“Are you guys absolutely sure this is the place we need to go to?” 21-year-old Mart Belden said, staring up at the building.

The brick exterior looked as if it was from the early 1900s and that if someone sneezed, the entire structure would come crashing down. In the windows, there were lighted signs signifying the various types of beer the establishment served. The windows were also covered in bars and large metal screens.

He turned to look at his three best friends, only to see them grinning at him.

“Guys, I understand it’s a rite of passage to go out to celebrate your 21^st birthday, but do you really think this is the place?” He glanced at the closed door and then back at the others. “I mean, I’m probably going to have to get shots after this just for being in the building.”

His older brother, Brian, placed a hand on his shoulder. “Well, then you are just lucky that I’m here. Having gone through administering shots in school, I’m quite certain I can give you a tetanus without too much pain. I mean, the bruises will fade after a while.”

He glared at his brother who smiled evilly as his other two friends chuckled in the background.

“Come on,” said Dan Mangan as he approached the door. “This is the best place to come and we are all of age now.” He pulled the door open. “All of us Bob-White males are over 21 and we can truly celebrate.”

Mart was pushed in front of them so that he was the first to encounter the large security guard. They saw Mart swallow as he handed over his ID as proof that he was of age to be there and could legally drink. The guard looked at the ID and then looked at Mart.

The blond-haired young man couldn’t understand why he was under such scrutiny. He WAS 21. The staring was starting to make him uncomfortable, but he didn’t want to break his gaze away from the guard. His feet started shifting and he really began to question their decision to go to this bar.

As he was about to suggest they go somewhere else, the guard handed Mart his ID back and nodded for all of them to proceed inside.

Mart turned to look at them and saw they were holding in laughter.

He pointed his finger at all of them. “You set me up!”

Their laughter filled the air as Dan pushed Mart further into the room and guided him over to a vacant table that he saw. They sat down at the rounded booth with Mart stuck in the middle.

“When I turned 21, Brian and Jim brought me here,” Dan said. “I had the same reaction as you during the stare down.”

Mart huffed as Brian slid in beside him. “When I turned 21, some of my college mates brought me here, so it just seemed right to continue with sharing this experience.”

Mart shook his head. “I honestly thought he was going to grab me and toss me out the door.”

“They have to be thorough in checking ID’s or they could lose their liquor license,” Jim said. “For business owners, they need to protect their livelihood.”

“I guess you’re right,” Mart said. “So, since I am now legally able to drink, what do you suggest for my first foray into the plethora of concoctions of this fine establishment?”

Jim looked at Brian. “Do you think that if we get him drunk enough it will affect his vocabulary?”

“It might just make it worse,” Brian said as a waitress approached the table.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” she said looking at all of them. “If you’re all drinking tonight, I need to see your IDs.”

“But we got checked at the door,” Mart said, even though he pulled his ID out and showed it to her.

“Those are the rules,” she said as she looked at all of them. Once she was done, she said, “What are we drinking?”

Before Mart could say anything, Dan pulled the waitress close and whispered in her ear. He leaned back and said, “I want a beer.”

“Same for me,” Brian said.

“I’ll take a coke,” Jim said.

“You’re not drinking?” Mart asked as the waitress walked away.

Jim shook his head. “I’m the designated driver.”

“We could have always come here in a cab or called the girls to come pick us up,” Mart said.

Jim waved his hand. “It’s fine. I didn’t even drink on my 21^st.”

“You didn’t?”

Mart asked.

Jim shook his head. “After spending time around Jonesy who was constantly drinking, there are too many nightmares associated with alcohol.”

“So, what did you end up doing for your 21^st?”

“Brian and I joined some friends here,” Jim said. “We came out on a school night and we used that as a good excuse not to get wasted. I actually talked to the waitress before she brought the first round and asked her to make sure whatever she brought me was non-alcoholic. She was a good sport about it.”

“That was nice of her,” Mart said. “Now, wait. The waitress left before I could order a drink.”

“No worries,” Dan said, leaning back in the booth with a grin. “I took care of that for you.”

Mart’s eyes went wide. “You did?”

Dan smiled devilishly as his best friend.

“Maybe we need to go somewhere else,” Mart said. “We don’t have to be here at a bar. I know there are some good restaurants and some that have AMAZING buffets that we spend the night binging on.”

“Nope, this is a rite of passage as you said and you are going to enjoy this evening in all its glory,” Dan said.

“And hopefully he will remember it in the morning,” Brian said.

Mart looked at each of them in turn. “You’re going to make me suffer, aren’t you?”

“We are going to celebrate this milestone birthday and enjoy a night out as friends,” Brian said.

