ITS WRITE ON WEDNESDAY!!!

Today's journey into the life of a Shimmer patron is from the lovely Jelena from Confessions of a Twiholic.  Not only is she my wonderful Serbian friend, she is a beautiful writer and person.  She asked that I note that she did not have a chance to have this proofed for grammar errors before sending it to me.  However, since English is her SECOND language and she writes so beautifully in it, I think we can all give her some slack!  

She could hardly recognize the person staring back at her from the mirror. Although all colour was drained from her heart shaped face, and her eyes were puffy, there seemed to be a faint glow around her features. It was hard to fathom that at this particular moment of her life she would be anything but looking broken. No matter how irrational it might have seemed, she knew that she had made the right decision. Starting ten days ago up until this afternoon she had been on autopilot, but not now. Now, she was getting ready to go out.
The last time she had seen an inside of a nightclub was when go-go boots were still in fashion. One might expect that she would have changed at least fifteen outfits before settling on a knee high royal blue dress and red flats, but that wasn't the case. Georgia knew what her attire would be since the early afternoon. It was Michael's favourite – simple, yet classy.
If this was any other night she would be worried about standing out. She would be concerned that her clothes would betray her true age, instantly marking her as the intruder. None of that mattered to her anymore, and it never would. Everything paled in comparison to the fate that befall her, which is why she locked the door out of habit rather than to protect her property.  

It was a warm June night, and Georgia took her time walking to “Shimmer”, a nightclub three blocks away. If she had been embarking on this journey two weeks ago, she would have been a host to a group of rather lively butterflies in her stomach. Petrified, she would have reassured herself, trying not to think about the very likely possibility that she'd be on a receiving end of multiple stink eyes. By the time she would have reached the club, her legs would've been shaking, and her whole body trembling. Tonight, though, she didn't so much as flinch when she saw a small line up in front of “Shimmer”. Calmly, she took her spot behind a group of young people that she estimated were in their early twenties. They talked and laughed not paying any attention to her. Her old self would sigh with relief, but this new, broken Georgia blatantly stared at the two guys in front of her making out. Jolted by a memory, the excruciating, pulsating pain threatened to override the brain’s self imposed numbness, just as the bouncer waved them in.

Not having a coat to check, absentmindedly, she went straight for the bar, grabbing the first available stool. She had been waiting for this moment ever since the service this afternoon.

“Tequila!” She yelled in the bartender’s ear as she thought about the moment that led her to here. Earlier today, when the priest was talking about Michael’s love for life, and the joy that he spread to everyone who got to meet him, Georgia suddenly remembered having seen a flier saying that tonight way gay and lesbian night at “Shimmer”. Instantly, she knew that was Michael’s doing. He wanted her to be here. Georgia quivered for a brief second while tequila slid down her throat.
“Another!”

Three very quick tequila shots later, Georgia finally turned her head toward the dance floor. There was nothing out of the ordinary – just kids in a night club enjoying their Thursday night. Is this what Michael wanted her to see? While watching these kids dance was as soothing as staring at an aquarium, deep down, Georgia knew that there had to be another reason why Michael wanted her here.

Two more shots later, Georgia still hadn’t noticed anything remotely similar to a sign from Michael. Although she wanted to be patient, she was starting to feel the frustration nibble her insides.

No! She wouldn’t lose the faith. Abruptly, she got off the chair and started making her way to the washroom. It was only then that she realized the alcohol had, after all, affected her senses. She felt like she was walking on clouds, and very light headed. Suddenly, probably due to the same culprit, her throat started rapidly feeling up with tears. She increased her pace, rushing to get to the safety of a stall where she could have this involuntary breakdown. But Georgia’s sob was cut off as soon as she entered the spacious blue tiled interior of the club’s bathroom. It wasn’t because it was unisex, but because there was a young man sitting on the floor.

“Are you alright?” Georgia asked, and the young man shook his head.

“I think I had a little too much to drink.” His lip curved into a weak, crooked smile.

Georgia grabbed a couple of paper towels and drenched them with water.

“Here”, she wiped his cheeks and forehead with the towels. “Does that feel better?”

He nodded, but a second later he spilled the contents of his stomach all over the “Shimmer’s” bathroom floor.

“Oh, lord.” Georgia crouched next to the poor guy. “Come, let’s get you out of here.” She helped him up. “Fresh air will do you good.” The man complied as Georgia practically carried him out of the club. Once they were away from the flashing lights and the loud music, the guy already had some colour return to his face. Georgia led him over to the nearby bench. As he sat with his head buried in his hands, Georgia puffed a big sigh.

“Is this why you told me to come here Michael?” Sure, rescuing a guy from his own vomit was a good deed, but surely someone else would’ve done just as good a job as her.

“My name is Sam.”

“I’m sorry?” Georgia turned toward the youngster.

“It’s not Michael, it’s Sam.”

“Oh, I know.” A lone tear slid down Georgia’s cheek. The others were there, waiting, but Georgia wouldn’t allow them to come streaming; not just yet. Exasperated, she sat on the bench next to Sam. “Michael is my son. I buried him today.”

“Oh.” Surprisingly, there was no more trace of drunkenness in Sam’s wide staring eyes. Georgia’s words instantly sobered him. “I am so sorry.”

“Thank you.” She swallowed. Not yet.

“May I ask, how he died?”

“He was killed in Iraq ten days ago.”

“Oh no.”

“I’ll say. I was always, so proud of him.” The tears, now, prickled her eyes, and one by one, like pearls, they started dropping down her face. “My boy.”

“So, how come you’re here tonight?” Sam fought not to let his voice crack.

“It’s silly really,” Georgia laughed through the tears. “At the funeral today, I suddenly remembered seeing a flier that there was a gay party here tonight. I live a few blocks away. Michael, my boy, he’d come here sometimes.” Georgia stared in the distance at the empty street. “Anyway, I thought he had sent me a message, that there was something here I needed to see or do, but all I found was you.” Now, Georgia’s eyes turned to Sam and she smiled a sad smile.

“And you have found me.” He almost whispered.

“I’m sorry?” Georgia blinked a couple of times trying to understand what he meant.

“I think I met your son once.”
”You... you did?” Georgia’s eyes widened.

“In fact, we met here, at Shimmer last summer when he was on leave. There was just something about him that I’ve never felt around anyone else. We spent the night together.” Warily, Sam looked at Georgia but she still stared at him in that same disbelief. “He sent me a letter from Iraq. I still read it sometimes. Everyone I met after him just made me want to see him again even more. And now, he’s dead.” Sam clenched his jaw, swallowing. 

Thank you, Jelly Baby.   That was beautiful.  Next week we have the lovely writing from my Twin from another mother!  

StarlitViolets from Violet Delights

http://starlitviolets.blogspot.com

 

 

 Write On Wednesday is every Wednesday here on Tigerlily's Tirade.  Every week, I post a new short story.  The stories stand on their own, but all must take place at or partly at the night club Shimmer.  Beyond that, the sky is the limit!  For more details click on the button at the top of this Blog!  If you would like to contirbute your own story about Shimmer (the night club) and its patrons, email me at tigerlilyrose7@gmail.com !!!