by GoozX
Two blocks down Oakwood Avenue, in the cross section of Pinecrest and Luvhall Drive, stood a small yet homey building. At one floor high, it was smaller than most buildings in the neighborhood. The old sign read Barney's Refreshments.
Walking in, people were greeted by the large, sweet man behind the counter, Barney himself. His jolly belly showed his love for refreshments and other snacks. A visor blocked light from the rather large open windows, and sweat dripped down his brow.
A young man lifted a crate onto the counter. In it was an assortment of alcohol, everything from rum, gin, and vodka, with a few side beverages including orange and grapefruit juice. And he definitely would not forget the maraschino cherries and olives for the extra flavor.
"Wow! Someone is gonna have a fun time tonight! Oh yeah," the jolly man stated with a thick accent as he began to ring up the large sale on the old-fashioned register. "Who am you?" As the bottles cleared away, the large man's eyes opened wide. "Well, I'll be! Samuel?"
"In the flesh," Sam Dawson said with a smile. "How have you been, old man?"
"What a sight for sore eyes. It's been years since you disappeared, boy. How haff life treated you since?"
"Pretty good, I must say."
"With all this liquor, it looks like you shall be having a great time tonight."
"Let's hope so."
"I mean, no one has bought this much stuff since your father in the old days. Now he could throw a part--" Barney paused for a second, remembering what happened. "I'm sorry, boy. I didn't mean--"
"It's okay." Sam looked around and said, "Would you be able to deliver everything to the old place?"
"For you, no problem! What time ya need it?"
"Sixish."
"No problem, m'boy, no problem."
"Thanks. It was good seeing ya, Barney."
"You too, and you better visit more often, boy. It's been boring without ya in town. Of course, there has also been a little less havoc."
With a wave, Sam was gone, back into the busy streets of the city.
"Okay... beer? Check. Snacks? Check. Now to pay some old friends a visit. Time to show them a real party!"
Sam made his way down the street toward one of the local hangouts, a small diner by the docks. Looking in, he vaguely noticed a few people, but one really caught his eye. Her long black hair lightened with red streaks matched the color of her beautiful red eyes, exotic to say the least. Her clothes were dark and almost Goth in nature, a direct contradiction to her smile, which was innocent and sweet.
Sam took out a small mirror. Brushing his hand over his face, he shifted his form, giving him more distinctive cheek bones and a stronger chin. "Something's still miss..." Before he even let himself finish the sentence, he added a goatee and fixed his hair, making it shorter and spiky. "You still got it." With a wink and a smile, he put away the mirror and entered the diner.
Sneaking behind the girl, he tapped her shoulder. She turned, at first not realizing who it was, but with a smile she wrapped her arms around him. "SAM?"
"Hey, Jamie, it's great to see you again."
"I can't believe you're back." With a wink, she said, "We have so much catching up to do, and a lot more."
"Yeah, well, we can start tonight. I'm putting together a little housewarming party. Spread the word."
"For you babe, anything."