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Jess stared at Ashley, eyebrows raised and a big cheesy grin on her face.
    “Why not?” She didn't have anything else to do, and her nap had revitalized her, leaving her full of energy.
     
    As far as bars go in Sweet Home, there weren't too many to choose from. Tonight was buzzing though, as the early arrival of the Jamboree concertgoers  headed out in search of a warm meal and icy-cold alcohol.
    Jess opened the door and entered first, holding it open for Ashley. Ashley had been in here many times before, usually sneaking in with her friends when she was underage.
    It was 9:30 p.m. and the  staff had all but finished clearing up after the evening’s diners. The bar had a long, timber counter that ran along three sides of the establishment, dividing the dining, pool tables and TV sections.
     
    It was so different from her usual drinking spots in the city: people there were more sophisticated—classy, and dressed suitably. It seemed like here people wore whatever they wanted—she even thought she spotted a man wearing what appeared to be pyjamas. It was unrefined, loud and a bit too easy-going. Doesn’t anyone here have any pride?
    Jess waved to several people sitting by the bar, none of whom Ashley recognized. They all smiled and waved as Ashley and Jess walked over. Jess air-kissed them all, then introduced them. Ashley smiled and nodded, hoping she’d heard their names correctly  over the loud, boppy music playing over the sound system.
    The red-haired woman—Nicole?—leaned towards Ashley. She looked almost like a real-life version of Jessica Rabbit. Curvaceous and beautiful. She looked to be in her mid-twenties.
    “Must be a bit of a change from the nightlife you're used to in New York, I'd imagine.” She shook Ashley’s hand. “I teach Meika at school. She's always talking about you—she brings in clippings of your newspaper articles.”
    “That's so sweet. I can't take all the credit though. My job is far less glamorous across the bridge in Brooklyn. I mostly design the layout of the articles before they go to print. I don't actually write any of the articles, although I'd love to someday. If I'm lucky enough.”
    “Well, Meika thinks highly of you. She told me when she grows up she wants to go and live in the city and work at the Brooklyn Times with you.” Ashley laughed. “She's so creative, I'm sure she'd fit right in!”
    “What are you drinking?” Jess asked Ashley as a bartender waited to take her order.
    “Uh, I'll get a beer,” Ashley replied.
    “Hmmm,” Nicole eyes formed slits and she pouted her ruby red lips. “I figured you for a champagne girl.”
    “When in Rome.” Ashley smiled.
    Nicole looked momentarily offended.
    Jess interrupted, handing Ashley a large glass of beer.
    “Thanks,” Ashley said raising her glass.
    Jess turned her attention to Nicole. “So, Nicole, how are you settling in? Does this feel like home sweet home yet?” Jess grinned and turned to Ashley. “Nicole moved here about six months ago from Eugene. She finished studying and landed a job here, and we're so happy to have her.” Jess wrapped her free arm around Nicole’s shoulder and giving her a tight squeeze.
    “It is beginning to feel like home. The kids are great, and the parents are awesome.” She flashed Jess a quick wink. “The men aren’t too bad on the eye either.” Grinning, she took the straw between her teeth, motioning with a nod of her head to the sports section at the far side of the bar.
    Jess and Ashley glanced over to the dozen or so men who filled the old leather tub seats. It was hard to see in the dim light, but most of them appeared to be either well beyond their fifties or labourers from around town and the surrounding districts.
    “Ahhh, I see,” Jess said giving a knowing nod. Ashley frowned, not knowing who Nicole was referring to. After all she had been away for over eight years. Who knew how many people had moved in—and out of—Sweet Home during that time.
    Nicole