Whenever I have a really long day at work, I like to go to the bar and get something to calm my nerves.  You know, unwind just a little bit.  From a long, and I mean freaking long day.  I feel like it’s worth it to end up on the floor the next morning, somewhere, who knows where, after doing who knows what, for who knows how long, and with God only knows who.

I type all day long as a secretary for a newspaper, a smaller one, but not sleazy if that’s what you were going for.  I take calls and type out stories for the people in the back to perfect.  They’re always about what usually goes on at night after the beacon of daylight goes out and people feel like they won’t be responsible for what idiocy they take part in.  But, life lesson doll face, you will most likely always come to terms with what you don’t even remember from the night before.

I came with this guy who has been bugging me for weeks about going out to get a drink with him.  I don’t particularly like him, but I thought, you know, what they hey, I’ll get free alcohol out of it.  Which is hard to find these days, and if you can find it, nobody wants to know what you did for it and they will pay anything for it.

He has slicked back hair, pants that are too baggy, and a walk and smile as slick as the aforementioned locks.  He’s one of those guys who’s like a bee always going around to every flower and asking a suggestive how do you do with a charming gaze.  Right now, I am sitting here with a shot of Jack and I am not sure which one I am on or how many that I have had, but it must be a lot because I haven’t kept up with which girl he is trying to entertain with jokes at this moment.

The Bartender keeps giving me a funny look.  If he gives me any talk about my bangs I am going to kill my hairdresser.  I knew they were too short.  I don’t care about the current look.  I try to look busy with my drink, because clearly it’s the only company I’ll be having tonight.  I drink the last little bit and the bartender quickly saunters over to refill it.

“Ma’am, I noticed that you were looking lonely.”

“I have a date he just seems to be forgetting who he came with.”

He gives a sympathetic expression and fills the glass with ice and more liquid without asking me to pay.

“You don’t need him.”  He says.

“I know.  Didn’t want to go out with him, just wanted him to finally leave me alone.”  I reply.

“Just let me know if you need anything.”

He could tell that I really didn’t want to talk.

So, I looked around for my date and I couldn’t find him.  I decided to people watch for a bit to pass the time.  You can always tell the girls that try too hard.  Their skirts are just a little too high and their makeups just a little too thick to be innocent.  They hang over everything, walls, chairs, words, men.  The drunks fall asleep wherever they are sitting and are usually alone.  So sad, but true.  The under agers are always the funniest to watch because they look like deer in headlights wandering around like they know they will get caught.  Nobody really cares anymore though.

I look down at my watch and it is almost closing time and there is still no sign of the guy.  I take my last drink and set it down.  I circle my finger around the rim a couple of times and then reach in my purse to gather up my money for my countless amount of drinks.  A hand is placed on top of mine.

“It’s all on the house.”

I look up to see the bartender with a warm grin on his face.

“Thank you.”  I stammer.

He draws back his hand and looks at me for a while and says, “You know, I can walk you home if you would like.”

“No, no, I am fine.”

“I just don’t want you to be out this late.  By yourself.”

“Just rub it in why don’t you.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“I was rude…I’m sorry, I am just tired.  Of everything, especially men, like him anyway.”

“Did you recently break up with somebody?”  He says as he wipes down the bar and some cups.

“Yes.”

“I am sorry.”

“Don’t be.  He was a real putz.”

He laughed.  And said, “Well, would you mind if a real gentleman, such as myself, took you out for some coffee?”

“Right now?”

“Yeah.  There’s this little diner that should still be open.”

“Okay.  But, I’ll pay.”

“No. I insist.”

“Are you sure?  Don’t be a hero.”

He laughed again.  “Positive.”

“Well, okay.”