T he driver pulled the car over to the curb in front of The Haven. He put his hat on, hopped outta the car and opened the passenger door. “Now, when we get in the kitchen, Janet, we have to pour as much champagne into the glasses as we can before the Singing Waiters get here. They can take over for us, then.”
“I still don’t understand why they’re not doing the first round too. You’re paying them.”
“Yeah, but not very much. It makes me feel bad to work them that hard without the cash to back it up. Of course, if we do real well, they’ll get something extra, but promises don’t pay the rent. Do you mind?”
“Nah, but aren’t ya afraid I’ll drink up yer profits?”
“You told me you were going on the wagon.”
“I am. I did. Started last night.”
“Maybe this job will be too hard on you. You can put out the throw rugs, instead.”
“Booze is gonna be everywhere I go so I gotta get used to it. Let Johnny do the throw rugs.”
“Okay, if you think you’ll be okay.”
We both hopped outta the car as the sun was inching down the earth. Soon the day would be gone, melted into the dark. Rodrigo saw me going for the handle inside the car and opened the door for me helping us to exit.
Across the street I saw two hoodlums in leather jackets and DAs smoking cigarettes and eyeing the car. I stepped back to the driver who’d just lit up his own cigarette. “Rodrigo, don’t park around here.” I nodded in the direction of the two who carefully watched us.
“Yes, Señora, I saw them.”
“Be careful.”
He got into the car and quickly drove away.
Janet and I stood on the sidewalk staring at the front door of The Haven. “Who did that ?” I asked Janet.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “But it sure looks pretty.”
“Yeah, it does.” Our door had been decorated with holly and bright Christmas ornaments and lights. A large wreathe with colorful ornaments sat in the center.
“Then, who…?”
Out of the shadow of an old naked Oak Johnny stepped forward in his tuxedo. “Merry Christmas, Ladies.”
“Don’t you look nice,” I said.
“I haven’t worn a monkey suit in a long time. It feels good. Except I’m freezing.”
“The door? You did that?”
“Well, it was just a little something I put together for you gals.”
“It’s beautiful, Johnny,” I said. “Thank you.”
“Yes, John,” Janet said. “Gorgeous.”
“Merry Christmas girls. Shall we go inside and get ready?”
“No! Wait, wait!” Janet said. “I want to take our picture. This is a momentous day for me.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a Brownie Box camera. “Okay, now Johnny, Al, stand in front of the door. Closer. Stand close together.”
“But Janet, don’t you need flash to take a picture? It’s starting to get dark.”
“This is a Starflash.” She held the camera to her eye. “The flash comes built in.”
“Fan-cee,” I said, “Aren’t you modern.”
She lowered the camera and grinned, “Yeah, I am.”
“Will you take the darn picture,” Johnny said, “My arms are gonna fall off from frostbite.
“Oh. Sorry.” She snapped the picture.
Then Johnny took a picture of Janet and me in front of the door. Then I took a picture of Johnny and Janet in front of the door. Then I took another picture of just the door.
“After the show,” I said. “We’ll get Max to take a picture of all three of us at the same time, so we’ll all be in the same picture.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Johnny said, laughing. “Now can we go inside before we all freeze into snowmen out here?”
We walked up The Haven steps. “I made it,” Johnny said, softly. Maybe more to himself.
“Made it? I don’t understand. You made the door?”
“Hardly. I did buy the ornaments and put them up, but I didn’t make them. What I meant was I made it to opening night without a drink. That was the bargain I made with myself when you gave me the job. If I could do that, I figured it would mean I could go further and I could come back to being a functioning human being who’d earned the right to return to the human race.”
“Well, you certainly did do that, and you certainly do deserve to be welcomed back into the fold.” I stood on my tip toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Congratulations.”
We stood at the door. “I believe you two are the ones who possess the keys to this inner sanctum. So—ladies, shall we?”
Janet rummaged in her purse, but she couldn’t locate her keys. “Oh, I’m sorry, Al. I must’ve left them in my everyday purse. I’m sorry, sorry. I’m sorry, don’t be mad, I’m sorry.”
“Woah, there’s no need to be that sorry, I got mine here.” I pulled out the key and held it up.
Janet and Johnny stepped aside so I could get to the door. I put the key in the keyhole and turned. I pushed the door open. I was greeted by a dusty dark. I felt my way into the hallway with them behind me. By touch I located the light chord and pulled. The light illumined the room and my heart sunk down into my stomach.