Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 104

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 104

The only reprieve from his gloomy outlook had been his early-morning swim with the Masters’
team last Thursday; for a few hours, his head felt clear. His body moved in patterns that had
been drilled into it since he was seven, and his thoughts slipped into a near-meditative state. He
knew he was going to be okay, but it still hurt knowing that Eli was not going to remain in his life
in any meaningful way. Surely he was allowed to mourn that for a little while?
Not too much longer, though. He looked at the spangled clock above the bar while he helped
one of the line cooks refill the meatball station. In a few minutes, the year would be over, along
with the self-imposed time limit on wallowing over Eli. Once that clock struck twelve, Nick was
resolved to pick himself up and get over this bump in the road. Already his brain was coming up
with peppy kernels of wisdom, like “whatever the outcome, reconnecting with Eli gave you a
better sense of yourself, and that’s not nothing” and “it’s completely valid if someone doesn’t
return your feelings; you’re still a good person, regardless.”
Penny clambered atop an upturned wine crate behind the bar, cupping her hands into a
megaphone. “Ten-minute warning! Everyone, make sure you get some champagne for the
toast!” Dozens of plastic flutes were already lined up along the bar, and servers zipped around
delivering them to each table.
Sandra appeared at Nick’s side and nudged him in the ribs. “Care for one, sir?” she asked,
presenting her tray with one lone flute remaining.
Nick shook his head. “You take it. In fact, tell all the servers they can have one if they want. I’ll
bring some to the cooks too. We should all toast together.”
“But not you?” Sandra’s eyebrows—streaked in multicolored glitter for the occasion—lifted.
“No thanks. I’m okay.” Nick didn’t feel much like drinking tonight. No reason. Definitely not
because he was pining for someone who also wouldn’t be drinking if he were here.

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“All right,” Sandra said, and disappeared to spread the word to the other servers.