Morey’s Wake
“What a schmuck,” murmured Gordo, swigging from a bottle of Coors. “Still owed me twenty bucks. Now I’ll never see it.”
“Hey, Morey was a nice guy,” countered Amber. “He gave me my Tilda, and she’s great.”
Sasha sniffed. “Didn’t give you a weddin’ ring, though. Shitty deal, you ask me.”
Morey lay stiff and starched in the coffin. The mortician had dolled him up special. Amber wanted the bruises and cuts hidden and four missing front teeth replaced. Morey looked like a million, and Mr. Burry wasn’t making out too bad, either.
Morey was laid out at Sharkey’s Bar. The owner couldn’t refuse. After all, Morey was his muscle at the door for twenty years. Mr. Bury fussed that a bar was hardly a place for a mortician of his stature, but an extra five bills took care of any objections.
By noon, everyone was drunk, and Morey? At least you couldn’t smell him, what with the beer and perfume and Mr. Bury’s scented flower arrangements. Not much high-brow drinking, mostly beer, but they tipped Louie extra. Dino got all homesick for Crete and started in on the ouzo too soon… he fell flat off the barstool. People stepped over him discreetly.
“You know, Amber,” said Louie from behind the bar, “I’m gonna miss that bastard. He shouldn’t oughta got mixed up with that fix at the Downs. Backfired, and now here he is, all dead and shit. Sorry.”
Amber downed a quick lime-tequila-salt slammer and said, “He was in the right place at the right time with the wrong luck and no gun. I told him, ‘Morey, take some protection,’ but then again,” another shot of tequila and a grimace, “I told him to use protection with me, and that’s how I got Tilda.”
Morton “Morey” Kelley, aged 52, eulogized by a chorus of semi-friends and a couple of enemies who sang along with Credence on the jukebox and slipped Amber cash. And the occasional tongue.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Trifecta: Third definition of “Observe”: To celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way. This is as customary as it gets in my family! As for “Mr. Bury,” there actually is a funeral home in Buffalo named “Bury Funeral Home.” And Sharkey’s is in my hometown, Binghamton, best spiedies going and the whole place smells like old beer and marinated pork.
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
Wowee, that’s a cracker. The dialogue is brilliang. It would make a stage musical!
Sharp Little Pencil
I’d do it, but “Tuesdays with Morrie” is already on the shelves, and I’m sure they’ll get desperate enough on Broadway to put it to music!! Thanks, Viv. A.
Steve E
“…and the whole place smells like old beer and marinated pork.”
Welcome home, Morey!!! To the bar–and to the hereafter.
“Honey Billy Bob, just WHERE you been?”
…”Remember Baby, it’s Tuesday, and I spent the morning with Morey!”
Amy, you write SO well, it is as if you’d been there.
Sharp Little Pencil
Steve, I didn’t see your “Tuesday” reference until after I wrote the last response. Uncanny! You crack me up. Welcome home, indeed! Peace, Amy
El Guapo
Great story, and an excellent answer to the challenge!
Yeah, I’ve spent time in this bar too…
Sharp Little Pencil
If you tell me you have actually been to Sharkey’s Bar and Grill in Binghamton, NY, I will die of happiness. Best and worst joint EVER! Amy
El Guapo
Crap. Now I have to go to Binghamton?
I was there once as a kid. In summer. It was like Brigadoon – I think they’re only open when college is in.
I’ll put it on my list – love me a good bar!
Sharp Little Pencil
Binghamton was once called by The New York Times a “burnt-out industrial upstate city.” Binghamton took umbrage. Not I. It IS that and more. They stupidly moved the university to the burbs (a trend in the 60s) and downtown died. But there are some cool places, and Sharkey’s is a must-see. Then, in the morning, after your hangover kicks in, check out the Lost Dog on Henry Street. Great brunch and a Bloody Mary!! A.
Debbie
Wonderful, wonderful writing, Amy! Wow! I think you have a novel in you somewhere! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Deb! I’ve heard it said everyone has one novel in them, but most never get the confidence to put it to paper. Imagine if everyone in the world were given the funds to get their novel published, nothing fancy, paperback. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? A
leesis
just wanted to say that that was a good read Amy. Thank-you…I love a good read 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Leesa, thanks so much for taking time to comment. I love a good read, myself, especially Thomas Hardy! Amy
Lindy Lee
Just long enough to make it a short story & just short enough to make your reader hunger for more. Have a picture perfect mental snapshot of the whole scene, right down to the “stiff & starched” Morey. All hail you, the great short story writer, SharpLittlePencil…
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Lindy, you give me too much credit, I’m blushing! Love your kitty icon, by the way. I love to simply let my pen “go” and this prompt was too good not to try! Thanks again, Amy