Mr.No-Show
It was a frosty night in December and Garrett Hawke had a date.
He’d met a guy at a thing for school and was meeting him here, in the cold on this stupid bench.
This guy was a smooth talking Blond, who’d made a bunch of jokes and had a cute accent.
Spanish maybe?
It didn’t matter, because he wasn’t here, and he was likely not coming.
After about half an hour of waiting he was growing impatient.
Garrett checked his phone again,
“No new Messages”.
He placed it back in his pocket and walked over to the bench where they’d planned to meet.
It was cold, a mid December kind of cold and it wasn't fair that he’d been forced to walk all the way out to this spot for nothing.
“Damn it!” He said out loud as he sat on the frigid bench.
“If you weren’t going to come, you could have at least stood me up somewhere warm, jerk.”
The frost had settled on the grass under the bench and it crunched when he shifted his feet.
He leaned back and looked up at the stars, the frozen air had made them seem larger and clearer some how. He thought back to his high school chemistry class and how refraction made this effect, or was it reflection?
He could never remember.
There was a streetlight about 8ish feet away and it made this whole pathetic scene lonelier somehow.
“Look at you Garrett, waiting alone in a park on a bench with one lonely street lamp. You’re such a walking cliche”
ding
Garrett eagerly pulled out his phone hating himself a little for hoping for a message as to why his date was awol.
10:39 PM
From: 336699-1
Body:
“The Hanged Man Bar and Grill Invites you To Karaoke Night!”
He put his phone back into his pocket and sighed audibly.
“Well, I’m leaving. Sorry Mr.No-Show, but you missed out”
He stood to leave dusted himself off and headed back to the path that led home.
Normally he’d put in his earphones but he’d forgotten them at home.
He’d neglected to go back for them because this was supposed to be a date night so he’d thought he’d be okay without.
He was wearing a black canvas coat and red shirt with black denim jeans.
So he blended in well with the night.
He kept a brisk pace as he turned the corner to a small hole-in-the wall cafe he’d seen but never been to.
There was a short line to the counter but it was warm inside so he was happy.
When it was finally his turn he ordered a latte and a small caprese panini.
He checked his phone again, nothing.
This place was cute, it was a small cafe, with goldenrod walls and green trim.
There was a small cluster of tables and each with a small wooden chair.
On the back wall was a large book shelf with a sign that encouraged borrowing while you stayed.
Garrett finished his meal while playing on his phone then stood to leave tossing a 5 on the table.
While he wasn’t certain if this was a tipping place, but he did it anyway to be sure.
He headed to the door and zipped his coat before walking back into the cold.
It was close to midnight now and he was tired.
Digging in his pocket for his headphones he laughed remembering he'd forgotten them.
After he left walking toward the bus stop he passed a few couples arm in arm, and a phone booth.
“Who uses those anymore?” he wondered aloud as he walked.
Nearing the corner there was a street musician, he stopped and listened for while.
The guitar player was a cute girl, with a weird haircut and tattoos on her face.
She had a stickers on her guitar, SAVE THE WHALES and VEGAN.
He listened while she played a song about how an evil wolf sealed away the gods tricking them or something.
Her voice wasn’t great but she seemed to believe her words.
When she was done she smiled “You’ve been here a while, did you like my song? I’m Merril By the way.” From her accent she sounded Welsh.
“Yeah, you’re good.” He said being polite.
“I play here a lot you know” She said “No one really listens, I used to be in a band. I was back up vocalist. The lead wasn’t really into my style of music.” she looked sad but continued on with her story.
“So, I went out on my own, I still sing some of the old songs though.”
She perked up a bit “So, here I am.”
Leaning over she lifted a large canvas guitar case and dusted it off.
Placing her guitar inside and throwing the straps over her chest.
Garrett smiled “are you packing up? I’m out for a stroll and could use the company.
Seeming pleased for the invitation she smiled “I’d like that, yes.”
“So, Garrett? What has you out here in the cold?”
“I had a date” he shrugged “but he bailed”
“Men can be cruel” Merrill sighed “Well I’m glad to have met you”
“He? Are you gay? Oh- that’s rude, you’re not supposed to ask that are you?”
“I’m not sure how to talk sometimes, I tend to ramble.”
She said making an awkward expression.
Garrett laughed, “It’s alright, yes. I am.”
“Oh that’s nice, well I’m sure you’ll meet a great guy one day. You're very handsome.”
They walked for a bit and reached Merrill’s bus stop.
She sat and smiled at Garrett who took a seat next to her.
“I’m sorry, if this is weird but I have a show on the 17th. I’d like to invite you. If that’s okay?”
She took a flier from the front zipper pocket of her guitar case and handed it to him.
Taking it from her, he looked it over.
It was bright yellow with a black image of a crow flying out of a broken mirror
LIVE!!! Saturday, December 17th at The Docks
The Antivan Crows
with
Merrill (Formerly of The Dales)
Justice and The Rebel Mages
Speed Griffon
Doors open at 7
15 door 10 w/Flier
“Just say my name at the door and I’ll get the tally” she said meekly
“Don’t worry Merrill, I’ll be there.” Garrett said with a smile as the bus pulled up
“I’ve got to go, last run I can’t miss it!” She hugged him and flitted off to board.
Garrett stood alone again and began the trek back home.
“This should be fun, I haven’t been to a show in years.