Melodrama in blue 6

The girl of the night is counting up her suitors as Mattie stares at her hands, tracing the varnished wood with her broken fingertips. This winter cold and dryness have not been kind to her skin. The smoke has gotten so thick that her eyes are watering, and the tears have just begun to sting. She glances over at the barback, who is peering from underneath the locks of his hair at the girl of the night. Isobel is on tonight, which means they won’t be leaving for a good, long while. This is how it works, these nights out. Issy had called her at about eight, sad and frustrated at the state of the world, as usual. She needed “girl time,” she had said. Wasn’t that the wording? “Girl time” means dinner and conversation, which is always full, then off to a bar, where Issy is to ward off admirers, take numbers, and wait for the barback to approach her. Mattie stands with her friends and waits. When she deviates and actually enjoys herself, she never hears the end of it. Issy doesn’t mean to tease so unrelentlessly. She thinks Mattie enjoys it. Everyone likes attention, right? The morning after is the fun part, as it is. They get together for brunch, compare notes and phone numbers and giggle as high schoolers would. This is why Mattie isn’t complaining about the smoke or atmosphere. So, tonight nothing is going on. Last week, she had been making out with an adorable tattooed boy who had insisted on getting her number, then never proceeded to call. Why buy the milk, she supposed, as she ordered another beer from the barback.

“Your friend seems busy tonight.” Huh. The barback never talks to her, just Issy.

“ Yep. She comes here for you. She thinks you’re adorable.”

His features take on that look of manipulative dismissal.

“ Oh, yeah? Huh. That’s cool.” He steals another glance at her, catching her eye this time. He returns his look to Mattie.

“What do you need? It’s on me if it’s beer”

“Corona is great, thanks.”

Mattie throws a couple of dollars down on the bar. There are few places in the city she doesn’t drink free in with Isobel around. It kicks her a little that she is always the recipient of pity beer. She takes her place three feet away from the supernova and watches the television screen. It had been playing Lord of the rings, but was now some gritty, bad porn. Gotta love the punk rock bars. She turns her head to check in with her friend. She’s still at it. She is somehow entertaining four guys at the same time, each one staring at her as though she is celestial. Isn’t she? She’s probably talking to them about inspiration and drive. She’s probably convincing each of them to harness their inner passion and take on the world. She’s on fire tonight. She turns to catch Mattie’s eye, acknowledging the protective check. As though she needs it. The suitors all notice, and smile to her now. She takes a swig from her pity beer and snarls. Issy loves when she does that. They always laugh about that moment the next day. As expected, the suitors take their cue, write down their numbers, and peel off, one by one. Isobel turns to her.

“Nice work! You amaze me. Thank you.”

“Were you okay? You seemed fine.”

“Yeah, they were all sweet. How funny. I just wish my boyfriend would talk to me.”

“ The barback? Yeah, he gave me a free beer. I told him that you come here for him.”

“ No! I’m so embarassed. As if it’s not true. Look at him.” He’s charming some young thing at the bar. He looks up and meets Issy’s gaze, as always. “He’s so adorable. Not very bright, but adorable! He gave you free beer? What do you think? “

“It was pity beer. We were talking about you.”

“Come on, Matt.” She gives the look of “You were talking about me?”

“Who wants the girl with the most cake? He doesn’t give me free beer. He hardly puts two words together for me, damn it. You should go there, and give me details!”

“Whatever, Issy. He’s your toy, not mine.” Her focus has shifted to his constant gaze.

“ I’m sorry, honey, he’s not your type, I know that. He’s just so adorable.”

“He likes you.”

“ He grabs my ass every time he passes, and I let this for some unknown reason, but he stonewalls me every time I try to talk to him. He doesn’t like me, he thinks I’m hot.”

“Maybe he’s intimidated.”

“I’ve worked in loads of bars. I know the drill.” She takes on that look of experience which is always tinged with a tone of sadness.

“ Give him your number.” She laughs.

“I did! Last week. I told him to drop it in his bucket. I’m such an asshole!”

Mattie turns and notices the next wave of suitors lining up, waiting for a break in conversation.

“Issy, you’ve got a crowd behind you.”

She turns, smiles affably, turns back to Mattie and kisses her full on the lips. Mattie laughs as they leave, and her heart breaks.