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]

No, not really?

[ He scratches at the back of his neck, a bit sheepish. ]

It's kind of a night. Stuff. [ He stares at the condensation on his bottle, and doesn't turn when he speaks again. ] Mom's death anniversary. Fourth year now.

[larue]

I'm sorry. [ He means it. Losing a mother is hard.

Looking up now and ordering a second of whatever you've had. ]

On me. [ And by way of explanation he shrugs. ] I can relate.