There is an optimal way to arrange a table at a dive bar, and nobody understands this but me.
Four coasters. Square formation. Edges parallel to the grain of the wood. If the symmetry is off, the vibe is off. If the vibe is off, the structural integrity of the night collapses. It’s basic emotional architecture.
"Leo, you’re doing the thing with your hands again," Desi slurred. She was draped over the booth like a discarded leather jacket, one boot up on the vinyl seat. Her eyeliner was smudged in a way that looked cool on Instagram but concerning in real life.
"I am not 'doing a thing,'" I said, nudging her coaster three millimeters to the left. "I am preparing the environment for Adam. He texted three hours ago. He said 8:00 PM. It is currently 8:14 PM. This is a deviation."
"Time is a construct, babe," Desi laughed. She took a drag of her cigarette. The smoke came out pink—a sure sign she was feeling manic. "Maybe he’s hooking up. Maybe he’s robbing a bank. Maybe he’s finally living a little. You should try it. Loosen the tie, Mr. Blueprint."
"If I loosen the tie, the entropy wins," I muttered.
I looked across the table at Greg. Greg is a big guy. Not just tall, but heavy. Not fat, just... dense. Like he has his own personal gravity field. He was wearing that same grey hoodie he’s worn since 2018, face buried in his arms, snoring softly. Where his elbows touched the table, the wood was warping, dipping down as if a bowling ball had been left on a wet cardboard box.
"Greg," I snapped. "Wake up. You’re denting the furniture."
Greg snorted and lifted his head. He looked like he’d been crying for a decade. "Is he here?" Greg’s voice was a bass rumble that rattled the empty glasses. "I had a dream I was falling. It was nice. Peaceful."
"He’s not here," I said, checking my watch again. 8:15 PM. My pulse was doing a techno beat against my wrist. "Adam is reliable. Adam is the constant variable. If Adam isn't here, there is a logistical error in the universe."
"You need a drink," Desi announced, slamming her hand on the table. "Bartender! Hit us!"
ns216.73.216.10da2
and then Add to home screen.