August 17th, 2016

"Hey, hey, are you okay?" a voice called towards me.

There was a loud gushing of water as I lifted my head off the counter. The raw stench of alcohol came from me. My vision was blurry as the image of the bar took shape. Standing inside of it was the likeness of a mercury red hair goddess. How many times had I come here, and we had not even said much to each other?

I straightened myself up before I babbled incoherent words.

She laughed at me so loud that my head turned around the bar realizing no one was there. The bar lights reflected on the brown and yellow walls and ceiling. The empty pool table sat on the left and through a window, I saw the rain falling. My gaze fell upon my favourite worn stool that I was seated on.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Everyone has already left. You had a bit too much to drink, and I didn't want to wake you."

"Sorry, was I keeping you back?"

"No, not at all besides the rain is falling."

I rubbed my eye and stretched and looked at the time in the bar. "I am surprised that I haven't been chased out earlier by the owner."

"You don't have to worry about that I am in charge here."

"Really?"

"Yes." She chuckled as she shined a glass."I don't look like the boss?"

"No, not at all."

"That reminds me, you have been coming here for so long and I haven't gotten your name?"

"Domenic." I scratched my face before looking away. "I have been taking advantage of your hospitality, haven't I?"

"No, not at all Domenic."

"What is your name?"

"Zora."

"Zora," I repeated the name, noticing the smile on her lips.

My finger ran across the wedding ring on my finger for a subtle moment. I wanted to know more about this woman. This was the first time we spoke, was this right?

I stumbled over my words as I got up. "Can I use the bathroom?"

"Sure."

I got up and headed towards the bathroom. Inside, I looked at myself in the mirror. This wasn't my best appearance my eyes were barely open and my clothes were a mess. I dabbed the water lightly on my face and used the toilet. I washed my hands and left. Walking back to the bar, I saw  seated beside my favourite chair was Zora.

"What brought you here tonight?" she asked me as I approached.

"My mother is in the hospital. She keeps telling me not to worry, but---"

"But you worry anyway," she said as she gazed at me and then towards my ring.

"Yes, and my wife hasn't been the most supportive." My hand ran through my hair. "You know, sometimes it's like she doesn't care at all."

I took my seat back down on the chair as I looked through the window watching the rain eased up. She was silent. I got up contemplating that now I would have to leave to go home and how would I explain being here for so long.

A hand touched mine slightly. "You know, if you ever have any problems. You can feel free to come and talk to them with me."

I turned and gave her a smile before I left the bar. I glanced at my phone and saw I had a few missed calls all of them were from Mallory and a message.

Her message read: Where are you, don't drink yourself to death.

Betty the old girl sat outside the carpark and looking cross at Nelson Street it was empty. I walked across towards her before finally giving a last turn to the bar.

'Feel free to come and talk' maybe I will take her up on this.

I opened the door and put the key in turning the engine on.  The radio played on channel 191.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster. To give you a future and a hope."

***

It had taken a while of slow driving, but I was home at last. I headed up the steps towards my apartment. Now in front of the door, I took my time to open it.

The light was on, but no Mallory to greet me with an angry face. I took my first steps in. The TV was playing the show, Inyanga's Star. Sleeping in the chair was Mallory, her arms were outstretched. I pressed the button on the remote to turn the TV off.

I contemplated whether I should turn off the light as I took off my shirt.

"You're now getting home?"

I hadn't seen her face, but I knew she was mad.

"Alcohol? Again. That won't solve anything."

Mallory was still the same as always, I walked towards the bed, taking off my clothes like weight. Her words were drowned out in my mind.

Tomorrow I will go and visit my mother again.