It's Midnight Somewhere

The 5th chapter.

       The day came faster than Wes expected. She got up and had some coffee, black, and a short stack. The gala wasn't
until 6:00, so she had some free time. She fed Doc Holiday and Daisy.
"Wanna go for a walk, Daisy?"She said in an embarrassingly high baby tone. Daisy’s bull head shot up so fast it might break.
       "After you eat, babe. I gotta get dressed." She left for the bedroom closet. She stopped short when she got there.
"Of course she had to..."she muttered. Daisy had chewed another part of her dog bed.
Whatever. Now, on to the important stuff, Wes thought. She flung open the closet doors.
What to wear, what wear...ah.She settled on a blue t-shirt and jeans.
       Weslie quickly put it on and scurried downstairs. Daisy plopped down to be harnessed. The latch clicked and Wes was
pulled out the door.
       "Daisy! You pull any harder and my arm is gonna come out of its socket!"
       Daisy spotted a squirrel. She bounded off at near light speed and practically climbed up half of a birch tree before
the squirrel got too far away. Wes had to pull Daisy away, claws clinging to the bark, just to go any farther. Weslie
walked over to Aspen's to see if she was hyperventilating yet. Sure enough, she was. Wes walked into a bedroom of chaos.
       "Why are you here? You should be getting ready! Oh my god, my hair! My makeup!she gasped.
       "Ok," Wes said calmly, “Slow the hell down. It isn't till 6:00 at night."
Aspen shot back, “And it's 10:00 now! We got to get moving! Come on, you shouldn't be here. Go home, now."
"Just don't hyperventilate before you go."
Wes and Daisy left Aspen speeding around her bathroom in exasperation.
"Maybe I should get ready now...” She said out loud to herself.
***
       Weslie stepped down the stairs with a grace that almost didn't fit her. Daisy had on a face that looked like a dog's
 version of shock, if there ever was one. Wes heaved a great sigh. Her heels clicked along her cement driveway as she
strolled to her white Dodge Challenger. She turned the key in the ignition and the diesel engine roared. The butterflies in
Wes's stomach multiplied. She passed the Courthouse where she worked at the edge of town, and minutes later the Challenger
was in the large hall's parking lot. Weslie Chevelle got out of her car and smoothed her exquisite gown.She pushed open the
heavy oak doors.
 Dr. Seely Malroy was chatting with a good friend and colleague when Wes pussyfooted into the room.
       "Well, how do you think-"
       "Shut it, Anthony. I’m going somewhere else now."His gaze led to a beautiful woman, one with pride.He had started
his stride in Wes's direction when she met a nicely-dressed man and they walked off together.Dr. Malroy turned away in
disappointment.
"What were we talking about?"he said.
***
       "Well, you're sure a knockout tonight, Wes."
       "Let's skip the pleasantries, Butch.Hey, have you seen Cal? He was supposed to be at the door."
Butch grimaced. He had never liked Cal, and standing her up? Not good. Something else must be up. But Butch, the nice guy,
said that he hadn't seen Cal and that maybe a close friend would know where he is.
       "Ugh.You're gonna make me talk to Derek? The slobbering emo skater boy? Really?"
       "Does he have any other friends?"Butch replied.
       "Fine. I’ll go find him. Maybe Cal is late."
       "I highly doubt that."Butch murmured.
Weslie walked over to Derek, who was wearing a tux and hair over one eye.
"Derek, have you seen Cal?"Wes said with as little disgust as possible.
       "Uh, no. He’s picking up his girlfriend from L.A. at Brownsville Airport. Didn’t he tell you?"
A wave of emotion washed over Weslie as if she were an eroded shoreline.
       "What?"she said, trembling.
       "Yeah.I'm shaken up that you didn't know too."
       Wes took in a shaky breath, but it didn't stop her from crying. She ran out the back door.Dr. Malroy saw all of it.
He was very casually watching her the whole time. Seely ran out with her.
He caught up with her sitting on the back steps of the banquet hall, sobbing.
       "What did he do to you?"he asked.
Weslie got some strength up and said, “He din't do anything. His jackass of a friend did."
       "Tell me.” he said gently.
Weslie mulled it over.
       "Fine. I was-I was in love with this guy. Tonight was our first official date. He was supposed to meet me at the
door.Instead, I had to find his disgusting friend and have him tell me where he was. Brownsville Airport. Pickin' up his
freaking girlfriend from L.A. Wait-why I am I telling you this?"She said. Wes hugged herself and shivered from the wind.
       "Well,” he began, “I’m your psychologist. I need to know how your mind works."
       "You're not gonna ask me how it makes me feels?"Weslie asked.
       "I can figure it out on my own.” he replied.
       "Smart cookie."Wes mumbled. Seely laughed softly.
       "Here,” he said, “Take my jacket. You’re obviously cold."
Dr.Malroy handed her the black jacket.
     "Can you make it home?"Seely asked.
       "Yeah.I can make it home alright."
       "OK.Goodbye."He said.
       Wes got into her car and drove to her favorite bar. She parked and sat on the counter.
    "I want a Jack and Coke, Robert.And make it quick."
    "You got it!" Robert replied.
     And Weslie Colt Chevelle proceeded to drink the night away.