In a couple of hours he’d be taking over Brian’s shift at the bar and after a night with little sleep from his leg throbbing, Marsh felt like the only respite for his weariness was to eat a big meal to regain some semblance of energy. Rudy had demanded a walk first thing in the morning, his leash in his mouth as he jumped onto Marsh’s chest. He couldn’t quite say no to the Kelpie’s excited face so he put on a pair of boots and some sunglasses and walked his dog around the trailer park.
It was close to the dinner time rush when he sat in a booth at Terrible’s and didn’t even bother to look at a menu. Terrible’s Roadhouse was one of the first places he’d stopped in Searchlight and he found himself there far more often then he ever expected.
Ronnie was serving him today and Marsh liked Ronnie. Some days he felt more down than others and Ronnie was always a big ray of sunshine. Reminded him of Eleanor when she was a kid. “Hey Ronnie, tell me we got some steak today. I got an appetite like you wouldn’t believe.” Most people wouldn’t be eating breakfast right now but Marsh worked at night and this was his breakfast time.
They had been shorthanded, businesses were recovering.
Which meant Ronnie was not only playing cook, he was also trying to serve and sometimes playing hostess.
Thankfully LeeAnn had gotten Marsh settled and helped tend to a few others while Nesryn refilled coffee cups and took orders if folks needed anything not readily available.
Seeing Marsh was always a welcomed sight.
Ronnie strolled up with a hand extended out for a high-five - or rather a casual low-five - and he grinned. “Hey dude! I got the second best Wagyu in the State. Ramsay got the first, don't blame him a bit. You want it usual?”
They served food at all hours - breakfast, lunch, dinner, combinations of both or all three - so he didn’t mind unique orders.
“What’s been up, bromato?”
“Please, I’m starving.” A hand went to Ronnie’s to give him a high five but it missed ever so slightly. A clear sign that Marsh hadn’t slept well the night before. Steak and eggs was his usual, it reminded him of how his dad used to cook for them back in Durango. “And your biggest cup of coffee, keep em’ coming.” It then occurred to him that Ronnie was usually in the kitchen. “They got you waiting tables? I’d’ve thought you’d be back there making sure my steak came out just right.”
He sat back in his chair at the question about what was up. Marsh was never that good at sharing his feelings, often he’d wallow in silence swearing everything was just fine. It seemed easier to be boring than it was an emotional mess. “You know, a little bit of this, little bit of that. Rudy practically walks himself in the morning but for some reason he always needs me to accompany him.” And pick him after him. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He’d nearly lost his hearing after the tongue lashing he’d been dealt.
“I gotta throw it on the stove to make sure it’s coming out right,” he laughed, nodding. He noticed the missed high five but left it alone. His hand went into his pocket instead. “They got a bit short handed around here. That won’t last, people need the easy cash, so I offered to help.” Ronnie shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t mind catching a table or two.
At mention of Rudy, Ronnie beamed, “That rascal. You’re lucky to have him.” The scolding was purely playful.
“Cool, well lemme get your coffee going and I’ll throw that steak on, yeah?” And away he went to go get a mug and a pot of coffee. He was back moments later with the empty vessel. The mug was set down gently, filled with fresh brew, and then Ronnie wandered off to get Marsh’s food going.
If Marsh had been smarter, he’d have done his workout before eating a greasy breakfast but the couple of glasses of bourbon he had before bed made that feat impossible. All sorts of odd things happened in this town but Marsh felt a sense of camaraderie with all the chaos, it didn’t drive him away from the places he would go. There wasn’t much to do in a town like this which he preferred. If he’d wanted to be immersed in sweaty bodies on a dance floor he’d go to Las Vegas, but that wasn’t who Marsh was.
As the coffee came he sighed with relief, a quick thank you to Ronnie as the deep brown liquid was placed before him. There was nothing better than a good cup of black coffee. He took a ginger sip and then a larger one, feeling the burn hit the back of his throat. It took a bit longer than usual but the food arrived and Marsh felt himself smile. “My god that looks tasty.” He immediately took a bite and swallowed it down before he was regarding Ronnie again. “How’s Mikey?” He asked, trying not to give into the urge to read Ronnie’s mind before he spoke. Ronnie was generally pretty truthful so it didn’t make much sense to invade his mind like that when he’d just have to hear him say the same thing.
Wagyu took time.
It was the best cut of steak money could buy and it wouldn’t be rushed even for an impatient customer. If there was one thing he was serious about it was food and he wasn’t compromising. The eggs were cooked last as they took nearly no time at all. But before too long the plate was prepared and he brought it out to his friend.
“Steak and eggs for my bro,” Ronnie remarked, proud. “Best you’ll ever eat, I guarantee it.”
A grin at the compliment and Ronnie leaned against one side of the empty booth to chat for a bit. “He’s good. Same old hotness, different day.” A soft chuckle. “Really though. We are looking at places to move. Trying to find a good spot around here.”
