Location: Key West, Florida, USA
Summary: A funny memory from a trip to Florida with my mum, when a forgotten promise from years earlier came back to haunt me in a lively bar on Duval Street.
The Story
The year my dad passed away, I took my mum to Florida for five weeks. Just a day or so after his funeral, we flew out to my home in Orlando. The plan was simple, to put my house up for sale and give Mum a break from the endless phone calls she’d be getting from well‑meaning relatives checking in on her.
As it turned out, the house sold the very day I listed it, and for much more than expected. That bit of luck meant I could move forward with my plans to resettle in Spain far sooner than I’d imagined.
After the sale went through, we set off on a road trip through Florida. We visited the Everglades, stayed in a small hotel, and took one of those big airboats that skim across the water at ridiculous speed. From there, we drove down to Key West for a few days of sunshine and relaxation.
The Bull & Whistle
One afternoon, Mum and I wandered into the Bull & Whistle bar on Duval Street. There was live music playing, so we sat at the bar to enjoy a drink and listen. The place wasn’t busy, but I noticed one of the barmaids kept walking past me without stopping. Mum waved her over and ordered a vodka and tonic for herself and a beer for me. The barmaid served Mum straight away but didn’t pour my beer. We thought she hadn’t heard, so I ordered again when another barmaid came by.
We listened to the band for a while, finished our drinks, and turned to order another round. Once again, the same barmaid ignored me completely but served Mum instantly. The other barmaid came over and poured my pint. After this happened a third time, I asked the second barmaid if I’d somehow upset the first one. She smiled and asked if I remembered coming into the bar a few years earlier with some friends.
The Forgotten Promise
That’s when it clicked. A few years before, I’d been in Key West with my friends Martin and Sean, and my cousin Dave. One afternoon, Sean and I had stopped at the Bull & Whistle for a few beers. We’d been chatting up the barmaids, and I’d hit it off with one of them. She’d taken a shine to me, and I’d promised to come back a few weeks later, take her up to Orlando, and show her around Disney World. Needless to say, the beer had done its job, I completely forgot about the promise.
The barmaid who was ignoring me that day was the same girl I’d promised to take out. Her friend, who was serving me, had also been working that night years earlier. The forgotten date hadn’t been forgotten by them, and the first barmaid had made it clear she wouldn’t serve me again.
Mum and I stayed for a few hours, enjoying the music. She was served immediately every time, while I had to rely on the other barmaid for my drinks. It became quite funny after a while, mum found it hilarious that I was being punished for something I couldn’t even remember.
Back Home
A few days after we returned to England, I took Mum to the Working Men’s Club where I was a member. We were chatting at the bar with some friends when Sean walked in. He asked Mum if she’d enjoyed Florida, and she started telling him about the barmaid in Key West who refused to serve me. Sean burst out laughing and asked if the girl had a sleeve of tattoos on her arm. When Mum said yes, he told her the same story, confirming that I had indeed promised to take her to Disney World and never showed up.
I was the only one who’d forgotten.
Looking back
I often wonder what might have happened if I’d kept that promise, where I’d be living, what I’d be doing, or whether life might have taken a different turn. My mistake, my loss. If you’re the barmaid I’m talking about, I’m sorry. I hope you’re doing well and enjoying life.
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