Chapter 12 - Peg Leg Pete's Bar and Grill

Copyright 2011 John R Wilhelm

Peg Leg Pete’s Bar and Grill
By
Jack Wilhelm

Chapter 12 Whirlwind Christmas Season

“Everybody ready for Christmas,” Honey Bunny asked as the coots all readied to down their first for happy hour?
There was a chorus of “no’s” after everyone finished their first of the afternoon.
“You probably are and don’t know it,” Honey Bunny continued. “The women do all the shopping and readying anyway,” she jibed.
“I don’t have a woman,” Joe commented, “will you do my shopping for me?”
“Only if I can buy a present for myself.”
“You’re on! See me after we’re done here.”
“What is this,” Pelly grumbled, “a two person conversation?”
“Anyway,” Jerry cut in, “have you all been taking advantage of all the activities of the past few weeks?”
This question brought a nodding of heads and a chorus of “wouldn’t miss them for the world.”
“One of the great things about the Island,” Al commented, “is there’s three cities so there’s three times the events.”
“You’re right,” Joe said. “Three cities, three governments, never agreeing on anything.”
“Keeps the developers from totally destroying the Island,” Jerry said sourly.
“Whole different subject,” Honey Bunny brought the happy hour conversation back on track. By the way, my glass is empty.”
She hardly had the words out of her mouth when Kelli arrived with a tray of fresh ones.
“You look great this afternoon,” Joe commented.
“Thank you, Joe. You know flattery will get you everywhere.”
“How about we get together later?”
“You haven’t flattered me that much yet,” Kelli shook her booty enticingly as she walked to the other end of the bar to serve customers there.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” Joe finished off.
“Which open house did you like best,” Honey Bunny continued.
“I liked the Holmes Beach bash the best,” Al said.
“Why,” Honey Bunny bored in.
“First, they are all together. Anna Maria City merchants are all spread out from Gulf Drive through Pine to the Anna Maria Pier. My feet can’t take the long hike anymore.”
“Bridge Street is all together, too,” Jerry commented, “unless you walked all the way out on the pier to see the Lighted Boat Parade.”
“Yeah,” Al chimed in, “but they had almost everything raffled off but nothing was free.”
“But,” Jerry pointed out, “most of the proceeds were donated to charities.”
“I’m an old retired senior citizen,” Al rejoined, “I like free. Holmes Drive merchants all had spreads and punch or wine,”
“Personally,” Honey Bunny commented, “I like J and J Printing’s hot mulled rum and open fire. That was so warm and friendly. All it lacked was a window to look out on the snow.”
“Of course,” Joe said snidely, “there wasn’t any house, any window or any snow.”
“Details,” Honey Bunny snorted, “can’t you use your imagination?”
“Imagination is all I have left,” Joe snapped back, as he ogled Kelli as she came with another round.
“I enjoy Rudy’s sub shop up on Gulf Drive,” Jerry noted. “They always serve pieces of sub sandwiches. It was so good, I ordered a whole one to take home.”
“There was one thing I thought odd,” Pelly stated. “Rotten Ralph’s was serving BBQ in the Sun Plaza in Anna Maria City. Then they didn’t have anything on Bridge Street where the restaurant is located.”
“I noticed that. too,” Honey Bunny said. ”I guess you were supposed to order drinks or a meal.”
“I really enjoyed the lighted boat parade,” Pelly stated.
“Took an awful long time to get from Longboat Key to Cortez though,” Jerry noted.
“Did you have any important engagements you had to make,” Joe laughed. “I enjoyed the land parade as well. I have enough beads and candy to last me until the next parade.”
“Only problem,” Jerry said, “is the poor aim of the people throwing the candy and beads. I can’t bend over any more.”
“Get a grabber,” Joe said, “that’s what I do.”
“My problem with all the parades except the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” Honey Bunny chimed in, “is there’s never any bands.”
“That’s because the St. Patrick’s parade is short. All the others run the full length of the Island. The kids in a marching band would wear out with all the walking.”
“Put them on a float,” Honey Bunny snorted, “or just have small bands or singles. I’ll bet Mike Sales would be only too happy to be in a parade. More publicity for him; more entertainment of us.”
“Why don’t you suggest it to him next Friday when you go to listen to him at the Manatee Public Beach?”
“Just might do it,” Honey Bunny noted.
Kelli arrived with another round.
“This is the last for me,” Pelly stated, “I have to go home and get dinner started.”
“You’re just a party pooper,” Honey Bunny teased, “Carolyn’s right in the other room playing Bingo. She doesn’t care if you have another.”
“You don’t know the wrath of a Cajun woman who doesn’t get something she wants when she wants it.”
“This is not a bad thing sometimes,” Joe leered.
“You’re right,” Pelly leered right back. “Night y’all!"

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