• Sitting at the bar was part of your daily routine by now. Ever since your sister left town with her husband, you were the only one in your family left here. Everybody else had either ran away or passed.
• You had never wished for much in your life, only for it to end happily, surrounded by your children and grandchildren. However, with every day that passed that dream seemed to be further away.
• You placed a dime on the table in front of you and sipped your beer, spinning around on the stool to look at the entirety of the bar. There were people in here you had known your whole life: Bill in the corner who was the sweetest old man, Jerry who always showed off his pistol, Harold who would challenge anyone to a game of poker, and Paul who had no interest in people at all.
• The door swung open as a man stepped into the bar, his hair draped over his forehead in greased strands, a bead of sweat falling from them. His shirt was grey and checkered, fitting him loosely underneath a thick jacket. Why on Earth would he be wearing such a thing in this hot weather?
• You had never seen this man before which was unusual for a small town like yours. Perhaps he was just one of the many that passed through for an hour or so. One of those who have a drink before getting back on their horses and on the road.
• He strode over towards the bar, towards you, and placed himself down on a seat a few feet away from you where you could get a better look at him.
• You had to admit, he was quite handsome. His face was chiseled in the perfect way, he looked the slightest bit feminine but in a good way. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of chocolate brown you had ever seen. His hair was a peculiar blonde with hints of silver, but perhaps it was just the lighting. He was the most beautiful man you had ever seen now that you thought about it.
• “Well hello there, ma’am,” he spoke, his eyes locking onto yours. You froze for a moment, his voice was velvety and comforting yet it held a piercing violence behind it. Your eyes glanced down to the open pocket of his jacket where you saw the brim of a WANTED poster. Was he on the run?
• “Why hello, sir,” you replied, being as respectful and ladylike as possible. Just like your mother taught you.
• “Don’t go calling me sir how, pretty thing, you might get me excited,” he winked, causing a hot flush to rise into your cheeks and flood you ears with a deep crimson. He chuckled. “Sorry darlin’, didn’t mean to make you all flustered there.”
• “Oh, it’s quite alright Mr…” you paused.
• “ The names Ni-ki, darlin’, but you can call me Riki.” he said, tossing you another wink as if he had given you a special offer.
• “Very well, Riki,” you replied. “What brings you to town?”
• The conversation between the two of you flowed for at least an hour before he abruptly checked his watch and jumped out of his seat, collecting the remaining change of his on the table and scurrying over to the door.
• At first, you thought he was going to leave without saying goodbye but he held it open and looked back at you. “you gonna sit there lookin’ all pretty or are ya gonna get your little ass up and follow me?”
• Against your will, a small grin crept upon your face as you took a final sip of your beer, the last you would ever have here. You placed a kiss to Bills cheek as you passed him at the corner table, waved a goodbye to Old Rick behind the bar and followed Riki out of the door, unknowingly stepping into the greatest tears of the rest of your life.
