Avarice

Chapter 1

Her tired fingers pressed the rag against the richly stained countertops of the Blue Bar. It was late; she could feel herself shutting down. Muffy glanced around the bar, feeling slightly annoyed at the few remaining customers who liked to cling around till closing time. As soon as she thought this Muffy tried to shoo the thought away; these last customers where the ones who tipped the best, and she needed this money to make her trips to the city possible.

The city. She allowed herself a small sigh while she collected glasses, preparing to wash them. She had a love-hate relationship with the city. She missed the convenience of ordering take-out, going to the movies, buying clothes at niche boutiques, and the endless possible dates that often led to nothing. But she did not miss the constant fear of being mugged, gossipy coworkers, and the endless possible dates that often led to nothing. That last part about not finding a good boyfriend especially baffled her.

She lost track of how many dates she had been on. Most of the men she dated were very good-looking, but at the end of the night all of them wanted more than a kiss good night. Her brows knitted together. Why was that she wondered? That statement was not a hyperbole: all the men she dated really wanted to rent her affection. She briefly glanced down at her ample chest; she knew it was partly from the way she dressed, but she had plenty of friends in the city who also dressed like this and most of them found themselves in solid relationships. In fact, one of her old coworkers sent her an invitation to her wedding. She was looking forward to this trip, not because of the wedding, but as an excuse for herself to enjoy the things she missed for a few days before coming back home. She was hoping to meet the one, that one guy who would end her avarice love quest. She was always hoping for her future husband to make himself known to her, to stop hiding.

All throughout life she craved romance, but she never got more than a taste of it through blind dates, dating apps, and speed dating. She pursued men like lottery tickets which only left her emotionally emptied at the end of each outing. Naturally, she would tell her coworkers all about each endeavor because she needed someone to vent her pain to, however, all it did was fuel gossip and judgement from them in the end. At first, they were sympathetic: poor Muffy; she had a bad date, but then they grew tired of the constant let-down men and starting thinking there was something wrong with Muffy. This resulted in a toxic work environment. Muffy could feel her face growing hot thinking about the increasingly clipped conversations from her coworker friends and how they suddenly started inviting her out less and less.

Muffy's chest felt tight thinking about all her bruised memories. She scolded herself for allowing it to become a monotonous patten. She willed herself to shift to better thoughts. She glanced up at Griffin who was chatting with Takakura, the local farmer nearest to the Blue Bar. Perhaps listening in on their conversation would distract her.

"So, when is that guy you've been tellin' me about comin' in?" Takakura took a downed the last of his drink before grunting, "He's coming in another day." Griffin took his glass and handed it to Muffy. "Do you think he'll be any good at managing that farm of yours?" Both men looked up at the hill wear the farm was situated. For a moment only the distant chirp of crickets could be heard making their come-hither calls. Takakura looked back at Griffin with a serious expression. "He's young and doesn't know much about farming, but I believe he's capable if he sets his mind to it."

Muffy perked up. "Oh? That is so exciting! You'll have to bring him over for a drink to celebrate his arrival." Takakura frowned. "He'll be too busy working to do that."

Muffy pouted, turning around to rinse the glass in warm water. Griffin chuckled, "He's got his work cut out for him then. Tell-What's his name?"

"Jack"

"Tell Jack to work real hard, so he can come by some time soon." Takakura's lips turned up in a barely smile. "I'll tell him that." With that Takakura placed some bills on the table and walked out.

Griffin grabbed a broom and started sweeping up the now empty bar. As he was finished up he paused, addressing the woman who looked more like a child in his eyes, "Muffy...try not to get your feelings hurt too bad this time." Muffy, who was just about to head upstairs, turned around, frowning. "You know...I wish you couldn't read me so well; it's embarrassing." Griffin flashed her an empathetic smile before going back to sweeping. "It must be hard for young girls like yourself to find someone here. Truth be told the bachelors are like the backwash at the bottom of all these here glasses. He set his broom aside and handed them to Muffy whose tiny, upturned nose, wrinkled in disgust. "Don't be so descriptive…And Rock wasn't so bad."

"That fella is a bum, but a nice bum as far as bums go. I'm grateful you didn't date him for too long."

Muffy nodded solemnly in agreement. It was nice being with him at first, but when he said he would never work, she knew their relationship would not last. She could just picture herself gray and withered working at the Blue Bar while Rock shambled about doing absolutely nothing. That is not what Muffy wanted in a man at all. She wanted a capable, attractive man who could support a family. She wanted someone to give her lazy morning kisses, admire her cooking, and give her the kind of love she would never have to worry about losing. Muffy sighed inwardly before trudged upstairs, getting ready for bed, and then torturing herself about the possibility of love.