Summer Soap, Part 8: A pub gatecrasher... and tempers flare up

Adam:

“I said it’s hypocritical,” Bran repeated, taking a seat by the younger woman.

Leah peaked through to me from the other side of the bar, but only gave a shrug. First, some kid buying the couple a round. Then Ariana being on a tear. Now another bit of fuel thrown into the mix. It was going to be a long night.

“And if Alexis would have me for this interview,” he continued, “I’d love to go back and forth with you on this love you speak of.” He smiled like a reptile.

“Nope, no. I’m not doing this, Bran.” Alexis cut in: “We’re not doing this.”

“No. Let’s hear it,” Eric snapped. “What does your lousy-self think is wrong with how my wife and I love each other?”

A sneer had locked his jaw and his eyes looked as though they were trying to set the man ablaze.

“Cute,” Bran laughed. “Oops, I’ve forgotten my drink. Forgive me a moment,” he said and slipped back around the corner.

No more for him! Leah mouthed to me through the opening.

Yeah, no shit. I mouthed back but was drawn around by the trio yell-whispering behind me.

“And who the hell is he?” Ariana screeched.

“Bran... he... he’s some creep I have a history with,” Alexis responded. “I’m sorry. I thought the last time was just a coincidence but I think he might actually be following me. I’ll leave and that might make him lose interest, but I can’t guarantee he’ll ease off the topic with you two. I’m sorry,” Alexis repeated and went to stand.

“No.” Eric raised a hand to stop her. “No, I hope he doesn’t. Let’s hear what has to say.”

“Missing me?” Bran called in response, smiling gleefully as he returned to the seat, beer in hand.

The three did not respond, only giving a blank stare, glare, and scornful smile in response. I folded my arms and leaned against the wall across from them. I’d allow it for now but in turn each of the four’s eyes traced over to me, acknowledging that they’d have to keep this calm.

“Ah, well. I’ll just take it as a compliment.” Bran took a long sip, before resting the glass on the bare bar, without a coaster. “So, as I was saying - thank-you, Alexis, for having me - you’re being hypocritical.” He leaned out from his seat to point at Ariana.

“Pardon?”

“Well, the little bedtime story your father told you is all fine and dandy, if a bit optimistic.” He lowered his voice: “And a bit fatalistic if you ask me. But that’s not my problem.”

“You got that right,” Eric mumbled under his breath. “But I’d argue you have a couple more than one.”

“I take issue,” Bran snapped a glare at Eric before returning to Ariana, nose upturned, “with how you relate it to your current relationship. You speak of this grand loop, reincarnation and falling in false love, then reincarnating and falling in false love. But then how are you so short-sighted to not see that you’re doing the same thing right now?”

“What? Falling in ‘false love’?” Ariana asked incredulously. “Well, I can see clear as day that you never received a warm hug from your mother, never mind been in love. The only answer I can give you, boy, is that you wouldn’t get it.”

“Ugh,” Bran exhaled in disgust. “I hate how people fall back on that, it’s too easy.”

“Or maybe you’re just too sad,” Eric interrupted.

“How about I put this in simpler terms for you two, then? That way you can actually keep up and respond in depth.”

All the while, I watched Alexis flit back and forth between them. She was caught in the middle but remained silent even as her agitation grew, eyebrows knit into one hard line.

“If we take your story to be true,” Bran continued, “then it must be also true that these people do not remember their previous reincarnations, no?”

A lull hung between them for a moment before Ariana realised Bran was going to wait. “Sure,” she said flatly.

“So, it is then rational to say,” he flew back into his point, “that every incarnation has thought exactly as you do now. That this is the one, because it has to be. And because you know nothing else.”

“Lad, I’ve been alive long since before you were a thought in your dad’s nether-regions,” Eric said. “I’ve seen other relationships. Felt other relationships. Ariana and I wouldn’t have been together for all these years if this wasn’t something special.”

“Even with how she treats you?” Bran responded, unimpressed. “I’ve been listening in for a while, forgive the eavesdropping. But besides that, I’ve seen what you call special. Isn’t that right, Alexis?”

He continued without waiting for a response, even as her mouth opened in protest. “And all that I’ve seen points to me being correct. Each reincarnation just falls into false love, and yet everyone just lies to themselves that this must be the one! Because it has to be.

“You know what, I’ll even give you that, you made a great point there.” He nodded in Ariana’s direction. “Love just comes from exhaustion and the desire to rest. But I think you’ve got the source wrong - so, so close that you were - because I think it’s an exhaustion from others.

“An exhaustion from the societal and internal pressures to fall in love, ‘settle down’, and have a family. And sweetheart,” he extended a hand to Ariana, “do you have children? Because maybe that’s why you feel this relationship is so special; your biological clock is running out.”

Eric slapped Bran’s hand.

Alexis leapt to her feet.

But I was the first to speak. “Hey!” I snapped. What had happened with Leah was one thing, but this was too much.

“Eric,” I warned, hand outstretched in peace. “That’s enough. You.” I pointed at Bran. “That’s more than enough. You’re done. You can keep drinking, just not here. It’s time for you to leave.”