Juliana – Chapter 56 The Juliana Effect

Time in Willow Creek: 12 months, 1 week, 3 days

Kevin and Marq swaggered into the lounge. Left and right, their bodies rocked to the rhythms created by their own cool. It was nearly 11:00, and they were expecting a hot crowd but were met by two old bitties: one tending the bar, and the other trying her hand at karaoke. It was a shame that no one was there to witness their epic entrance. They swaggered their way over to the bar and caught up with each other. To Kevin’s chagrin, they had not communicated in a while.

Marq eyed his handsome friend and said, “You’re mighty casual tonight, bro.”

Kevin snorted. “So are you.”

“But you’re, like, never casual.”

“I’m casual all the time. You just don’t see me.”

“Yeah right.” I’ll bet he’s uber casual with this Juliana.

There was a brief silence before Kevin attempted a new topic. Too bad he didn’t recognize that it played into Marq’s thoughts. “You seeing anyone?”

Marq snorted. “Am I seeing anyone? I see everyone! You know I’m never without options.”

Kevin chuckled at his debonair friend.

“Are you still not dating Juliana?”

Kevin slumped on his stool and rolled his eyes. “Come on, Marq. We talked about this.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You throw me away for no good reason,” he said and slapped Kevin on the back.

Kevin gave him the stink eye. A few more people had come in. What is this, senior night, Marq thought.

A mischievous smile crept upon Kevin’s face, and he leaned closer to his friend. “I see you’ve taken to making your mark across all age groups these days.”

Marq grinned through his confusion. He could tell whatever joke his friend was trying to make was going to be a good one. “What?”

Kevin pointed his head toward the bar tender. When Marq finally took notice of her, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“You are just too hot for your own good, my friend,” Kevin said.

When Marq caught his breath, he attempted to defend himself. “I swear I had nothing to do with that, but you can’t deny great style when you see it.”

“Are you sure? Legends only grow you know. I could have swore I saw someone wearing a t-shirt saying ‘Be Like Marq’ the other day.”

Marq was howling.

“He said he bought it from TV. $19.99 I think he said.”

Marq was doubled over. “You’re out of control, Kev!”

He slapped Marq on the back. “We need drinks, my man.”

Marq watched him swag to the other side of the bar as he was trying to gain his composure. There was something different about Kevin. Even his speech was more casual. He knew exactly what it was, but convincing Kevin was another story. He heard Kevin say, “I love your haircut, by way,” to the bartender. Marq almost had to walk away to stifle his laughter again. This dude is crazy!

“Two Salty Llamas…on the house,” the bartender said.

Marq’s laughter stopped when he heard her. Shocked, he walked over to receive his free drink and witness how the rest of the scene played out. Usually he was the one with game and scored free everything.

Kevin was surprised as well. “Oh…thanks, but you don’t have to do that. How much?” He pulled out his wallet.

She glanced at Marq. “Your friend doesn’t know what ‘on the house’ means.”

He snatched Kevin’s wallet. “Yeah, he doesn’t know what a lot of things mean.” He and the bartender shared a laugh. “Thank you for the drink, darlin.”

She blushed. If the crowd was usually as dead as it was that night, she probably never received so much attention before.

“Seriously, though.” Kevin snatched his wallet back. “I want to pay for the drinks.”

She shook her head. “I’m retiring soon. I give drinks to whoever I want now.”

Marq imagined that she was quite a feisty in her youth.

“Oh! Well, in that case,” Kevin thumbed through his wallet and pulled the largest tip she probably ever received in her life and slid the bills across the counter, “for you. Happy retirement!”

She opened her mouth to contest, but he waved his finger in her face. There was no way she could say no to that handsome face. “You’re very sweet. Thank you.” She looked like she would cry and quickly went to the other side to wipe the counters.

Marq punched him in the arm. “Dude! You’re on fire tonight! You’re wearing jeans, you’re funny, you’re making it rain, and you made the old lady cry! Who are you? I like this relaxed Kev.”

Kevin shrugged. “I’m feeling good.”

Marq was happy that his friend had found someone who made him happy and relaxed. It would have made him even happier if Kevin realized the effect Juliana had on him. Sometimes Marq tried to imagine what it must have been like for him. He experienced so much loss, lived with guilt, and was so guarded. He wanted so badly for his friend to finally be whole and free. The chains had been loosening over the past seven months, and he was glad for that. He wanted Kevin to see it too.