Peripheral Vision: A Supernatural Thriller(11)

“Well I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences. Who was your aunt?”

“Elizabeth Bayard.” There was a brief moment of recollection in the bartender’s eyes-Sarah was quite sure of it-but then it was quickly gone.

“Never met her,” he said.

“No? But I thought everyone in small towns knew each other.” She smiled again as she said it.

The old bartender didn’t smile back. “Are you out here alone?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm. Well just make sure you watch your back.” He whispered, as he pulled the dirty rag from his shoulder and swiped it quickly around the inside of a tumbler.

“Watch my back?”

The bartender stopped polishing the glass and leaned up against the bar. His face now comically close to Sarah.

“Absolutely. A young, pretty woman like you has to be careful when traveling alone in an unfamiliar town.”

“Oh. Well thank you for your concern, but don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself, been doing it my whole life.” Sarah again smiled at the bartender over her glass.

The old bartender shrugged and seemed to mutter something under his breath before turning and walking away. It had been a strange thing to say, but Sarah tried to not let it get to her. Instead, she focused on taking in the scene and enjoying her drink. The band was actually pretty good, and the music was starting to make her forget about how hungry she was. The lead singer, who was dressed all in black and wearing a big cowboy hat, seemed to be looking in Sarah’s direction as he sang about the pickup truck where he’d slept the night before. Sound’s familiar, she thought.

Sarah took another sip and started to realize just how exhausted her body was. Her mind however, was just the opposite. She was already formulating her plans for tomorrow, how to get to the house, when to speak with the attorney, grocery shopping, Emma, her next job, spare keys, etcetera. She was too lost in her thoughts and the twang of the music and didn’t notice the handsome guy standing next to her at the bar.

“Excuse me,” he started, “I couldn’t help but overhear you say your aunt was Elizabeth Bayard?”

Sarah was startled as she turned on her wobbly barstool, to find the handsome stranger in a white t-shirt and blue jeans standing next to her. For a split second, she thought she might lose her balance, but she steadied herself and instead found herself taking in the man’s rugged good looks. He was tall, with blue eyes and the shadow of a beard outlined his strong face. His lips were moving, but she was having a hard time following what he was saying. Caught up in the moment, she didn’t respond. She just couldn’t.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” The man apologized.

Suddenly, the reality of the moment hit Sarah and she realized she had been staring-really staring. She blushed and attempted to cover.

“No, don’t be. It’s okay. I’m just a little out of it. Long drive. I…I’m sorry, how long have you been standing here?” Sarah asked the handsome stranger.

“Oh, not long. I really didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to tell you that I knew your aunt.”

Sarah’s face changed, as she nodded and motioned with her hand. “Please sit down.”

“Thanks,” the man said, and then pulled out the bar stool and sat down next to Sarah. “You said you had a long drive? Where did you drive in from?”

“Los Angeles.”

“Wow, that is a long drive. You drove straight through?”

“Yep.”

“Impressive,” he said. “I’m Nick.”

Sarah cautiously smiled back. “Sarah.”

Nick extended his hand, Sarah put her hand in his and shook it. It was a good firm handshake. There was a palpable spark between the two as their hands touched-they both felt it. Sarah pulled her hand away, embarrassed, but she had felt something else too. It had only been a flash, the feeling, but she was sure that it was a kiss that she had seen.

“So you knew my aunt?” She asked, changing the subject, and at the same time dissecting her vision.

“Yes I did.” Nick replied. “Fairly well. She was a nice lady. I did a lot of work for her over at her house.” He shifted in his seat. “I guess it’s your house now?”

“Yeah... my house…” Sarah trailed off as she took another sip from her glass. The ice had melted and Sarah found that the drink really wasn’t what she wanted anymore.

“You don’t seem too excited about it,” Nick said.

“I’m not sure how I feel about all of this. I mean, it’s just a lot to take in really. I never met my aunt. I know very little about her. And now she’s gone and I don’t have any family to fill me in, or tell me stories... or whatever… and, well… I’m hungry.” Sarah’s stomach growled right on cue to emphasize her last word.

“I’m sorry.” Nick looked down for a split second and then looking up with a smile, “I think I can help with that last part.”

He spun on his barstool and hopped to his feet-rounding the small L shaped bar quickly, as he raised his hand in the air and shouted for the bartender.

“Hey, Walt! Walt.”

The short bartender was standing behind the worn-out cash register at the end of the bar, totaling up some of the regulars’ tickets.