setting: a random waterhole in a college town

[caneous]

[ Fourbuck is an unusual surname, by most standards. Once every five times Camden's mentioned it, he's had to explain that Fourbuck is his hand-to-God last name. He doesn't really mind it, except for when he does. Like tonight. He's in no mood to be social tonight, knowing what the date is and what it means to him and the man he calls Dad.

Here's to you, Ma, he thinks as he hails the bartender for another drink. The bottle comes to him with condensation all over it, and he spends a bit rolling the bottle from one hand to the other before caving in and turning to the closest person on the bar. The bartender didn't give him a coaster, see, and normally he wouldn't care about that, but— ]

Hey, you mind if I borrow your coaster?

Comments

[caneous]

It's a— there's a thing, okay? Normally I don't give a crap, but. You know.

[ He shrugs like it's meant as an apology, but Camden doesn't have enough heart for it tonight. ]

—I don't see you around here. I mean. I've never seen you around here before...?