I only had ninety dollars but it didn’t matter. I sat myself in the corner booth where I could be away from the music and still see. The lights were dim and the waitress came by and with a beer bottle and a frozen glass.
“Are you ready to order?” She asked sweetly.
“No. I think I’ll have another before I eat. Thanks dear.”
“Of course. You know, I’ve never seen you drink before.” She set the bottle down and smiled. She was pleasant though I had not noticed before. I guess I notice more now. I cleared my throat to speak but she was called over by a man at the next table over.
The beer was cold and good. I drank some and poured the rest into the frozen glass. The beer was colder now and that was good too. I looked out the window and watched the snow begin to fall. It was pleasant to watch but it felt good to be warm inside.
I took off my coat and looked around. The sun had come down and patrons were steadily filling in the tables. Three men sat at the bar. Two young men just old enough to drink had their eyes fixed on the flatscreen. A man about my age sat on the other side of the bar had his back turned towards me though I could see he was nodding off and fighting the urge to fall asleep.
After awhile the waitress came back with another beer and another frozen glass. I did not need to ask and that’s what I like about her. Soon after she came back with my sizzling steak though she hurried away. All the tables were full now. The game was playing and the music was loud so I turned to face the window.
I ate slowly. I poured salt on the chips and the steak and the onions and the rice and I even poured salt on the tortillas. There was nothing left to do but enjoy the meal.
I do not know how much time passed but when I looked up there were only a few people left in the restaurant. Through the window I could see a fresh coat of snow falling on the sidewalk. Thinking of leaving made me cold. I was not ready. I picked up the bill off the table and looked around for the waitress. I wish she hadn’t been rushing around tonight. Talking with her always made the food better. I waited a few more minutes but she never came back.
I put my cash on top of the bill and took my pick of the empty barstools. The old man was asleep now and the bartender was wiping the bar top. The two young guys were still fixed on the game that played on the screen that hung on the wooden wall.
“Beer please. The one in the green bottle.”
“Yes, sir” Said the bartender.
“Brutal. That’s way too easy. He’s wide open every drive.” Said the short young guy.
“Told ya not to take em.” Said the young tall guy.
“If they can just get a field goal, they’ll cover.” said the short guy’s voice was starting to crack.
“They need a touchdown. You need a field goal. That’s how the game is played. It’s all rigged man.” Said the tall guy.
“And the Bills had a great kicker but he’s got a bum knee. They have the rookie in now.” I repeated something I heard on the radio.
“There you have it.” Said the tall guy to his friend while throwing his hand in the air.
“Wait, wait. How much have you got on the game, mister?” The short guy inquired.
“Oh I haven’t bet in a long time. No. I’ve seen where that goes. And I gotta tell ya my friend, I don’t like how this one is going for you.” I told him.
“Watch them march down the field and kick it in.” The short guy said to me.
“Did you listen to a word I told you?” Said the tall one, apparently to himself.
I sipped my beer and watched the game. These were four sip drinks now as we moved deeper into the night. Just as the short guy said, the Bills marched down the field and prepared to kick a field goal between the posts.
“I can’t believe they’re gonna kick it. Here’s your chance.” Said the tall guy to his friend.
“Come on rookie.” Said the short guy said quietly to himself.
We all watched carefully as the rookie kicker hooked the football far off the mark.
The short man groaned and slumped over on the bar top “What am I gonna do now?”
“Told ya not to take em.” The tall one couldn’t hold back a grin.
“Do me a favor guys. Throw one back with me, would ya?” I called over to them. “Barkeep, three shots of your house tequila.”
“Gold or silver?”
“Gold.”
I scooted over a few stools and the bartender poured three small glasses.
“You know if you were my grandson I’d tell ya two things. I usually don’t say anything but tonight I will. First off…” I paused to catch my breath. “Never write checks you can’t cash. Only bet what you can lose. There’s no predicting these things. Now let’s shake it off and take this shot. Cheers gentlemen.” We clicked glasses.
The tequila burned my throat but it did not matter.
“How much do I owe ya?” I asked the bartender
“Twelve bucks.”
