Intermission - Drinking loosens lips (Part 1).

When was the last time the bar in Diana’s living room saw actual use beyond storing liquors? When Oliver and the others came over, they made too big a group to bother. The counter was so small it could only seat two people, and when Maria came over, they just sat on the couch and ranted at each other. This time, however… Diana wanted to make a good impression. Childish, maybe, but Holly Brooks made her feel like a child. She was her boyfriend’s mother, yes, but she also exuded an aura that commanded respect somehow. Confidence is what it was.

“I’ll have a highball tonight,” Maria cheerfully requested from her seat at the counter.

Beside her, Holly smiled calmly. “You promised to make me a real gin fizz, right?”

“I did, and I will if that’s what you want,” Diana said confidently, standing ready behind the counter. She remembered the gin fizz was Holly’s favorite drink and had prepared beforehand. She was going to blow her mind.

“I do. A gin fizz, please.”

Maria’s highball was easy, but Diana still prepared it carefully. She poured ice into a high glass, stirred it with a long spoon to chill the glass and poured out the bit that melted. She then poured some good whiskey and topped it with soda water before stirring again, this time more gently.

“Hahaha, I never get tired of watching you do this,” Maria said. “I just throw it all in a glass and call it a day.”

“You can certainly tell there’s expertise here,” Holly said. Diana was happy to notice the impressed tone in her voice, though she didn’t let it show. Actually, it just didn’t show. Poker face and all that. “Even stirring the ice looked like a practiced skill. Though I suppose it is.”

“The bar I worked at went for a very elegant, quiet style. They were very particular about how to make and serve the cocktails. That style of professionalism agrees with me.”

Next, Holly’s gin fizz. It’s generally a drink that most bartenders hate because it takes a lot of work. At least, if you’re making a good one. Diana had an idea.

She poured gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and an egg white into a shaker. First she shook it dry, meaning with no ice. Then she added the ice and shook it for a lot longer, about a full minute or more. Maria and Holly watched her as if waiting for her to stop at any moment. She then poured it into a Collins glass through a strainer and slid it towards Holly.

“Here. A basic gin fizz.”

“Basic? This already looks better than what I used to have…” Holly said, eyeing the glass with amusement.

“I’ve been to many bars around town. Cocktail culture isn’t very advanced here.”

“That’s true,” Holly admitted with a chuckle. “Most just want to get drunk.”

“And what are you having?” Maria asked Diana.

Normally she wouldn’t drink if she was serving other people, but… Yeah, she needed something if she was going to hang out with Oliver’s mother.

“Just some scotch.”

Diana poured herself her own drink and sat on a stool across the two other women. They made a simple toast and took their first sip of the night.

“Oh my God,” Holly exclaimed, looking at her glass in shock. “This is so good! What did you do?”

“Many small details, but the main thing is shaking it well and for a long time. Bartenders hate the gin fizz because it takes a long time to make, especially if the place is full and you have seven more orders coming up.”

“Ah, so that’s why they shot me those glares when I ordered one…” Holly mused.

Just then Diana’s dog came into the living room, apparently having already finished his dinner. He went directly to his chair and jumped on it.

“My, that’s a tough-looking dog,” Holly said, chuckling.

“And he’s a huge baby most of the time. I’ll take him outside if it bothers you.”

“No, it’s fine. I like animals. Actually, I’ve been giving it some thought.” Holly sighed and drank from her glass before continuing. “Oliver will be moving out soon. That’s bad enough, but he’ll need to take Cake with him.”

“Your cat, right?” Maria asked. ”Will he really take her?”

“He has to. That cat adores him. If he leaves her behind I fear Cake will fall into a depression.”

“That’s likely…” Diana said with a wry smile. “You’ll miss him, won’t you?”

“More than anything,” Holly easily admitted. “For a while I fully believed Isabelle would be the one moving out first and Oliver would stay with me, for… I don’t know how long. Now things are looking exactly the opposite,” she said, chuckling and drinking. “So I’ve been thinking that maybe we could have another pet, perhaps a dog. Or maybe two so they can play with each other.”

“A friend of mine has a pregnant husky,” Maria said. “If you make up your mind, she’s putting them up for adoption.”

“I’ll give it some thought.” Holly then smiled warmly at Maria. “And now that we’re here, let me thank you for taking care of Oliver all this time. I doubt he’s said anything to you, but he’s grateful for the opportunity you gave him. He’s grown a lot thanks to you.”

Maria’s cheeks went red. Diana had to hide her smirk behind her glass.

“P-Please, I didn’t do anything. Didn’t HAVE to do anything, even. Oliver was bad at first, but he **** himself to get better at the job, every aspect of it. I just watched him and he was doing better every new shift. It was kinda crazy.”

“Yes it was,” Holly said, now with a more nostalgic smile. “He was spending all his time in his room, away from everyone. Then suddenly I blink and he’s making breakfast every morning for us, going out more, inviting friends over, being surrounded by girls…” She bit her smiling lip. “Kid grew without me realizing it, without me there to help him.”

Diana was taken aback, and by the looks of it so was Maria.

“Tsk. I’m sorry, this is part of why I stopped drinking as much…” she said, chuckling and shaking her head. It took Diana another look to realize Holly’s glass was almost empty. It hadn't been five minutes… “Don’t worry, I won’t vent to you.”

Diana swallowed. “If you want to, I don’t mind.”

Holly laughed. “What, vent to my son’s girlfriend? So you can tell him later that his mom is sad to see him leave and make him feel guilty? Well, shit, I already said it…”

That cleared the air again. The three women laughed together.

“Forget it, forget it. But you know… I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. Curiosity’s got the better of me. How are things going between you and Oliver? Don’t be afraid to tell me. I want to know.”

Well.

Time to pour herself another glass of scotch.

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