DAVE paused at the bar entrance and unfaded. He’d decided to follow Reese’s suggestion and check out the gang at the pub. Just for a beer or two, and if he didn’t feel welcome, he’d just go back home and rest. At any rate, he’d been popping pain killers to help fight the headaches, and didn’t think they would mix well with alcohol. He’d faded on his walk to the pub, just so people didn’t stop him to chat—it was getting to be automatic now.
When he walked in he realized most of the town was there already. Every table was full, and a live band was playing at the other end. Nothing fancy, just classic rock and roll, but the small dance floor was packed. He glimpsed JB through the crowd at the bar, rushing back and forth as she served drinks. He tried to catch her eye but didn’t succeed.
“Dave! Over here!” Reese waved from a table right in the middle of it all, birthday central, with streamers dangling down and helium balloons tied to the chair backs. Rosie had a silly hat on his head, a beer in each hand, and a big grin on his face. He looked slightly tipsy, but very happy. Dave recognized a few in the crowd around the table too, besides Rosie and Reese. Mike was there, from the mill, and that George guy he’d met the first day. And JB’s grandfather, the chief.
He nodded to the others and held out his hand to Rosie. “Happy Birthday, sir.”
“Sir?” said Rosie. “Now I do feel old, thanks. It’s just Rosie, especially with you off duty. Relax, will you?”
“Sorry Rosie,” said Dave. “Not used to relaxing lately, been pretty busy.”
“Good to see you dropping by,” said Rosie. “I think the mayor has been playing you lately, as well as putting his own spin on things. I’ve been trying to convince people to give you a chance. We’ll fight back, and fight fire with alcohol. Have a seat, grab a beer. Oops, we’re out again, how did that happen?”
“My treat,” said Dave. Once he got to the bar people pulled back and let him through, acting as if he wasn’t there.
JB nodded to him. “Haven’t seen you in a while, you must be keeping busy.”
“Yes, a lot to the job,” he said. “But busy is good, keeps me from worrying too much.”
She looked concerned. “Still have those headaches?”
“Yes, and the dreams.” He paused. “I miss our talks too.”
She smiled. “So do I. Nice to see you relaxing in here, especially when it’s with Rosie and his crowd. Another pitcher for them?” She started pouring. “They’re good people. We should talk some more, too. I’m concerned about some things. Things in town, things about you. I’m sorry, we’re really busy tonight, but I will give you a call.” She handed him the pitcher. “Here you go. Give the birthday boy a hug from me.”
And with that she was off to the other end of the bar, chattering to all as she went. Dave carried the jug back, managed to find a chair, and poured beer all around. He passed on the birthday greetings, but not the hug. He sat and drank, watching the crowd, trying to ignore the increasing pressure in his head. It seemed everyone in there knew Rosie, and were making a point of dropping by to give him their best wishes. Many also had a few words with the group about town matters: jobs, schools, stores, tourist season, petty crimes. It looked like these were part of an informal town council. Dave got a few nods too, probably because he was sitting with Rosie, and a few even talked with him briefly. The two elders kept looking at Dave, and muttering to each other. He was about to ask them what was wrong, when he heard his name called.
“Corporal! Hey!” Barretto was sitting with a group a few tables over. Probably all from his security crew from the mill, as they all had that same sort of tough look. Dave poured himself a second glass before walking over.
This group had been celebrating for a while too, as their table was covered in empty quart bottles and shot glasses. Barretto smiled. “Guys. You all know my friend Corporal Browne, the new detachment chief. Corporal, some of my boys, Frank, Jake, Steve. The Corporal and I have been working closely to keep this town safe, right Dave?”
“Actually, the town is my turf,” said Dave. “But I do appreciate the work you people do in the mill.”
Frank Risso scowled at him. “We have real issues there,” he said. “Not your petty little things, like speeding tickets and lost kittens. It’s a big operation, complicated. We need to enforce the rules so nobody gets hurt, or killed.”
“Now, now, calm down,” said Barretto. He laid a hand of Frank’s shoulder.
Dave just looked at Frank, wondering what triggered this off.
“Who’s side are you on, anyway,” said Frank. He shrugged Barretto’s hand off. “This guy’s up here for a year. Big guy from the big city, thinks he can come on here and show us what to do. Probably messed up somewhere else, and we’re stuck with him because he’s a loser.”
