Chereads / Before the Lights Fade / Chapter 4 - Joeys Pub

Chapter 4 - Joeys Pub

The noon air was filling the now empty Bar. Joeys was pretty clean now. As he ran a rag over the last table. Grabbed up his bucket with dishes and put them in the sink behind the bar. He ran a rag over the bar. The last occupant has left for the day. They wouldn't reopen til four. Joseph was feeling happy about how this bar was turning out. It was becoming successful thanks to Dana a local bartender he had as manager under him.

His new investor the York family would be proud enough to keep them on their payroll. She could bring in people and keep the Benjamin's rolling. He had wanted to institute some new stuff in the bar like a card table and a new pool table. He had the room for it and almost enough to cover it.

A brown haired girl with braids all the way to her back and tan skin smiled at him as he looked out. She came through the door and sat down at the bar.

"We're closed Gianna", he joked with her. He came in front of her and spoke, "go take your fine ass somewhere else",

He looked into her eyes smiling. She reached and kissed his cheek. He smiled and spoke.

What's up baby"? Asked Joey. He rubbed a hand on his bald head his blue eyes glimmered as he leaned against the bar.

"Hey joey I wanted to invite you to my little party in a couple days", he came round the bar and sat next to her.

"sweet I'll see if I can". Maybe I can get Naomi or Mona to watch the bar".

"Sounds good". Said Gianna. "I'll be glad to see you there If you decide to come. What happened over there Joey"? She pointed to a spot on the wall where paint was on the wall. He sighed and shook his head.

"I know, Jerrica came and sprayed the wall. She's into graffiti discovering new things. She got a bit drunk last night and well my wall. I grabbed the paint before she got too crazy but she's a goofball, she says she wants to make her mark".

Gianna laughed and sighed. "Well that girl is something crazy". She headed to the door. "Hit me up, if you come I'll be waiting in my dancing shoes".

He nodded as she left.

Meanwhile..

Deciding his place was a bit small Han takes his brother to a friends to stay. Dana King and her husband Timotheus are gracious about the idea.

Tom walked into the living room where Han was already sitting. he smiled looking at him and spoke.

"So i have it all set up,"said Han, "I don't have enough room at my place for you but the King family have decided they will let you stay here". Tom nodded. He loved that their was a bar that separated the kitchen and the living room.  The place was actually pretty nice.

"Ok so we have a bathroom downstairs that doesn't work so you will have to use the upstairs one ok", said Dana. She pointed to the stairs where she just had come down from which was five steps. "

"Come this way to the basement".

She rounded the steps and Tom followed her down six carpeted steps to the carpeted basement.

A laundry room was on the right the door was open he saw a washer dryer and to the right the beginning of the upstairs concrete floor and wood covering it to the roof.

She pointed to a door on the left wall and said that is the busted bathroom".

the door to the bathrooms right on the same wall she opened to reveal a room. A bed was against the wall where a window was half way up the wall. A fish tank sat in front of the bed and on the right was a closet.

"It's not much but I think it could be home. So what do you think"? Asked Dana.

It's perfect. Said Tom. He hugged her and she smiled.

"It's fine go ahead grab your stuff". He went back upstairs to the front door in front of the upstairs and grabbed his suitcase.

"So what do you think bro"? Han walked with him downstairs and came to the door. Tom poured his suitcase onto the bed.

"It's a nice room" said Han. Tom nodded.

"Very",said Tom sounding a bit disappointed. Han looked at the closet space and grabbed out some hangers.

Here he said. "For the clothes. You have a nice set up here",

Sweet digs" came a voice. A brown haired boy with grey eyes looked at him.

"Tom this is James Parker. Everyone calls him Jean".

He reached a hand out and Tom shook it. "Hey dude. Thanks".

"Yeah so bro we got a card tournament going on tomorrow upstairs. I have an extra deck of Magic cards bro"?

"Your asking me to come play magic the gathering"? Asked Tom.

Dude it would be so Rad". Since ya gonna be living here an all why not right? so tomorrow at noon bro here upstairs in the living room", said Jean.

"Ok dude. I'll drop by",

"Sweet Holmes he looked at Han and put his elbow back and pointed his other arm forward. "My bro".

Han smiled and grabbed jeans hand and brought him in for a half hug.

"See ya both tomorrow". Said Jean.

"He smokes a bit of pot" said Han voice lowered.

"Han I honestly I'm", he smiled and Han shook his head.

It's not you is it"? Look if you want to come back to the crib?

"It's actually perfect", said Tom. Just come by once In a While yeah"?

"Oh for sure brother. I'm not leaving ya here to forget you", said Han. "Just got ya back on my team".