Abe Meyers

Abe wasn't the sentimental type, and it frustrated him how clingy his brother had become. Perhaps they were both a little a drunk, but Aaron was going overboard. On their way to the next bar, Aaron kept grabbing him in that great bear hug of his, squeezing him and blubbering, “I'm gonna miss you so much!” The funny thing was, Abe had lived in the same city as Aaron for years, but they hardly ever saw each other. Aaron was just drunk, and Abe considered skipping the next bar and sending his big brother straight home.

The only hitch was that Samantha was probably out tonight. It was a Saturday, and unless she was sick, she always went out on Saturdays for a drink. Abe was doing the best he could to hit up all her favorite clubs, but he had yet to see her. There was of course a chance that they had missed each other. While he was heading to Flambourgs maybe she was just leaving, going to a bar he'd already visited. The odds of this happening were actually way too high for Abe's liking. All he could do was keep hoping.

“Do you remember how you used to wake me up? You'd be begging me to read you a story from Dr. Suess or whoever you like at the time.” Aaron was still rambling drunk. Abe didn't have to say anything; Aaron would carry on the conversation all by himself. Although they were brothers, Abe seriously regretted inviting Aaron along. It would have been better if he'd gone on this search alone. Now, even if he did find Samantha, he'd have to pry his big brother off and send him home in a taxi. It was going to be awkward no matter what.

A gaggle of co-eds strutted by in their miniskirts, and although none of them could rival Samantha, Abe still gave them a smile. One of them returned his smile, which he thanked to his new Armani. Aaron didn't even notice, though. He was entirely wrapped up in his story. It's not like he could have gotten a smile from those girls, anyway. He was dressed like a bum. Hell, he was a bum. He was the big brother, sure, but already Abe was showing him up. In just two days, he was getting on a plane to China. In just two days, he was going to begin his life as a nuclear engineer. Meanwhile, Aaron hadn't even completed his Masters. He'd been a good student for years, but then he started smoking pot and got all messed up. Now, he could hardly hold down his job as a grocery-bagger or whatever the hell he was doing.

“Here's Flambourgs.” Abe gestured at the club's doors, which pulsated with the heavy music inside. His own heart was beating just as heavily. It beat this heavily before he entered each of the bars tonight. Would Samantha be inside? Would he get this last chance to bring her home with him? Abe started for the door, but Aaron grabbed him in another big hug. He had to wrestle himself free. “Dammit, Aaron! Stop that!” His big brother just grinned stupidly.

Abe straightened his shirt and then went for the door again. The bouncer hardly even glanced at him, but his eyes lingered on Aaron's shabby clothes. Abe crossed his fingers, hoping that his brother would get turned away at the door, that they'd have to have their tearful farewell now. It wasn't meant to be, though. The bouncer glanced back at Abe and then waved Aaron in. How ironic. Abe's Armani had impressed the bouncer enough to gain admittance for his unwanted brother.

Flambourgs was packed tonight. The music was loud, but the roar of drunken chatter was even louder. He had to push himself through the crowd, which mostly consisted of men a good seven or eight inches taller than him and Aaron. He didn't bother looking back to see if he had lost his brother, either. Aaron would just have to keep up tonight. It would do him some good. And anyway, Abe was on a mission. He was looking for Samantha. The problem was, he couldn't easily find her in this crowd. Eventually, it was clear that she wasn't even here. Dammit.

When he turned back around, Abe found that his brother was gone. Great. He started worming his way through the crowd again, this time looking for Aaron. The oaf wasn't by the bar. He wasn't in the bathroom. He wasn't picking up his cell phone, either. Well, fuck this. Abe was leaving the country in two days, anyway. He shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way to the door.