The Man In The Bar

Sober Enough To Drive

   It was loud, and smelled like whisky and smoke. My work. I've been here every day, all day for the past two years. So has he. He does not work here, but it sure as hell looks like he does.

It's 11:30, he is coming in the door with a obvious outline of a gun in his pocket. 

"The usual" he says to me. A shot of whisky and a Coke. He seemed different today. He looks upset. His head is down and he is playing with a necklace that he wears everyday.

"Is everything alright...sir?"

"Don't call me sir. I am not an old man okay? Dean. And no, everything is not alright"

"Do you care to talk about it....Dean?" It felt weird using his name.

"Nope"

"Fair enough. Here ya go" I handed him the Coke and Jack. He took the shot of whiskey and he looked at the Coke.

"I don't need this" he handed me the glass of Coke. "I need another shot"

"Really bad day huh?" 

He scoffed and took another shot. He put the glass down and used his sleeve to wipe his mouth.

"You didn't tell me yours" he said to me without making eye contact.

"What?"

"Your name. You didn't tell me your name"

"Oh. Uh.. Emma"

"Nice."

"Uh yeah. Thanks." he's kind of cute... Wait. No. Stop it Emma. Goddammit .

"Uh... Is everything okay?"

"Yeah i'm fine." I rest my hand on the counter casually and I miss, sending me on the floor.

"Oh Shit! Emma are you okay?" he ran over to me and grabbed me by my arm and pulled me to my feet. He looked at me and smiled and we just sat there for a moment and looked at each other. Wow....... You've got to be kidding me. I look at my outfit to see that is is covered  in alcohol. I reek.

"Shit" I say under my breath as I look at my shirt.

"Here." He hands me a towel. "Come with me, back to my place. I will get you some clothes."

Hold up. I have seen this man around, but I just learned his name. He wants me to go to his house? Thoughts rushed through my head. He  could rape me. Or kill me. Or hold me hostage in his house for 30 years. 

That's okay, I thought. Nobody would give a damn if I was dead or alive. 

"Okay"  really Emma?

He grabs me by my hand and walks me outside to a beautiful '67 Impala.

"Damn!" I say. "Is that a 67 Impala?!?"

"Yup. It's my girl. You seem to know cars.."

"Yeah. My dad taught me the works. I haven't seen one of these in so long! Last time I saw one was when he-" I looked down

"What?"

"My father.. passed away when I was 16. My mom died when I was 4."

"Oh, I'm sorry i-"

"It's fine"

"Hey.. Um. My Mom died when I was little too, and my Dad is gone..."

"Oh no. Any siblings?"

"Yeah. A  stupid brother. I have no clue where he is."

"We are in the same boat then."

We laughed and he ushered me to the car and opened the door.

"After you"

"Absolutely not"

"What?"

"I am not getting in that beautiful car all dirty."

"Fair enough. We'll walk. My place isn't too far from here. Besides, I am probably not sober enough to drive."

"True." 

"Then walking it is"

I giggled and we walked down the street.