The waitress approached with a tray. She set down the beers in front of Brian and Dan, and the class of coke in front of Jim. Four shot glasses were set on the table. In front of Mart was a tall glass with the colors of a sunrise.

“What is this?” Mart asked.

“A Tequila Sunrise,” the waitress said. “Your food should be out shortly. Enjoy.”

“Thank you,” Dan said and picked up his shot glass. “Happy Birthday, Mart!”

“Happy Birthday,” Brian and Jim chimed with shot glasses in their hands as well.

They all downed the shots.

Mart winced at the taste and immediately reached for the Tequila Sunrise. He took a sip and then a longer one. He swallowed. “This is pretty good.”

“I knew you would like it,” Dan said.

“You’re had this before?”

Dan nodded. “It’s not a bad drink, but I prefer beer.”

“Then why didn’t you get that for me?” Mart asked.

“Because as more experienced adults, we need to make sure you try different drinks to find your favorite.”

“As long as it’s not any really girly drink,” Mart said.

“I guess his next one will be a cosmopolitan or a Shirley Temple,” Brian said.

“I don’t think so,” Mart said.

The waitress returned to the table with a large serving dish heaped with chicken wings, chicken fingers, fries and pizza logs. She set down additional plates so the could take what they wanted.

She placed her hand on the back of the booth seat. “Is there anything else I can get you right now?”

“Actually, he is going to need another drink,” Dan said with a sly grin.

“Not a girly drink,” Mart said, putting some food on his plate.

“He seems to feel very adventurous for his 21^st birthday,” Dan explained.

“Ahhh,” she said. “How about instead of your friends picking your drink, I do it for you?”

Mart stared at her for a moment. “You’re not in cahoots with these guys, are you? I have a feeling they are trying to get me completely wasted to video me doing something really, really stupid.”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that to anyone. But I think I know just the right drink that you would enjoy.” She smiled at him. “Are you game?”

Mart stared at her for a moment. He cast a glance at the other three and it didn’t seem like she knew them personally and that eased some of his concerns.

“Okay,” Mart said. “I trust you. It’s my birthday and we are here to celebrate.”

Her smile grew bigger. “I will get you that drink.”

She winked at all of them and walked away.

“I think she likes you, Mart,” Dan said.

“What’s not to like?” Mart said. “No woman can resist the Belden genes.” He popped fry into his mouth.

“And what would Di think?” Jim asked.

“Ahhh, my sweet, sweet Di,” Mart said. “The beautiful flower with the most amazing heart.”

“And the alcohol has kicked in,” Brian said.

“Nope,” Dan said. “Not yet. He’s like this any time her name is brought up and they’re not together. They are true sweethearts.” He took a swig of his beer. “And at times it’s nauseating.”

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have a maiden of your own to dream about when you are apart and hold close when you are together, staring into one another’s eyes,” Mart said, letting out a sigh. “Sitting close together on a cold night, her body pressed tightly against yours trying to share the warmth so you don’t freeze.”

“Eat,” Brian said putting a couple chicken fingers on his brother’s plate. “You need to eat.”

He didn’t hesitate to pick one up and take a bite as he thought of his raven-haired girlfriend who was back at the house working on her assignments due the next day. He would have preferred to spend the night celebrating with her, but she had promised a special birthday surprise that weekend for just the two of them and he honestly couldn’t turn her down when she smiled at him.

She was perfect for him and he honestly could see them getting married in the future. He barely looked at any other women. She had a hold on his heart and he was going to do all that he could to make sure she held it close for all eternity.

“Here’s your pizza,” the waitress said, placing the steaming tray in the middle of the table and forcing Mart out of his thoughts. He looked at the pizza seeing all of the toppings he enjoyed – pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, hot peppers, sausage and pineapple.

He reached for a slice and went to set it on his plate after taking a bite, only to notice he had several bones on his plate from the chicken wings he must have eaten. The appetizer plate was missing.

“This is good,” Mart said.

“It will help with the alcohol absorption,” Brian said.

“I don’t understand why people allow themselves to get so plastered,” Mart said.

“Some drink just to drink and others drink to obsess and don’t pay attention to what they are consuming,” Brian said. “Some don’t cut themselves off or don’t eat enough to absorb the alcohol. Some have very low tolerance for alcohol and some others can drink and drink with no changes to their personalities. Each person is different.”

“That’s true.”

Mart reached for his Tequila Sunrise and saw that his glass was empty. He looked at the others and saw that theirs were still close to full. He furrowed his brow. “Where’d my drink go?”

“You finished it,” Dan said.

“Oh,” Mart said. “Okay.”

He took another bite of his pizza.

“And here comes our waitress with another drink for you,” Jim said.

