Go with him

"All right" Allison replied. "I'll come in with you." She opened the door and got out. David came around to her side of the car, and took hold of her hand. "It's better if we hold hands going in," said David. "They'll think we're together, and no one will bother you. I'll get you a drink. What would you like? A rum and Coke?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine" Allison answered. "Maybe that's exactly what I need."

"Believe me; I know it is" David chimed in. He opened the door for Allison and let her enter first.

Allison looked around the bar. It seemed to be much bigger on the inside than what it appeared to be on the outside. There was a decent sized bar and dance floor with two pool tables toward the back. Tables and chairs lined the far wall, and a live band was busy setting up for a show they were going to do. "After the Rain" was written across the face of the bass drum which Allison assumed must be the name of the band. She watched them set up for a bit before one of the band members locked eyes with her. She wanted to turn away, but something wouldn't let her. He smiled at her appreciatively as he beheld her beauty. She felt flushed with embarrassment as she gave a shy smile, and looked away.

"Come on. Let's get to the bar" David said, rousing her from her reverie. He took her hand and led to the bar.

"Well, haven't seen you here in a while," said the bartender as David got his attention. "Where's that sexy little number you were with the last time? Ashley I believe her name was?"

"She had to work tonight, or she'd be with us" answered David. "This is her best friend and my friend Allison." He turned to Allison. "This is Neil. He's the owner of this place and the bartender. He's also an excellent friend."

"Pleased to meet you, Neil" Allison said politely.

"So what can I do for you two?" Neil asked.

"The lady will have one of your special rum and Cokes, and I'll have a Seven and Seven."

Neil looked sideways at David. "Coming right up!" He went to work on the two drinks and was back with them in a flash. "There you are, kids. Enjoy!"

"Oh, I'm sure we will" smiled David. "Come on. Let's find a table." Again he led Allison over to an empty table at the back of the bar, close to the pool tables. They sat down, Allison facing the pool tables and the bathrooms while David faced the bar and the front door. They wordlessly sipped their drinks for a while, until David spoke again. "Feeling better now?" he asked.

"Yes, much better. I think this was what I needed. Thank you, David. That was very sweet of you to get this for me." She wasn't aware of how much she was drinking as she started to take bigger gulps. She started to feel good, uninhibited. Then she heard the sound of drums, followed by bass rifts, then two guitars being checked. The mike screeched. "Testing! One! Two! Three!" It went on until all the levels and tuning the band was doing stopped. Then the lead singer's voice came. "Good evening everyone! We are After the Rain, and we're here to rock these walls inside out! Get ready, 'cause here we come!"

The band wasted no time as they went right into their first song. It was an old one that Allison recognized. The Ramones once did a cover of it, but the original was by The Chamers Brothers."Time" was the name of the song, and they were putting a lot of energy into it. The dance floor came to life as people got up and began to dance. Some even sang along with the band when the lead singer got to the word "Time!" in the lyrics. Allison looked over at David, and smiled. "Come on, let's go dance!"