Havana 59

As I got to the little nightclub on the river (Havana 59) I noticed the tables were filling up. There was the ‘30 something’ group loudly celebrating a friend’s birthday, about 20 people. The writing club, more conservative, about 6 people, and then the tables for two.

As the fake palm tree lit up with green lights, the music blaring cheerfully, the clinking of glasses, our waitress took our order. Everyone finally made a decision and before we started reading our work we relaxed and had a drink.

As I looked around, I saw a couple at the next table sitting there silently. They looked so serious and made a special point not to look at each other. I was sitting pretty close so I could hear their conversation when he finally got up.

“Cheer up Chris. This is supposed to be a celebration. I’m finally home now.”

As Joe limped to the bar to get his girl a special drink, she stared glumly at the birthday party at the next table. She was just about their age but Joe’s being away really aged her.

Her cell phone rang and she quickly took the call. It was John.

“So how’s the celebration going? Did he ask yet?”

“No. He seems to have a hard time talking to me – he’s really changed since he’s been away. It’s like he’s afraid I’ll get too close to him.”

“Sorry Chris. You know how I feel about you. Just say the word and I’ll be there.”

As John hung up, Chris couldn’t help but feel guilty. She loved John but not the way she loved Joe. She should have pushed John away a long time ago but she couldn’t do without him.

Joe had been away at war for two years. Chris got lonely and turned to John. The worst part was that Joe and John were best friends. They had grown up together.

When Joe returned with her tropical drink – little umbrella and all – he kissed her cheek as he handed it to her. Instead of sitting, he went down on one knee.

“Chris, I know I’ve been kind of distant but I see the way John looks at you. I’ve been away for two years so I guess it could be real easy to lean on someone else. I love you both.”

“Joe, I love John as a friend but you’re the only one for me.”

With a tear in his eye, Joe proposed, “Chris, be my wife. Say yes.”

At that moment all thoughts of John went out of Chris’s head. She knew what she wanted.

“Yes Joe. I really love you.”

The formerly glum young couple were now grinning ear to ear and looking into each other’s eyes. The moon shone on their table in honor of the occasion.

I immediately snapped back to reality when I heard, “OK, let’s read our gothic stories.”