"Norm, it's closing time. Aren't you going home, yet?" I hear her voice. She sounds agitated. I look at my watch and realize it's two o'clock in the morning. The worst hour of the day because that means I have to call it a night and go home. I am not ready to go home; I'm never ready to go home. If someone had to walk into their house to find Vera waiting for them, would they want to go home?
"Yeah, Rebecca, just give me five more minutes. Please?"
"Norm, I will never understand why this place means so much to you. Lord knows this place is nothing but a cash cow for me."
I just sit at my stool in silence while I hear the clack-clackety-clacks of her high heeled shoes make their way into her office. What a cold, bitter woman she is. I can already tell she is a loser of the worst kind-the kind that haven't fully accepted the fact that they are a loser. I, on the other hand, have accepted my title of king of the losers since a relatively young age. I like to think my kind are a lot of fun.
This place used to be a lot of fun. There was nothing phony nor slightly professional about this place. I have been this bar since the B.S years: Before Sammy and have obviously stayed since the A.D years: After Diane (believe me, there were a few of them). I miss them both so much.
I have always liked, okay loved, okay have been obsessed with Sammy ever since he got this place hot off his Sox days and in deep with his alcohol. Even when he was plowed and a total douche, I still like(d) to believe that he could do no wrong. He was married at the time but like that would stop Sam the Man. I never knew how this guy got around so frequently and ferociously. A great looking guy, a great althete and a great lay. I couldn't touch Sammy on my best day.
I am not like Carla when it comes to Sam turning uncool when he started going with Diane. I was a little put off by her in the beginning, all of us were. She just didn't fit with us but over time, I could see that she was a good girl. She has helped me out multiple times even when I didn't think I needed it or I simply didn't want it. I still join in on the other's with an occasional eye roll because she is so smart and she doesn't try to hide it. I can still see Coach just looking at her in amazement at her knowledge. In times like these when I'm alone and think of Coach, I make a sign of the cross. For you, buddy, I think to myself, always for you.
All three of them have long since passed. I gulp that fact down with a last chug of beer. Coach is in heaven, Diane is in Maine, and Sam, only God and Coach knew where in the world Sam is right now. I finally give myself a push and I'm off my stool. I look at the world map that hangs itself right behind me. I look at the major bodies of water and trace my finger all the way to the top right hand corner of the United States, where Diane is. With a heavy sigh, I turn to walk to the office door to tell Rebecca I am finally leaving.
"Have a good night," I say with a polite knock.
"I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow." Oh God, if only it were Sam telling me that. Sam would say it in such a way I would actually feel good about tomorrow. This woman makes it sound like the arduous task that it is to make it through another day. Before I completely exit, I turn around to see that map again and see that big ocean that separates all of us from Sammy.
"Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main," I sing to myself as I close the door and head up the stairs. "For many a stormy wind shall blow until Sam comes home again."