Chapter 17: Regulars

Jocelyn's POV

By noon the principal had put me on paid leave "until the parents settle."

I carried that news into the Saari Tap and didn't tell anyone yet.

The bar was open, and it was full.

Roz had taped a sign to the door that said Closed for private party.

She had crossed that out and written Come in, with a bat drawn under it.

The regulars had heard the radio.

The retired mail carrier sat on his usual stool with a beer and a newspaper folded to the sports page.

He lifted it so I could see the headline.

"I'd like to put this where it belongs," he said.

"Which is?"

"Under the leg of my table. It's crooked."

Two nurses from the night shift, still in scrubs, slid over to make room for me.

Neither of them said a word.

One of them pushed a plate of fries toward me.

"Eat," she said. "You look like a person who's been told she's unwell for a whole day."

"I have."

"Then eat. Unwell people need fries."

I laughed. It came out ragged and surprised.

The plumber who always sat by the jukebox walked over with his cap in his hands.

"Mrs. Rudd. I've been coming here eleven years."

"Jocelyn."

"Jocelyn. I want you to know I was here Sunday."

He nodded toward Roz.

"I watched that man walk in and talk down to you in front of all of us. I didn't like it then."

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