Running Northwest by Michael Melville Page A

area were hung on the walls. The front of the bar was corrugated steel, the top was made of wood and there were various car and motorcycle parts and memorabilia hung about. Derrick had mounted four flat panel TV’s in different spots around the bar. Above the bar and completely chromed out was the front portion of an old motorcycle. It had the front forks, tire, headlight, handle bars and the front third of the engine. Derrick had cut the old broken bike up himself and spent weeks trying to figure out how to mount it safety on the wall. Behind the handlebars was a cartoon looking wooden humpback whale with sunglasses and a cheesy grin as the rider. It was also their logo on the sign outside. The bar itself was somewhat dimly lit and gave the place a cool and slightly ominous look. Occasionally Derrick would have bands come in and play he also had karaoke every Tuesday night. That went over very well with the locals during the slower winter months, and the tourists also enjoyed it.
    A few minutes later Derrick pushed his way through the back door carrying a box of Budweiser in his arms and a cigarette in his mouth.
    “What’s going on, old man? How’s your day going? How did the interview go with Alexis today?” Derrick asked as he set the box down on the top of the bar to shake his friends’ hand, then walked around bar to stock the cooler.
    “It went fine I guess. The girls got in an argument but they worked it out. But me and Alexis more or less just talked and caught up. I’m having Alexis hang around the shop for another hour or so with her cousin and let Tracie catch her up on some details. Then I’m throwing her into the fire and having her work tonight,” Thomas said.
    “Think she’s ready for that?” Derrick asked.
    “More or less. She knows what the hell she’s doing. And after she works with Tracie for a bit she will be fine.”
    “Right on,” he said without looking at Thomas.
    Derrick finished stocking the beer bottles in the cooler and grabbed one and went around the bar and sat down next to Thomas.
    “So now that you brought her up, how did Tracie’s date go last night? He asked Thomas then adding “Erin and I ran into them at dinner, ”
    Thomas made a low almost growl, took a hit of a cigarette he had lit and gave Derrick a long hard look in the eyes, slightly raising an eyebrow as he did so. It was a look Derrick had seen many times over the years. And the look usually meant something bad or that Thomas was pissed. After a minute or so of thinking where to start, Thomas told Derrick what had happened the night before with Tracie and her date. And what had happened that morning at the café. After he was done Derrick also sat quietly. Thomas knew that his friend was upset about the situation now also. They were all friends and Erin, Derrick’s girlfriend, had become very close with Tracie.
    “Sucks man; is she going be all right?” Derrick finally asked.
    “I think she will eventually, I think she liked this guy more than what she let on,” Thomas said. “Has Erin said anything to you about this guy?” Thomas asked.
    “No I don’t think so, at least nothing that comes to mind. What are you gunna do about it, anything?” Derrick asked, knowing his old friend would be able to read between the lines of what he said.
    “I don’t know yet, I’m thinking about talking to Jerry Ruiz, he’s the kid’s boss. But Tracie asked me to stay out of things like this, and I’m sure you know why,” Thomas answered in a low voice as he was looking at the TV hanging above the bar.
    Derrick smiled “That I do man, that I do. So are you gunna do what Tracie asked then?” he asked.
    “Haven’t decided yet, but for now I asked Tracie over for dinner tonight. Daniel misses her, and it will give us a chance to talk more about it,” he told his friend.
    “Aww, what a nice boss you are. You never take me out for dinner,” Derrick said in a girl sounding voice and laughing.
    “No, seriously man,