I paid the bartender and turned back to the conversation. The tall guy covered his mouth and excused himself.
“So what’s the second thing?” The young man reminded me.
“Oh that’s right. The second thing.” I leaned in and spoke privately. “What are you listening to this guy for? Stop asking for permission. And stop being so damn scared.” I was drunk with advice.
“You’re right.” He picked his head up a bit. “Thanks mister.”
“Don’t mention it. And remember. I’m just an old kook so best to trust yourself. Now I better be off before I end up like this guy here” I looked over at the sleeping man.
Before I could stand up and the young man came over shook my hand. I walked back to my table and the money was still on top of the bill. I pulled out all the money in my wallet and stacked it all in a pile. I felt another bill in my back pocket. I pulled it out saw it was one hundred. I must have meant to give it to her. I folded up all the money in the paper bill and walked back over to the bar.
“Can you make sure this all goes to Daphne?” I asked the bartender.
Between my condition and the condition of the roads I thought it best to walk. I passed my car as I made my own path in the fresh snow. The wind was blowing but cold air felt good on my face. I blew clouds of smoke and looked up at the dark sky as I turned into my subdivision. I could see my house now and across the street I saw my neighbor smoking in his garage. His dress shirt was coming untucked which revealed some recent weight. I pulled out a smoke and joined him. Inside the garage was an old Dodge with an open red toolbox on the hood.
“What’re you doing walking around this late? Its freezing out here.” He shivered.
“I’ve just come from Sigmunds. Thought I’d walk and clear my head before bed.”
“Wish I could retire.” He took a long drag.
“What would you do?”
“Well…I guess I’d get out of this damn cold for one…Yeah. I’d like to go to Florida. My brother’s got it made out there.”
“I don’t mind the cold. Though you could use some sun, bub.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing, nothing. Some sun would do ya some good is all I’m saying. I’ve just been at Sigmunds you know. You should have been there.”
“I have a wife and daughter.”
“That’s good. Very good….Yes, That’s right. You should be with them.” I pulled out another smoke.
“You know I’ve never seen you smoke so much.” He squinted as he looked me up and down.
“I’m getting it out of my system. Plus it helps on a cold night. Think I’m quite done now anyway. I think this should be my last cigarette. Yes. We should both quit. You and me. Last cigarette. What do you say?”
“Oh I don’t know about that. I’ve tried quitting before. Just helps with work and with the kid and all that. Long days ya know?”
“Hmmm. Tell you what. Let’s make a deal. Would you do that for an old chap?”
“Alright, sure. What is it?”
“Let’s agree. Last cigarette.” He started to cut me off. “Wait, wait. Last cigarette. But if you wake in the morning and still want one you can forget it. This is my last one though, bub. It’s time to quit this old black dog.” I handed him a fresh stick. “Last cigarette.”
“Alright, what the Hell. One more and I’m done too.”
“Thanks, bub. You enjoy that then go be with your family.”
I shook his hand and patted his back as I began towards my front door.
“Hey, you know anything about cars? I think she’s a goner” He nodded his head at the old Dodge.
“Not really” I told him. “But let me see what I can do in the morning.”
He nodded and thanked me and took what should be his last drag.
It wasn’t a fair bet. He still had a choice. I already quit so many things since the day I coughed up all that blood. I quit seeing doctors and getting second opinions. It took me ninety years to stop being so selfish but I quit having regrets and trying to change what happened. I quit drinking too, except for tonight. Old habits die hard I guess.
Time was short but it didn’t matter. I did as much good as I could with what I had. And that mattered. Life was enjoyable now.
I went inside and signed a note to get the car from Sigmunds so my neighbor could have it. I had not been cold since that bloody day but now I desired a warm shower. After a long steam I laid in bed and read the novel that had been sitting on my nightstand for some time. Its was about an old detective who gets pulled out of retirement for one last case when he realizes his personal life is involved. The story unfolded neatly which kept the pages turning. It seemed like the detective was breaking through as my eyes grew heavy and relaxed and I fell asleep without setting an alarm.