She's living the dream.

I watch as she sips her wine and laughs. I watch her flirt, tossing her blonde hair off her shoulder. She is having the time of her life.

LIVING THE DREAM BY BRANDY MONTILIONE 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 35

As I stand behind the bar looking past the shelves of colored liquor bottles and through the window, I see her walk along the crosswalk heading in my direction, her lips in constant motion keeping the conversation afloat. I shift my position to get a better view of who she is talking to, but she is alone.

She walks through the door and stammers head-heavy over to her favorite table. I greet her with a cocktail napkin and a smile. She orders wine and maybe some bread, and gets back to her conversation, ignoring me only until my services are again needed. I bring her wine and bread, and she thanks me as I turn to leave.

I return to my post behind the bar and observe her. I watch as she sips her wine and laughs and engages in gossip. I watch her flirt with the open space in front of her…