He chuckled at Ronnie’s remark about Mikey and began to cut up his steak so he could chew it. He knew it was good steak and didn’t cost an arm and a leg like it might in Vegas so he was going to enjoy it. “Where are you looking to plant?” He asked Ronnie. He’d be sad to see him go but he understood more than most that sometimes you just needed to pick up and move on.
“Hope it’s not too far, I’d hate to see you leave. Who else can look in after Rudy while I’m at the watering hole? Speaking of which, don’t suppose you could peek in on him tonight. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long one.” They all seemed that way lately. He’d give a key to his trailer to Ronnie for that reason.
“Oh, around here. We won’t go far.” That was the plan, anyway. Transplanting Mikey somewhere far away wasn’t something Ronnie was comfortable with. Mikey had too much here, work and family being the most important things. Which meant he would be sticking around for the long haul.
Taking care of Rudy was something he looked forward to. While he was more partial to cats, he’d do nearly anything to help a friend.
“Hell yeah, man! I love Rudy. I can pop by on the way home.”
“Thank you kindly.” He replied, another load off his shoulders to be able to make it through the evening. There had been no shortage of interesting nights at Lucky’s and he never had a clue as to what might go down at his job. “How’s everyone holding up over here?” He could only assume things were a bit crazy here too, this place didn’t do anything but.
Marsh was a person who cared, cared about the people in this town who were holding everything together somehow. He only wanted to make sure the townsfolk were taken care of. He couldn’t quite help himself and so he let the thoughts come through. He heard Ronnie’s thoughts about staying, saw how it was a requirement more than a decision based on want. “More important, how are you feeling about this move? You happy to be staying close to home?”
“You know, man,” he sighed. Most people were used to the crazy occurrences that took place and the others...well, that was why the real-estate was so good right now. “It’s about the same. I think everyone just gets used to the crazy.” That last part was said quietly and he made a face afterward. He nearly died in McDonald’s, he understood the implication of the danger that lurked around the small town.
When the move came up, Ronnie nodded and grinned. “Yeah! I’ve been away for a long time, a decade or more. Being back here is like being home.” He didn’t really see himself anywhere else.
Marsh wasn’t there to witness what happened at McDonalds but he could hear the thoughts forming around it in Ronnie’s head, could feel the terror that still grasped around his heart. Trauma like that was never easily moved past. “What about everything else? How are you feeling after…” Ronnie knew what he was referring to and he hoped he wouldn’t have to spell it out for the other man.
It wasn’t as if he was trying to play the therapist anymore, he knew that part of his life was done. It’d be a miracle if he ever got another good job, his career was over when it had barely started. But this, this wasn’t his job, this was one friend checking on another and he was trying his best to make that distinction.
“Just taking things a day at a time, man. You know? It’s all really anyone can do.” Whatever was in the past could stay there. He couldn’t go back and change anything, prevent stuff from happening, cure anyone or bring them back. That was not a gift or curse he would want for anyone.
Maybe he repressed a few things, too, but then he was a human and humans tended to do that.
Ronnie wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He just fluttered through life and took what came with the care or attention it needed.
“You want more coffee, or are you good?” He smiled a bit, waiting for an answer.
He’d obviously struck a chord, that much was certain but if Ronnie didn’t want to talk about it then he couldn’t force him too. He wasn’t getting paid to do that anymore. When the question for more coffee came he nodded his head. All the coffee in the world would be necessary to wake him up today. “Yes please.” He never left his manners in Durango and he wouldn’t leave them for as long as he lived.
He began to eat his meal as Ronnie went off to go get the coffee carafe. The steak was incredible and the fine quality of the meat did not go unnoticed by Marsh. By the time Ronnie had returned his meal was done, ready to be washed down with a cup of coffee. “Thanks Ronnie, don’t know what I’d do without this.” And his help with Rudy, he didn’t have his momma and his baby sister there to watch after him while he was gone anymore.
“Hey man, no problem. I’m always happy to help out a friend!” Truly he was. It was as if the universe had dubbed him some sort of guardian Angel in a sense. In an odd, twisted sense.
He poured the coffee for Marsh, filling the mug neatly.
Whether it was making food, checking on someone’s place, helping someone get back on their feet, or making pie, he did it without question and without expecting anything in return.
“Really do appreciate it.” He said one more time before putting cash on the table plus a healthy tip for Ronnie. He didn’t horde his money like he used to, saving up some sort of nest egg for a future he wasn’t sure he’d even make it to. He quickly downed his coffee before scooting himself from the booth he’d found in the corner of the restaurant. He tended to try and stay away from the majority of folks so as not to get tempted to read their minds, he rarely ever liked what he found there.
“Send me a text if anything happens, ok?” He didn’t happen too often but sometimes on a walk if Rudy wasn’t on the leash, he’d find a nice distraction and run off.
“Thanks man,” Ronnie said, looking at the cash on the table. There was plenty of it, more than enough to cover the ticket. “I’ll text you later for sure!”
A wave and then the coffee carafe would be set down to get the bill tended to. Marsh had been more than generous, even in the time they’d gotten to know each other. It was also hard trying to converse at work when the people around weren’t rowdy enough to muffle a back and forth communication.