Piano Bar

From his spot at the opposite side of the piano bar he watched her through the shadowy recesses of the crowd. If he could just keep her from staring directly at him there’s be no chance that she would even notice.

His movements placed him just outside the grasp of the light. With each step he pulled the next shadow to himself as if he could call the darkness. Each step fell out of time with the music. The light sound of the grand piano wafted on the air as she played.

With the band accompanying her and the concentration all of this was taking there would be no way she’d ever pick up on his presence. When the distance between himself and the riser where the she and the band played was far enough he stopped to observe.

His back came to rest against the wall and he settled as the sound of her voice flowed back into the music, “In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble—they’re only made of clay, but our love is here to stay.”

She was a young girl but there was something similar in her style to that of a Maureen O'Hara or one of the long past stars of yesteryear. Of course he could remember a time when Cleopatra was the hot shit. And long past was a relative thing.

“Girl’s been here since three or four days ago,” came a melodic voice at his side. A small hand touched his shoulder.

He glanced down into the iridescent baby blues of a blonde in a sparkling dress.

Though he’d never seen her face before, he recognized her in an instant, “Dressed well these days, aren’t we Muse?” He clasped the stem of his Martini glass, swirling it once and then downing it in one go.

“Sweetheart, I own this place,” she said. “And the name’s Angel these days.”

He stared down at her without a word and then glanced up to sit his glass on the overhanging trim that lined the wall. With a short sigh he shook the condensation from his fingers and stuffed them into the pockets of his slacks, “What can you tell us about the girl?”

“You mean other than what you can tell at first glance?” asked Angel. “Not much to know, she’s a half-breed and the new Angel of Death.”

He shook his head, “She’s inherited the Pale Horse?”

Angel nodded, “She even renamed it Apples.”

“Gah, what became of Darius?”

“Fell in love, quit a few years back,” Angel answered.

“And she was appointed years later with His ineffable approval? What does He think He’s doing?”

Angel snatched a drink off a passing cocktail tray, “I’d tell you to ask Him yourself but that’d only be if you could find Him.”

“He’d meet me on Sinai or some other allegorical spot if I so desired to speak,” he scoffed. “I don’t.”

“That’s good to know,” Angel said. “Because He’s disappeared.”

Now the man turned to leaned out to look at her, “Well, I must admit, this is a new trick for Him. Can’t say I’m not pleased but how does an omnipresent being disappear?”

“How does a middle-aged Jew walk on water?” she glared at him. “Don’t ask me stupid shit—He’s God, He can do anything.”

“And you’re down here, how did you learn of this?”

Angel chuckled, “I stay in the loop, Gabriel came in here blubbering like a pussy a while back saying he had vanished—didn’t concern me much really, I got my parting gifts when I quit.”

“The club?”

“Money,” Angel said, “And this body, the tits alone have been almost as helpful as the cash.” She paused for a moment, “You wanna feel ‘em?”

He shook his head, “Think I’ll pass, my dear.” His eyes fell on the girl on the stage, she’d started a new song a few minutes back, “What’s her name?”

“She just goes by Dee, the reason why should be obvious.”

He moved from the wall, “I should be going, too much longer and she’ll sense me.” He stopped in front of Angel.

“She already has, but she doesn’t care, she doesn’t have reason to because she’s never even seen you in person,” said Angel.

“Still I should go,” he begins to walk away and then steps back, “Yofiel?” he calls to her. When she looked up he kissed her on the forehead, “Farewell, little sister.”

His steps carried him back through the crowd, tugging the shadows to his will as he moved. And as if he hadn’t taken a step, he felt the familiar tug on his arm.

“Luce…” Angel was right behind him. “Is there a war coming?”

He glanced back, “Certainly looks like it, I hope our Lady Death is ready for it.”

Angel turned toward the stage and she felt him pull his arm from her grasp. Before she could snatch it back the door several feet away was opening and he was outside.

Dee glanced up from her piano as he fled, but only for a moment and she settled back in. her dark girls sliding down to brush at the sides of her cheeks as she played.