SNEAK PEEK (on 2 pages)
As I walked into the bar, I knew Id made the right choice. The place was jammed with people at the bar and every table was full. A three-piece combo played in the corner and a few couples were slow-dancing. I assumed that most of these people were locals, as the tourist trade this time of year had to be sparse. However, St. Michaels does such a fantastic job of creating a Christmas ambiance throughout the entire village that many of these folks might be tourists trying to recreate the feelings and sights of Christmases past.
I looked around for a seat and noticed one stool available at the bar. I walked over and asked the lady on the stool to the right if anyone was sitting there.
She smiled and said, Not till now. Have a seatand Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you too, I responded.
She smiled and went back to her conversation with the gentleman next to her. On the stool to my left sat this giant of a man I guessed to be about seventy years old. His hair was snow-white, as was his long full beard. He was dressed in bib overalls, a navy turtleneck sweaterthe kind that fishermen traditionally wearand a red plaid wool coat. He also sported something I admire about men his age, a perpetual smile. I chuckled to myself thinking, Here I am in Christmas town and I actually got a seat next to Santa Claus!
Good evening, I said, I cant believe how packed this place is for this time of year.
He smiled and said, Lot of tourists right now, but the locals will straggle in as the night gets older. And just who might you be, young man?
That expression sounds so good to this tired fifty-year-old and always makes me smile. Jason Kirby, formerly from the Jersey Shore, but as of today a resident of St. Michaels.
Well, welcome, he said. Captain Joshua Cramer at your service. My friends call me Josh, but you can call me Mr. Cramer. He laughed loudly and slapped me on the back. Just kidding, Josh will do just fine. Exactly what brings you to our fair little town?
After the air returned to my lungs, I said, Actually I was in the real estate business for thirty-five years and packed it in a few days ago. Too much pressure and too many years. My wife left me a few years ago and most of the older folks in my family passed away over the last five years. Then out of the ashes, as they say, I started writing poetry. Last July I published my first book and its selling fairly well. Now Ive decided to write a novel and couldnt think of a better place to work, so here I am.
What about family?
I have two beautiful daughters, one getting married in a couple weeks. The other one has been married several years and has my three wonderful grandchildren in her care. I also have a cousin living up on Worton Creek, just about forty-five minutes from here. I say a cousin, but he and his brother are like brothers to me, and the three of us are just about all thats left of our original family. So, I intend to stay as close as I can to keep some kind of hand on the past. Well, thats about it for me. How about you?
The captain slowly leaned back on his stool and I sensed this was going to be a long story so I said, Wait a second. I waved the bartender over. Would you give this gentleman another beer and Ill have another diet soda.
Josh observed, Not drinking, must be a reformer.
No, I said with a laugh, congestive heart failure in 82, one day to live, the whole bit. I couldnt drink with all the medication I was taking at the time, and when they finally told me it was okay for me to have a couple, I really didnt miss it anymore. So I figured what the hell, and havent had a drink since.
Damn, he said, for a young guy, you sure have waded through a lot of shit!
I laughed. Now you got it, Captain. Thats where all the books come from. Now, lets get back to you.
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