Holes and Rings

 “Holes and Rings,” by Maldys Shrubb

    The road leading to the old tavern was windy and littered with potholes which frequently filled up with rainwater.  The parking lot of the tavern was especially in a state of disrepair.  Only the most careful drivers and regulars at the tavern knew how to avoid them without some kind of damage to their vehicle.  The owner could have fixed them, but he rarely desired entertaining new patrons.  He thought it was a good way to keep strangers out his bar.  Should anyone dare to venture down the road, he also knew a reliable mechanic not far from his establishment.  He would recommend them to the mechanic.  It was a symbiotic, yet somewhat corrupt relationship.  The mechanic was also one of his most trusted regulars.  The mechanic was named David, but everyone called him Chip for some reason.  The two swarthy men were both fond of collusive schemes.

    There was a prominent university in the city several miles from his tavern, which brought students into the area.  The owner would periodically receive rowdy students who would create a ruckus during sporting events that played on the television, make an awful mess, and rarely leave suitable tips.  The experiences the owner had with these sporadic college visitors, cemented a feeling of justification for his poorly maintained private road leading to the tavern.  The name of the tavern was “Mike's Place,” after the last owner.  The new owner was named Owen, and he never bothered to change the sign.  He liked to be asked if he was Mike, which was another red flag that someone wasn't a regular.   Owen was the type who relished generating obfuscation.

    After a rather nasty rainstorm, Owen walked out of the bar to check to see if any branches or small trees had fallen on his private road.  During his walk to the back road that led to his bar, he noticed a flicker of light reflecting off one of the waters filled potholes.  The shimmer of something metallic became more pronounced as he walked toward the pothole roughly 2 feet in diameter.  He saw something metal at the bottom of the murky water reflecting the morning sun's rays.  He pulled his sleeve up and reached his hairy arm into the hole.  He felt around momentarily and pulled a gold wedding band from the water.  He looked carefully at the band and noticed an inscription on the interior of the band.  The ring was covered in much which obscured the written message.  He dipped the ring back in the hole then vigorously shook it off.  It read: “For Mike, with love.” 

  

THE END