The gang splits up

Scott sat watching Doug and Marissa on stage, they had solid chemistry, Doug looked like he was having fun. That was a rare thing for Doug. He was always absorbed by some problem or issue he was overthinking. It was good to see him relax.

“I’m going to take Jenn home.” It was Marianne.

Scott met her eyes. “Is she okay?”

“She drank too much, but she’ll be fine.”

“You want me to come along?”

“No, I think she’d rather avoid you right now.”

“Fuck.”

She put her hand on his shoulder, “I’ll come back after I get her to bed, let Marissa know, will you?”

“Sure, and thanks for taking care of Jenn.”

“You really care about her, don’t you?”

“Yeah, we’ve been friends our entire lives.”

Marianne looked like she wanted to say something more, but she saw Jenn and ran over to help her out of the bar. Jenn didn’t look like she was doing the best and Scott wanted to go check on her, do what he could for her, but he would need to wait for her to want to talk to him again.

As she walked out the door, Scott toasted himself mockingly, “And that’s your new boss, dipshit.”

Scott was in full self-pity mode when Doug and Marissa came back.

“Jenn and Marianne still in the bathroom?” Doug asked, a bit worried.

“No, Marianne is taking Jenn home.” He looked at Marissa, “She said she’d come right back.”

Doug looked at him intently, “You okay Scott?”

“Yeah, well, I’m good enough. Anyone want more wings, it’s my turn to buy a round.”

“How about Nachos?’ Marissa offered.

“Yeah, Get the nachos Scott.”

“Alright then, nacho time.” Scott smiled and tried to **** down all his negative thoughts. He came here to have fun, and he didn’t want to ruin the vibe Doug and Marissa had going.

He got to the bar and saw a familiar face.

“Hey Martha.”

She came over, but scowled as she got close. “Scott, you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Hmm. Okay, you ordering or just saying hi?”

“Can I get three beers and an order of nachos? Oh and a Ginger ale for me.”

“Sure thing.”

He stared off into space as someone was butchering some country song he hadn’t heard, must be something new.

“Scott, you sure you are okay?” Martha asked.

“I upset Jenn, and now I feel like a jerk.

“Hm. Well, don’t beat yourself up too much, you guys always seem to work it out.”

“Yeah, it just sucks, I hurt her a lot when I left.”

“You have to care bout someone to be hurt by them Scott. She cares about you and I know you care about her. It’ll take more than one day to get back what you had, just be good to her.”

“Thanks Martha.”

“Now show me where your table is and I’ll bring your nachos out when they are done.”

Scott led Martha and the drinks back to their table.

“Hey Doug, good to see you guys together again.”

“Hey Mrs. Williams, good to see you too, you work here?”

“For a couple months now, couldn’t get my old job back after rehab.”

“And you work at a bar?” Marissa asked.

“It was for stuff way harder than what I’m serving.”

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry, that was way too personal of me.” Marissa blushed with embarrassment.

“Mom, this is Marissa, Marissa, this is Martha.”

Martha stared at Scott, a little shocked, almost looking like she was going to cry.

“Nice to meet you, and sorry for prying.”

Martha’s voice cracked, “Nice to meet you, I. . . I need to get back.”

“What just happened?” Scott asked.

“Dude, you called her ‘mom’.” Doug answered.

“Shit. I didn’t even realize it.”

“She looks too young to be your mom.” Marissa looked properly confused.

“Scott’s mom died when he was five, Martha’s his dad’s second wife. She raised Scott after his Dad ran off, they went through a lot together.”

“Oh okay.” Marissa looked curious, but restrained from asking more.

Doug’s explanation didn’t even begin to cover it. Martha had been practically a kid herself, 20 years old with no idea what she was doing and saddled with an 8-year-old kid who was determined to hate her.

Scott sat down, Doug and Marissa both watching him.

“Well, you have me at a disadvantage now Marissa, tell me something about yourself.”

Marissa was happy to indulge, and pretty quickly the mood was light again. Doug was actually talking to her, and Marissa seemed to actually like Doug.

When Marianne returned Doug and Marissa were picking another duet.

“They look to be getting along.”

“Yeah, your friend is working miracles out here.”

“I told you.”

“Yeah, you more than fulfilled your part of the bargain.”

“So I own your entire schedule now?” Marianne said, smiling.

“That was the bargain.”

“Ooh, a man of his word, I like it. But for now, I’ll settle for a song.”

“Ladies choice?”

“Obviously.”

She ran off, a bit of a bounce in her step.