I would like to thank findingmyvoice for all the help in editing this story!
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"Omg, omg, omg...yes, yes!" That was all I heard through the muffled screams. Her thighs were wrapped around my head like she was trying to make my eyes pop out, or make my head explode. Perhaps, I should start at the beginning.
It was Friday, February 14th. I was spending another night at my favorite restaurant, Defenders. Years ago, the place had a bad reputation as the old owner could not, or would not look out for the customers.
That all changed in one night when an older couple was being harassed by a really obnoxious drunken threesome I dubbed, "the three stooges." The couple was being assaulted by these idiots while the owner and his employees sat back to enjoy their nightly entertainment.
The owner being in his late 20's, maybe early 30's, was just too damn immature to run the establishment.
I had seen enough and stepped in to help the couple from being harmed any further. It took less than a minute and the three stooges were being dragged out of the restaurant while the customers cheered.
The couple threatened the owner with a lawsuit. After a heated discussion about the management of the restaurant, it was decided, it would be sold to the couple, well sort of.
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It was just after 8pm when the band started setting up. They weren't a bad band, but you wouldn't bet on them making it big. The locals flock to the restaurant every weekend and they do a decent amount of business during the week. Being that it was Valentine's Day, the place seemed to have more couples than usual.
I have been coming to this restaurant for many years now and I know the entire staff. I really come for the food, but stick around and tip them well for their service.
I don't drink much, only a couple of drinks per visit on average. However, many of the patrons drink like fish and walk like spaghetti when they leave.
So there I was, solo on another Valentine's Day. Ever since my wife, Brandy, passed away, I made it a point to not schedule any romantic dates for that day.
Anyway, I was people watching while playing trivia on one of the big screens when I noticed one of the patrons having a hard time with another customer.
The woman was alone, keeping to herself and looking at the door as if she was waiting for someone. Several minutes passed before she ordered from the menu. She seemed uncomfortable, tense, eating small bites, and glancing up each time the door opened. She finished her dinner companionless. She dabbed at the corners of her rosebud lips with her paper napkin before offering a slight nod and polite smile to the waitress. I could not help but watch her, the sparkle of her eyes, the flush of her cheeks, her beauty was captivating. I could only think what sort of idiot would stand this woman up.
One of the inebriated men was trying to hit on the woman and was getting rebuffed for his drunken efforts. He didn't know when no meant no.
I have witnessed this countless times over the years and did what I would do for any lady in distress. I leapt from my table and crossed about twenty feet in .07 seconds.
I grabbed the guy from behind his neck and lifted him off the ground as my other hand went around his throat.
The bouncer was only a couple of seconds behind me. I think the guy passed out as I cut off his air supply, or maybe he was just too drunk.
Marvin got one arm around his shoulder and I did the same as we escorted him outside, while Margie called a cab for him.
Marvin thanked me for a job well done and once again offered me a job. I laughed as I told him, "You can't afford me," as I always said.
Margie promptly thanked me and told me dinner was on her as she had done many times before, with a wink and a nod.
Margie, her husband, Hank, and I became great friends after our initial encounter with the three stooges.
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When the current owner of the restaurant threw out a number to sell the bar, I said, "Done!" Margie and Hank looked at me like I was crazy. We set up the date to transfer ownership a week later.
I invited Margie and Hank to my house to work out the details. I explained to them what I saw as the potential in the business.
Hank was ex-military with experience feeding thousands of troops. Margie had a background serving tables in her younger years, then she moved in to management ten years ago.
By the way she spoke to the owner about his management style, I recognized that she was in management.
Margie and Hank shared their concerns about buying the restaurant. The main issue being that it would drain them financially and they were scared to put all their eggs into one basket.
Being in their mid-fifties, they had worked hard to plan their retirement and were well on their way.
I eased their fears by telling them I could be a silent partner and they could keep most of their savings.
