Moonshines

I glance over at the heap next to me.

It groans.

I sigh, and wave the bartender over.

Yes?

Can you do something about him?

Sorry, Miss, but moonshine is an experience some just can’t resist. He’ll be up in a day or so. More?

I check my nearly empty pockets.

Yeah, as much as I can get with a dollar fifty.

He squints at the sweaty cash I offer up.

That’s not much.

I know. I can’t take much more anyway. Promised Bae I’d turn straight.

He grins.

Here’s to breaking promises. On the house, kid.

The good stuff?

You sure you could hold it? You look a little green.

It’s just this nasty lighting. Trust me, this is one of my better talents.

He snorts.

I hope so.

As he hustles away, Lump, as I have christened it, starts moving again. I edge away a little, hoping to stay out of its line of sight. You never know what the strong stuff could have done. When it’s hood falls back a little, I see that I was mistaken. (I can hear my “Mother’s” echoing voice in my head- “did you just assume my gender?”) the mess beside me is, in fact, a young girl, about of zit age, her head lolling. Must have gotten dumped or something, to spend enough to get this lunar. She groans, then begins to speak.

Alyssandra? Why are you here…

Is she talking to me?

Kid, I’m not your friend. Look, do you need a cell? You look like you could use a ride home.

Alyssandra, please, I didn’t mean it. You know I didn’t…

Oh no. not this again. Honestly, I am so fed up about getting confused with other people. If it happened more often than it already does, I might just order my moonlight on Amazon to use in the privacy of my own flat, to hey what Marke thinks.

Please, it’s alright, if that’s what you want, but don’t leave!

Sigh.

I head for the door, not going to wait another second for the bartender to come back. On the house is always the cheap stuff, anyway.

NOOOO!

The kid caterwauls, and jumps between me and the door.

You can’t leave yet! I have to explain!

Look, I’m not you’re friend, and I’ve really got to go-

YOU WILL STAY.

She is suddenly striking a very imposing figure.

Yeah, okay, sure, I mean, I’ve got time- yeah, uh, whatever you say, kid.

Just then, the bartender waddles in with a mug full of cheap (what did I say?) moonlight. He quickly observes the situation, and deciding he is not needed, waddles right back where he came from.

Traitor.

He is no doubt calling the fuzz now.

Just going to have to stall. I sit down at the high table, waiting for the girl to continue what she’s started. She hiccups once.

Alyssandra, I’m really sorry, but I don’t want to go out with you.

Ohhhhkay.

The Madre would kill if she found out I was gay.

Ohohohohohohkay.

But if that’s what you want, that’s okay. I just, acted rashly. And the… well, I’ll just tell the judges it was… self defense.

What? Ohhhhhhhh no.

But what can I say? Besides, it was your fault. I mean, you tackled me. What was I supposed to do? And you… you…

Ohhhh no. this is bad stuff to get mixed up in. I mean, for kids it’s alright, but a middle aged like me could get in bad business with this stuff.

Well, let me tell you.

She had a dangerous glint in her eye.

Moon Madness.

This time I’ll finish the job.

She lunged at me, a sharp silver glitter in her fist.

Luckily, she was clumsy as hey, so she missed me completely.

Or did she?

Look down.

Look

Up

Breathe

Fall

Ing

Down

On

Me

And

This

Is

Now

.