Dave felt himself getting angry as Frank went on and on. He’d met lots of blow-hards like Risso before, but they were just annoying, like a fly. Usually he would just ignore them, but for some reason he felt a rage building inside, and had an urge to actually swat the little pest. He took a breath and tried to calm down, as he didn’t want to lose his cool in front of everyone.
“I think maybe you’ve had a little too much buddy,” said Tony. “Sit down and shut up.” He gave Dave an embarrassed smile.
“Don’t tell me what to do,” said Risso. “You’re always bossing me around. Just like this cop here. And the rest of his crew are just as useless—some young kid and a dumb broad—he’s just here to babysit them.”
Dave felt the rage building inside him again, his breath quickening, muscles tensing. He stepped closer to Frank. “Watch it,” he said.
“Make me,” said Frank, as he poked Dave in the chest with a finger.
That was it. With a surge of adrenaline and a growl Dave threw himself at Frank.
***
The next thing he knew, he was on the floor, shoulders pinned by Junior, and with Mike and Barretto piled on too. Even JB had hold of him, grabbing one of his hands. Her touch felt soothing.
“Breathe, Dave,” she said. “Slow down.”
“Dave, can you hear me?” said Mike. “Can you hear me now?”
Dave nodded. “What happened?”
“You flipped out, that’s what happened,” said Mike. “Junior here had to wrestle you down. Are you all right now? Can we let you up?”
Dave nodded. As he stood he noticed the once noisy bar was hushed. The band was quiet, and everyone was looking at him. “Sorry Mike, that’s never happened to me before. That Frank guy that was hassling me—where is he?”
“Over there,” said Mike. “You let out an unearthly roar and then threw him right over that table. You’re a lot stronger than you look. Took the three of us to wrestle you to the floor. Pretty scary.”
Dave didn’t remember that part, after Frank had prodded him in the chest everything was a blank. “How is he?”
“He’ll survive,” said Reese. “He landed on a couple of these flimsy chairs. Broke his fall, and some of them.”
“We all saw him going after you,” said Mike. “He’s like that whenever he has a few drinks, gets in people’s faces.” Mike looked around. “Look, I know you guys are trained to stop bar fights, and we all know he deserved it, but … I guess I was surprised. You moved so fast and you had this freaky look on your face. And then you tossed Frank like he was a 10 year-old. JB here was ready to phone the cops, but you were all here already.”
“Except Norris,” said Reese. “She’s on call, but the call would have gone in through dispatch back at headquarters.”
That was a relief. Dave didn’t need yet another fight on his record. “Thanks Jim.”
“I didn’t think we need them involved,” said Reese. “I think it was just those painkillers talking.”
Dave had mixed painkillers and alcohol once before, when he’d hurt his back. That time it had just made him dozy, but this time it was the opposite—he’d felt edgy, irritable. He wasn’t about to argue with Reese, though. He nodded, then smiled at the crowd, palms out. “Sorry folk, I apologize. I’ve been having some bad migraines, and I’m taking pain killers for them. Guess beer is not a good mixer. Don’t try this at home, folks.”
There were a few chuckles, but he noticed most people were still keeping their distance from him.
He turned to Rosie. “Sorry for busting up the party. It’s been pretty busy lately. I’ve been working pretty solid. ”
“No problem,” said Rosie. “You just make sure to get some rest. At least take a day off, man.” He slapped Dave across the shoulders. “We do have to work on your people skills, too. Come on, I’ll drop you off home.”
Rosie smiled at the crowd. “Thanks for a great party folks, had a great time, but I still have to open early tomorrow. Get back to your dancing. And free breakfast for any of you that can make it into my place before 7:00 a.m.”
With that the band started up and conversation resumed. Dave felt drained, and was all too happy to get an escort home. He was worried—he’d never lost it like that before, never felt the rage take him over. In addition, he was having all these strange headaches and dreams. Nightmares really. Always with him being chased, sometimes as if he was being herded to go in a particular direction, but before he could see what the goal was, he woke up in a sweat, looking behind him. Maybe it was related to some change in his power since Toronto. He wished he had someone to talk to about all this. If he told his boss, he’d be sent for a psych evaluation. Once they found out about his power, they’d probably stuff him into some high tech super-secret lab—never to see the light of day again. As for JB, aside from the fact that they weren’t really talking anymore, she’d think it was just crazy until he disappeared in front of her. Then she would likely run from him, screaming.’’