Maureen sat at the bar, mascara running down her face mixed with salty tears. For once, she didn't mind her hair in her face; it covered the tears. Her hand absentmindedly stirred her drink around, the ice clinking rhythmically against the glass of the cup. She inhaled, allowing a sob to come out.
"Are you okay?" a deep voice asked. The owner of the voice placed a hand on her shoulder.
Maureen jumped, the hand quickly retracting. "What?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't meant to…" he said. "You just looked really upset, like you needed someone to listen to you."
Maureen met the gaze of the man talking to her. He looked harmless, blond hair, blue eyes, glasses. "Oh, no, it's okay. You just scared me."
"Sorry," he said again, taking the seat next to her. "Do you want another of whatever your drinking?"
She wiped her eyes and nodded. The man looked at the bartended and motioned for another drink.
"I don't normally talk to people I don't know," he said, "but my friend abandoned me for some girl, so I felt really stupid sitting over there alone."
"Why me?" Maureen asked, sipping her new drink.
"You looked lonely, like you needed someone to hear you out," he explained.
"Why do men have to be so horrible and evil and dishonest," she wailed, grabbing the stranger's hands.
The blond's eyes widened at the sudden outburst. "Shh, shh, it's okay," he pulled the girl into a hug and gently rubbed her back. "I know, I know, men are disgusting pigs who only think about sex and masturbation. It's a fact of life."
The girl looked up, giggling. "I take it back. They're not all dishonest."
The blond smiled. "Do you want to get some fresh air? If you want to talk, I'll listen. But I can understand if you don't want to, since we just met…"
"I'd love that," she brightened, tossing a few bills onto the bar.
The man placed his hand on her back and led her through the crowd. Before they headed out the door, he signaled to another guy and a redhead that he was leaving.
"I'm Mark," he said once they were outside.
"Maureen," she replied. "It's cold."
Mark replied by placing his arm around her shoulder. Neither of them had coats. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I'll get over it," Maureen replied, leaning against Mark.
"Where do you live? I'll walk you home."
"Over on 13th street," Maureen replied. "Thank you. I guess I should apologize for what I said about men earlier."
Mark laughed. "Don't worry. It's just how we work. Girls have their flaws too."
"Fair enough," she answered.
The small talk continued for the next few blocks until they reached Maureen's apartment.
"It was really nice meeting you," Mark said at her steps. "I hope things work out for you and all."
"I'm glad you talked to me," she replied, taking his hand. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you came up to me. Most guys just come looking for… well, you're a guy, you know how they work."
"You're a pretty girl," Mark replied, "our kind doesn't often look past that."
Maureen laughed. "Thank you. You're kind of pretty yourself."
Mark blushed. "I guess I'll see you around."
"Can you wait here for just a second?"
"Sure."
Maureen disappeared in the building for a minute, leaving Mark leaning against the stairs. She emerged a few minutes later, a piece of paper her hands. "Here."
Mark took it, smiling as his eyes ran over a name and a phone number.
"If you wanted to call me, maybe we could hang out or something."
"I'd like that," Mark replied, stuffing the paper in his pocket. "I guess I'll see you soon."
Maureen kissed his nose before bouncing through the door and into her own apartment. It was the first time in a while that a relationship hadn't started out with someone staring at her ass. This was the beginning of something real.
Fin