She moved to the table and set the drink in front of Mart.

“What’s this?” he asked as he took another bite of his pizza.

“A triple orgasm,” she said.

Mart choked on his pizza as the other three started laughing. He quickly chewed his pizza and swallowed.

“That can’t be a real drink,” Mart protested as the laughter subsided to chuckles.

“It is,” the waitress said. “You said nothing girly and I can tell you, that drink is definitely not girly.”

She smiled and walked away.

“Well, go for it,” Dan said. “She had that made especially for you.”

“Bottoms up,” Mart said, taking the glass and swallowing a large gulp. “Not bad. But I think we need more pizza.”

Dan laughed. “I’ve got another on the way.”

When the second pizza came, Mart quickly polished off half of it on his own. When they were done eating, they moved away from the table to the open pool table to play a few games. Mart had switched to beer like Brian and Dan, who still seemed to be on their first glasses.

The music was loud and he was having a good time, doing some simple shimmying as he moved around the table to line up his next shot. After each shot he started dancing to the next spot alongside the table. He was having a great night and was glad to share it with his fellow male Bob-Whites.

He set the edge of the pool stick on the ground and spun around. He stumbled when he bumped into someone.

“Watch it!” a male voice yelled over the music.

Mart righted himself and looked at the guy. “I am so sorry about that. I wasn’t paying attention. Please accept my apology.”

Mart took in the man he bumped into. He was an older guy, probably in his 40s, wearing a leather vest over a black t-shirt promoting a hard rock band. He had a long beard and tattoos all of his arms.

“I hate it when pups come in here and get plastered,” the man said to his friends. “They act like they can do whatever they want when they can’t hold their liquor. This is a bar, not a dance hall.”

“I am sorry,” Mart said. “Can I buy you all something to drink to make up for it?”

The man stood up and looked down at Mart. He swallowed knowing this was not going to end well.

“You honestly think buying me something to drink will make up for you getting drunk and not paying attention to what is going on around you, pretty boy?”

“It wasn’t done on purpose,” Mart explained. “I didn’t see you and I did apologize.”

“I doubt you are even old enough to be drinking,” the man said, taking a step toward Mart, backing him into the pool table. “You look like you should still be in diapers.”

“Sir,” Mart said, but the man pushed in even closer.

“All right, everyone,” the security guard said coming over to them. “Enough is enough. I think all of you should head out.”

“You’re kicking us out?” the man asked, incredulously, turning slightly, allowing Mart to shift away from the man.

He dropped the stick on the table and hurried over to where Dan, Brian and Jim were standing.

“I’m not kicking you out. I’m kindly asking you to leave on your own.” He looked at the four male Bob-Whites. “I’m asking them to go as well.” He looked back at the man. “If you feel you cannot go as asked, I can forcibly escort you off the premises or call the cops to do it. The choice is yours.”

The man stared at the security guard for a moment. He looked at Mart, squinted his eyes and then headed to the door with his friends.

Mart let out a breath and closed his eyes. He knew he could’ve become a stain on the floor from the size of that guy.

The security guard walked toward them and Mart opened his eyes. He said, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was. I know I was in the wrong. We’ll go peacefully.”

The guard nodded. “I appreciate your willingness to go. Just give it a couple minutes because I don’t want you to have to run into that guy outside.”

“We need to settle our bill and we will go,” Dan said. “Thank you for stepping in before things could have gotten really bad.”

The guard nodded and headed back to his post by the door.

The four of them went to the bar and paid the bill for their evening of drinks and fun.

The guard opened the door for them as they approached and headed for the parking lot.

They quickly got in the car and Jim pulled away from the establishment.

“Well, that was an interesting evening,” Mart said.

“I think it was quite enjoyable,” Dan said. “And this night will definitely be a story to share.”

“How so?” Brian asked.

“In honor of Mart’s 21^st birthday, he went to a bar and got into a bar fight because he was dancing as he played pool and got kicked out after bumping into another guy after drinking a Triple Orgasm.”

Mart buried his face in his hands. “Oh geez. “

Brian and Jim laughed.

Brian said, “That will be a story we will tell for years to come.”

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into going to a bar for my birthday,” Mart groaned. “I thought you were my friends.”

“We are the only four that know what went on tonight,” Jim said. “And if you decide to embellish the events of the evening to put yourself into a better light with your raven-haired maiden, none of us will rat you out.”

“Except about the triple orgasm,” Dan chuckled.

“Maybe I should have gone for a Shirley Temple,” Mart grumbled.

They all laughed.

The evening had been fun, even with getting kicked out and would be something they would remember for a long time.

Mart knew his 21^st birthday would be a memory he wouldn’t share with anyone, but his three best friends.