I decided on a dusk to dawn switch for the lights outside. We would need window candles for the living room and bedroom windows. After some thought, I figured on indoor timers for those and a remote for the tree itself. Christmas brings out the little girl in me!

Friday night was crazy! Hiram and Cathy went back to Cosmopolitans and draft PBRs. A good thing too, I was so busy, I only had five minutes to chat. Of course, the tips were great too!

Tip-toeing by Wendy when I got home, I fell asleep as soon as my rear hit the mattress.

Saturday was even busier, I think every member was here. Not only was it three deep at the bar, but our waitresses needed roller-skates to stay ahead of the orders. From the CCTV I could see the upstairs bar was as busy, so no help there, The three of us had to really fly, only taking one break just to eat, rather than two. I had cheese burgers from the kitchen, and ate standing up with a siphon diet Coke to drink.

All I could think about was tree-shopping on Sunday. I was so glad Jean drove, I was asleep before we got to the Neponset bridge. She gave me a nudge when we hit the Swampscott line, so I was awake enough to walk up the stairs, and take off my skirt and blouse. Thank goodness, Ian let us wear trainers, 5” heels would have crippled me!

Wendy woke me at 8:30, and I dragged myself into the shower, then to the kitchen for some coffee. If only they made a Dunkin Donuts IV!

By 11 we were ready to shop for a tree. Ellen was thrilled and insisted we take her Explorer for the extra room. When we arrived, it wasn't that busy, so tree-shopping came first. In no time Wendy found the perfect six-foot Frasier Fir. She held it while Ellen and I circled like sharks, ready to pounce.

I nudged Ellen and whispered, “This will be Wendy's first Christmas in years, no wonder she's so excited.”

I paid for the tree, and Ellen and Wendy tied it to the Explorer's roof rack. Ellen had Wendy grab a cart, and we headed for the lights and decorations. Ellen and I discussed the lights for outside, choosing three 25 light strings of those night-light sized multi-colored bulbs.

Wendy had placed five boxes of garland ropes and a tree-topper angel in the cart. I found the eight timers and seven window candles, while Ellen found boxes of beautiful ornaments.

The only decision was whether to buy those tiny lights or the same size as the outside strings. Two to one in favor of the bigger bulbs. We got six strings of 50 and ten extra bulbs. Wendy grabbed a tree base that held water, and I found a push-button remote. Ellen wanted to split the bill, but I put my foot down and said these decorations would stay in the condo, and after getting married to Pete she could either buy more or find out what he had around. All we needed was a wreath for the front door, and a few little things for inside. Ellen said she would pick up a wreath tomorrow from Walmart.

It took three trips to get everything inside. Then Ellen and Wendy brought the tree in. We decided to set the tree up in front of the window, allowing it to be seen from outside.
The lights went on first, starting from the top down. Good thing we got six strings! Next was the garland; Wendy spread out the ornaments on the couch and we took turns hanging them up. Finally it was time for the Angel, I handed her to Wendy, who started to cry. After placing her at the top of the tree, Wendy hugged me and sobbed into my shoulder saying how much that meant to her.

Ellen turned out the lights, and in the glow of the tree, we watched the football game.

Supper was delivered; Chinese food, with apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

To be continued