Supporter of the Arts
Mick had set his alarm a little earlier than usual for his typical Sunday mornings as he had made plans to meet up with Sean at the fitness center and get a workout in before heading to The Dugout around noontime for his shift. Midterms were that week and Mick also wanted to do as much studying as he possibly could. He started himself a cup of coffee before running down to his own washroom to brush his teeth and throw some water on his face and upon returning, Mick added just a bit of sugar and milk to his steaming brew before sitting down at his desk and opening his laptop to peruse the news and his emails.
The first message at the top of his inbox was from one of his ex-military buddies who was also currently enrolled in college, letting Mick know that some of his old squad mates were planning to meet up in Las Vegas for spring break. The very next email he opened was from student housing advising on-campus residents that during the recess, they had to vacate their dormitories by midday next Saturday and were not permitted to return until the following Sunday.
"Crap," Mick said to himself, as he fell back against his chair and ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. He had not given any real thought to the upcoming respite due to being preoccupied with prepping for exams. Suddenly it was apparent that he needed to figure something out and quick, also realizing that he may have to miss some time from work. "Gil is going to flip," thought Mick, knowing how busy it was anticipated that the bar would be for the next two weekends.
Mick finished up his morning routine and headed out to meet Sean. While working-out in the free weights area he broached the subject with his gym partner, inquiring what Sean's plans were for the break. "Heading up to Arapahoe Basin for spring skiing," he answered. Mick started in, explaining his dilemma but did not get far before Sean interjected, "Come on and go with me." Mick admitted to his friend that he was not much of a skier. "Then don't ski!" chortled Sean, "Après ski." Sean went on to explain to Mick that
The Legend
, as locals called it, was known for its spring skiing and party scene. "You should see the tailgating in the parking lot," Sean told him, "You'd swear you were at a football game." Mick thanked his friend for the invitation and told Sean that he would give it some serious thought.
"Hey, before I forget about it," said Sean, "Do you have any interest in playing league softball after the break?" "Maybe," his friend replied. "Edgar the chemistry lab manager always put a team together and they still need a few more people," Sean told him.
Mick loved the game of baseball, having played several years of little league and a year of JV and three years of varsity ball for his high school team. He was not nearly as fond of softball however. There were pick-up games and leagues in the service, and his family always played a game at their 4th of July picnic, and Mick would always ask the question, "Why can't we just play baseball instead?" A large part of his dislike for softball stemmed from his lack of prowess at the plate. Mick was an excellent contact hitter who could consistently crush a baseball for line drive extra base hits, but when it came to softball, it was a completely different story. He could not seem to master the arc of a slow-pitched softball and was always too impatient, never letting the pitch get over the plate.
Sean informed Mick that, "Your buddy Perry is playing," further saying before his friend could reply, "and so is Terri."
"I take it this is a coed team?" asked Mick.
"Yep," replied Sean, adding, "run by city parks and rec."
"Pencil me in," Mick told him.
"I'll let them know," said Sean.
After having returned from his workout and showered, Mick headed out a little early so he could have some time to speak to Gil before his shift started. When he arrived at The Dugout, Mick found its owner situated at the end of the bar finishing his lunch with Lonnie behind the counter cutting fruit.
"Do you have a moment," Mick asked his boss.
"This can't be good," replied Gil as he turned towards his employee.
Mick went about fully explaining his predicament to Gilman who then asked the obvious, "You are aware that the men's basketball tournament starts on Thursday and Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, aren't you?" Mick apologized for coming to him so late with the problem but assured Gil that it was not his preference to miss work and leave The Dugout in the lurch. Gil called out to his barkeep, "Are you catching this?" Without bothering to look up, Lonnie shook his head disapprovingly as he continued slicing his garnishes. "What is my best bartender going to do without his best barback?" posed Gil as he extended his hand out, gesturing at his barkeeper.
"Bullshit," blurted Lonnie, before Mick could offer an answer. "You aren't going anywhere," he informed Mick as he chucked an orange wedge past his head.
Nonplussed by both their reactions, Mick shrugged his shoulders while splaying his palms and asked in a frustrated tone, "So what am I supposed to do?"
"You can crash at my place on the sofa bed," Lonnie informed his coworker. For a few seconds, Mick stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.
"Joe... can Mick just work my same schedules?" asked Lonnie of the proprietor.
"Fine by me," answered Gil.
"Just bring your shit with you on Saturday," Lonnie told Mick, "Then get up Monday morning and head off to Disneyland or wherever the fuck it is you plan on going." Mick thanked Lonnie for offering to put him up. "Just be back in time for the following Friday," Lonnie advised him.
"Now go get clocked in and get to work before I fire you," joked Gil, "And pick up that orange!"
On Monday evening, Abigail came to Mick's room to study for their calculus midterm being given on the following morning, however she seemed intent on talking about anything but. "You have yet to tell me about you spring break plans," she said to him. Mick informed her that he just figured out what he was going to do about work, but still was not sure about the actual break part. "Come with us to Lake Havasu," suggested Abby.
"Us?" inquired Mick apprehensively.
Abby told him that she and her boyfriend Jimmy were going to drive to Arizona and spend the week at his uncle's house and hang out with his cousins on their boat. "It's one big party scene on the lake," she said.
"Don't you think you should run that by Jimmy first?" Mick asked her.
"He won't care," Abby said dismissively, prompting Mick to reply, "I'm not so sure about that."
Before Abigail could attempt to give him any more assurances, Mick inquired, "So how does he even begin to explain that to his family?"
"Explain what?" asked Abby.
"That his girlfriend who lives next to the only guy in her dorm invited him on break with her boyfriend to his family's house?" said Mick. Again, before she had the chance to offer any of her thoughts on the matter, Mick told Abby, "I appreciate that you always think of me but I'm going to have to pass on this invitation."
"Speaking of invitations," shot Abby, "Zoe's dance recital is Thursday evening... Be ready to go by six-fifteen."
