“Having Fun”
By Adam Gentry
It was a quiet night, even for a Sunday, but Jon didn’t mind. Sports fans rarely needed much: another beer, someone to share the cheers, nod in agreement when they yelled at the screen. Right now three men sat quietly with their backs to the bar, sipping their beers as they watched the game. So Jon washed a few glasses, letting his eyes roam as he worked. Most of the tables were empty, a few quietly eating a late supper. But there was one table that caught Jon’s eye, tucked away in the corner.
A young couple was talking loudly, trading stories. When Jon first looked over the guy was simply smiling, listening as she spoke. Then he leaned in, his mouth open in disbelief as her hands rose and swung back and forth. Finally she finished, and they both roared with laughter, rocking in their seats. After they caught their breath, wiping away a few tears, she looked up and gestured. Now it was his turn to talk.
“Can I get another round?” one of the men called from over his shoulder.
“Right away,” Jon said, reaching for one of the fresh glasses, changing his mind when he felt how warm they still were. “How’s the game going?” he asked.
“We’re winning 3 to 2.” Jon smiled as he handed out the beers. “Can we get some menus too?” It was a while before Jon had another chance to check on the young couple. His first glance told him they were still smiling, but a second look showed they were not laughing.
His face was a mask, his smile forced because he thought that could save him. Her eyes saw right through it. Her smile was a consolation, but that was all. One last hug and then she left. Once she was out of sight he started heading for the door, but then he slowed. What was really waiting for him, an empty evening alone? When he got closer to the bar Jon whistled, nodding him over.
“Have a drink,” Jon said, planting the beer in front of him.
“Thanks,” he said, staring at the amber glass.
“Tell me about her.”
Her name was Sarah. His was Steve. They met online. Steve had been trying to find a girlfriend for some time, blind dates, personals in papers, even websites, but they all crapped out, until Sarah. She was…perfect.
Her profile picture showed her surfing, her hair plastered in thick ropes, a splash of water about to hit the camera. He’d always wanted to try surfing, turned out she was just learning too. Their emails quickly grew from lines to paragraphs. There was just so much to talk about. They both loved to travel, go on adventures. Every conversation became a story, or an aspiration.
“One time she had an overnight layover in Miami. She went dancing at a local club, then hopped on a redeye,, slept through the whole ride, walked off the plane and drove straight to work.”
“Sounds like quite a woman.”
“Yeah,” Steve said, his voice growing distant as he stared off. Jon took a moment to check around, refill empty glasses. When he got back Steve’s was empty too.
“So what happened when you met her?”
“How was Colorado? Do a lot of skiing?” Steve asked.
“Actually I spent most of it indoors at a conference,” Sarah answered.
“That’s a shame.”
“Actually it was very interesting. They talked about different ways to disguise lessons as games.”
“I didn’t realize you were in education.”
“I work with special needs children.”
“Wow. That must be very…rewarding.”
“It is. For one thing there are those moments when you can see the comprehension take hold, but there are also the times when they teach you.” Her eyes lit up as she spoke, and Steve couldn’t help but smile. “What about you?”
“Oh, I’m just an accountant,” Steve shrugged.
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Eh, it’s a job. It pays well and I don’t find it too difficult. With luck I’ll save up, invest well, and retire early.” She nodded.
After that the conversation switched to plans for the holidays, and before long they were laughing again. But as they traded stories about family traditions and mishaps, Steve noticed that Sarah was getting quieter. Before she pounced on the opportunity to take her turn and tell a story, but now she made passing remarks, then trailed off, her eyes wandering until a question pulled her back in.
“So what did you do?” Jon asked.
“I asked her plainly, and she didn’t deny it.”
“Did she say why?”
“Only that we were not a “good match”. I thought we were having fun.”
“Well I’m sure there’ll be others.”
“Yeah,” Steve said sullenly, “most of ‘em never get this far,” he mumbled the last words into his glass, raising the rim to his mouth and chugging the rest down. Jon started to say something, but as he opened his mouth the sports fans erupted into cheers, slapping each other on the back, reaching for their drinks until they realized the glasses were empty once again. And while they were at it maybe they’d order some more food to celebrate the victory. As Jon turned to pass the orders back to the kitchen, he saw Steve walking to the door. Their eyes met, and he gave Jon a wave and a weak smile, and then he left.
The following Sunday Steve came back, just as another game was starting. This time he came alone, and he walked right up to the bar. He sat down in front of the TV, a few seats away from a pair of old sports fans, and ordered a drink. At first he just sat there, but when they cheered he clapped too, and when they hollered at the referee on the screen he joined in, and before long the three of them were sitting side by side.
