Title: The Curse

Author: Papergirl (ambino1111@prodigy.net)

Summary: No matter how hard you try, there are things in life you cannot change.

Category: Vignette, Angst/Humor

Rating: G

Spoilers: A Regular Joe and also Chuck's in CA

Author's Notes: Stay tuned after the story

After two rings he picks up the phone. He knows exactly who it is.

"Tell me it's good news," The voice pleads through the ear piece. "Please just tell me it's good news."

He hesitates. The small pause is enough to clue in the other party.

"No," At first the voice is quiet with denial. "No, I won't believe it."

"I didn't say anything!"

"How can something like this happen?"

"Calm down," He says. He can hear the exasperation as loud and clear as Sprint advertises. "It's not that bad."

"Not that bad?!? What are you saying? How can you not be disappointed?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm disappointed all right. Frankly, I'm downright pissed."

"There's nothing you can do?"

"Don't you think I've already thought of that?"

"But, seriously, there's nothing? You can't even try?"

"What can I do?"

"We did it once. We helped and it made a difference. Remember?"

He smiles at the memory. "Yeah, I remember. Of course I remember."

"So?"

"So what?"

"Do something!"

"It's different, okay? It's not like last time. And what could I do anyhow?"

The unspoken words hang in the air. The silent accusation of abandonment is overwhelming.

"I would be there in a heartbeat today. Or any day. Whenever you'd need me –"

"You're not going to start singing, are you?" He interrupts. He doesn't want to get into all of it now. Or ever, if he can help it.

"No, no singing. But c'mon! There's nothing you can do? Did you even see it last night? We need this. The entire country needs this."

"I'm sorry."

"Speaking of last night, where were you? I saw that guy. He's the most hated man in the entire city right now, isn't he? Why couldn't you do anything about that? That would have made all the difference."

"I couldn't change it. Just like I can't change this."

"I can't believe it! No true fan would ever say those words."

"There are some things you can't change."

"It's not the curse, all right? It's not!"

"Whatever you say."

"It's not!"

"Sure."

"I can't believe it."

"It's not the end of the world."

"It may as well be. I can't believe it. Even with Harry watching out for us! What a cruel, cruel joke."

"They did well."

"They did better than well! And they deserved this!"

"They did."

"Then give it to them! You have the opportunity!"

"I don't. I really don't."

"I'm sick of your excuses. I don't understand."

"It wasn't meant to be," He admits sadly, glancing at the headline of the paper in his hands.

"Then I'm going back to bed, big guy."

"Okay."

"I can't believe this. It totally ruined my day."

"Just remember that there's always next year."

"I'm sick of waiting until next year! The Cubs should have won tonight! They should be in the world series!"

"Chuck," Gary warns.

A sigh. "I know, I know," Chuck says dejectedly. "The Cub fan mantra: There's always next year."

They take a moment of silence for the loss, then Chuck speaks. "I'll talk to you later."

"All right. Get some more sleep," Gary tells him, glancing at the clock.

"Just one more thing, before I go – any news on the Bears?"

Gary chuckles softly.

"Well, there's always next year," Chuck decides, a hint of the old faith and optimism back in his voice.

"Yeah. There's always next year," Gary repeats, then hangs up the phone.

The End (of more than just this story)

Author's Notes: Okay, being a loyal Cubs fan, I cannot express my depression after such a loss. But, for some reason, Gary and Chuck were better able to share their emotions.

Being a Cubs fan is all about the undying devotion in the face of such heartbreak. We're loyal despite every reason not to be. Why?

Because there's always next year.