Thread: What Might Have Been (AndNich123 & Reydan)

Blue. It would be the first thing she would notice. The neon's for Joe's still gave off a brilliant glow, lighting up the night sky, leading the way for those in search of the best burger in town. The parking lot was gravel. Joe would never upgrade and pave it. It wasn't his style. He had told her that himself. No, he preferred the place to a small town, home-like feel to it, and it did. It really did. The paint was peeling now, faded as well. The once pristine white paint now showed the passing of time. It was just another reminder. Time had not stood still. It would not stand still. Though she had left, this place, like everything else, that was here, had not been frozen in time. She could smell the fresh flowers that Joe always kept by the front door entrance. It was an homage to his late wife. She had loved them so, and even after passing, Joe couldn't bring himself to stop buying them. Everyone who came here knew they were for her. There was a certain amount of respect for the flowers. No one threw trash in them, or even around them. For that matter, no one threw trash anywhere on the premises. There was a certain fear of Joe chasing them down with his trusty baseball bat screaming, I'm not your father, but I'll teach you a lesson! Joe had his own style and flair that was for certain. No one ever picked the flowers. There was only one time where a girl picked one of the flowers. When she noticed Joe had seen her, he approached her and told her, Take it. She would want you to have it. It was such a sweet gesture that no one ever dared to take from her or Joe. So as she stood beneath the blue hue, listening to the familiar hum, Maddy looked down and gently touched the soft petals of the flowers. Hello, Mrs. Jameson. I haven't seen you or Joe in a long time. I'm sorry I've been away. I've missed you. Standing upright, Maddy had to wipe away a tear. Seeing the flowers had reminded her of just how close she got to joining Mrs. Jameson. She had been spared. Her life was not over, and now it was time to get it back. It was time to live. She pulled on the metal handle and heard the ringing of the bells. Joe kept a small cluster of metal bells hanging just over the door. He loved the sound they made. Once he had said it was the sound of money. Of course, his wife had said it was the sound of someone in need of something. Perhaps they could help them. Either the way, the bells still hung above the door. The sound drew an instant smile to her face. Glancing up, she noticed Joe had added a small blue ribbon bow. It was perfect. Her eyes scanned, searching for someone familiar, searching for him. When she couldn't find him, the memory came back to her. There was a table, their table, and it hit her like a ton of bricks that she would find him there. Moving through the maze of tables and bodies, she found them sitting there, like a beacon of comfort. Her smile grew wider as she slowly approached, but it would soon fade as she noticed Jenny wasn't there. Still, as she reached the table, she forced her smile once more. Her fingertips grazed the chair slightly before she gripped it and pulled it out. Hi guys, she said, slipping into her seat. The question was there, and she couldn't ignore it. It begged to be asked and answered. Jenny didn't want to come, did she? As soon as the words left her lips, she realized she didn't want to hear the answer. It was painful enough to know she wasn't there. It's okay, she added on quickly before they could answer. I understand. Just tell her she was missed. She knew the words would probably fall on deaf ears, but she felt they needed to be said. It was a sentiment she felt and wanted to convey to her once best friend. The beer in front of Charles drew a mix of emotions. Drinking wasn't something that was new to either of them, but there was that nagging wondering in the back of her mind that maybe he had been doing a lot of this since she left. So is that any good, she asked, gesturing to it. Part of her wanted to grab it and take a drink, but she held back. The distance between them was far greater than the table between them. Can I get you anything, the voice called out as if on cue to break the moment. Yeah. I'll have what he's having. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. In fact, bring another round for the table. I'm sure Daniel can handle it. The lady nodded. Alright, Hun. Be right back with it. Maddy would watch her leave before speaking. Place hasn't changed that much. I see Joe still keeps the same stuff on the walls. You know, most places would try to keep up with the times, to change, but not Joe. No, he's pretty set in his ways. He won't ever change. She returned her gaze back to Charles. You drink a lot, Charles? Is this an every night thing, or are you just drinking for tonight? Daniel, she asked, looking over to him. Does he? Do you guys come here a lot and drink, or is there something you do for fun? What do you two handsome men do for fun around here these days?