I just needed to know they were committed to running the place. With twenty percent of their savings being committed by Hank and Margie, I knew they would do a great job.
With the financial part out of the way, I went on to describe my various experiences with the restaurant, over the many times I had ventured into "the jungle" as I called it.
I told them I was tired of the way the restaurant had been run and wanted a safer place for people to come out to have a good time. As 6am rolled around, "Defenders" was born.
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As I was making my way back to my table, I noticed the woman in tears. I made a detour to her table to make sure she was all right. "Are you hurt young lady?" I inquired.
"Nnnoo...Iiimmm oookkkk," she squeaked out.
"If you are ok, why are you crying?" I pressed on.
"Nobody has ever defended me like that," she said with a sob.
"Happy to be of service ma'am!" I responded with my best southern drawl. That got a giggle out her as she wiped her tears away.
"My name is Jones, Mike Jones," I said, trying to sound like James Bond. That one brought a smile to her face. I had not seen this woman smile since she walked in.
"You should smile more often young lady, I would have invited you to dinner with me had I known it would light up the room."
"Damn, you're cheesy, is that the best you got?" she said in a playful tone.
"Hell NO! I get much cheesier as the night goes on," I replied instantly. Now she was really laughing.
"I'm Mindy, Mindy Johnson. Thank you for helping me out with that guy." I know a sincere thank you when I hear one.
"No problem, it happens once in a while here on the weekends. Marvin knows he can count on me and the owner has given me permission to help keep the peace. Would you care to join me for a drink? A tiger like yourself shouldn't be alone in this jungle," I said, sounding as cheesy as possible.
That brought another smile. I was beginning to really enjoy my night.
"Of course I would. I was supposed to meet up with a guy from this stupid cupid dating site, and surprise, surprise, a no show!"
"A Queen, such as yourself, will never find a proper suitor on such things my lady," I said as I bowed my head.
"You really do get cheesier as the night goes on don't you?"
In all seriousness, I told her that I enjoy being cheesy.
"It works for you, not for many, but you are owning it. I dub thee the King of Cheesy!" It was my turn to crack up.
I escorted her to my table and pulled her chair out. She looked at me as though I was an alien. She took her seat but I could not tell if she liked my old fashioned ways. "What are you drinking?" I inquired.
"Merlot," she replied. Before I could raise my hand to signal our server, Margie was at our table.
"Let me apologize Ma'am. We do our best to make sure our guests are looked after." Margie continued with, "Flash Gordon here is our Super-Secret super hero."
"I noticed," Mindy said with a smile.
"Are you sure you are ok?" Margie asked once again.
"Yes I am, now that I am enjoying a Friday night for once."
"Well, your dinner is on the house, would you like something to drink?" said Margie.
"Yes barkeep," I replied, "the lady would like your finest glass of Merlot, and I will h..."
Margie cut me off. "Yes, Flash...you will have your two fingers."
"Three or more if I get lucky," I said with as much sexual overtone as possible.
Margie rolled her eyes and told Mindy she would return with our drinks.
Mindy gave me a quizzical look and said, "Three or more fingers huh?"
"What can I say, I have good fingers, or so I've been told," I replied.
"Don't get too far ahead of yourself Mr. Gordon!" Mindy retorted.
I excused myself and went to the restroom. Margie was on her way with our drinks. As I passed her I said, "Don't be telling her any lies about me." Margie laughed and continued to our table.
"Margie, what's the scoop on this guy?" Mindy inquired.
"Oh honey, I need to sit down for a long while if you want the whole book."
Margie took my seat and filled Mindy in on some of my background, lifestyle, romances, and painted me as some saint.
I took my time knowing some of the stories she might be telling Mindy. Although I am who I am, I really don't care to hear the stories about taking a bullet for Margie when some dickhead tried to rob the place. Nor all the stories about keeping the peace in the restaurant, and I especially don't care to hear about taking a woman into my home because she was homeless. That one has a bitter end to it but I truly was trying to help.
