Coffee by gren blackall Read Free Book Online

table nearby, and quickly acquired three sets of
darts from the proprietor. “I’ll sit this one out,”
Knut complained, as he realized her plan.
    “No
way! I’ll point you in the right direction, you watch.”
    Warren
went along, amused at how she might pull it off. They played 301,
giving Knut the advantage of not doubling in or out. Etty won each
match with ease, and Knut enjoyed the warm attention of Etty while
she guided his arms and directed his stance.
    “Either
you’ve played this before, or you’ve worked out a trick
with magnets. I’ve never seen so many triple 20’s,”
Warren lamented after losing the third round.
    “Hell,
I’ve been a professional student for most of my life, I ought
to have something to show for it.”
    By
midnight, their indulgence began wearing them down. They moved to
Henry’s, a quiet corner bar. They took over the couches by
the window with a view out to the snowy street. A blazing fire
behind them reflected dancing orange shapes on the window.
    Warren
spoke solemnly. “You know, there’s nothing I can say to
you guys for today. It’s beyond words. Especially you,
Etty.”
    Etty
had slouched down in her soft seat so her head pushed deeply into
the moldable upholstery. “Oh Warren, don’t get mushy on
us. Without you, Knut and I couldn’t have scrounged up enough
to earn one drink. You’re the star, not us.”
    Knut
added, “Actually, you can thank me for all of it.” Etty
catapulted a peanut at Knut with a spoon. It hit him on the chin.
“Ow! Nice, Etty, you could blind a guy doing that!”
    “You
know, Knut,” Warren still feeling melancholy, “For a guy
who doesn’t know what color his socks are, you manage to see
more than most people.”
    “Sure,
sure, you’re just trying to butter me up so I can earn you
another 18 million.”
    Warren
reached into his pocket and pulled out two envelopes, and handed one
to each of his guests.
    “What’s
this? The bill?” Knut wondered.
    “You’re
each holding a voucher for an all expenses paid trip to any place in
the world for two, along with a little spending money. It’s
the least I can do.”
    “You’re
kidding!” Etty’s sincere excitement shined like a
beacon. “A tropical island? Beaches? Fresh coconut?”
    “Rum
drinks.” Knut spoke. “But, for two? Like I have a long
waiting list of girls who would accept. I’m going with Etty.”
    Etty
breathed deeply, thinking of the warm blue water, then turned to
Knut. “It’s not like you’re asking a girl for a
date, you’re asking one for a trip to paradise. There will be
a line, believe me.”
    Knut
didn’t hide the disappointment that Etty didn’t take his
suggestion, even if it was a joke.
    Warren
stood and stretched. “I guess I’ve had enough. Let’s
go home.”
    Etty
nearly fell back from a rush of dizziness as she tried to stand.
“Whooh. I think that last Jose Quervo went to my head.”
    Knut
jabbed, “Your head went south long ago. You danced with that
waiter, what, three bars ago?” Knut reached for Etty’s
arm and pulled himself up. “Etty, don’t you live up in
the woods some place? Up a big hill?”
    “Yea.”
    “You
shouldn’t be driving anywhere in your car, and it would be
unfair to our limo driver at this time of night to risk his cab.”
    Etty
gave a demure look at Knut, then winked at Warren. “I
suppose.”
    “Well,
you know, I do have a cot. I can sleep in the soft chair in the
computer room. Really.”
    Warren
butted in. “Etty, you are in no condition to even talk to a
limo driver.”
    Etty
didn’t mind the idea at all. She had so much fun this night,
and her blood was swarming with warm feelings. She had no intention
of leading Knut on to anything but companionship. But the thought
of sleeping all alone in that dark cold apartment for what was left
of the night, didn’t thrill her. “What the heck. You
behave yourself.”
    “Gentleman
to the death, m’lady,” Knut said while bowing comically
with an