It was almost midnight when Sam closed the bar and went home. He had stayed up late to tally some accounts, he would soon have to make the statement of income. He was on the highway, driving his precious Chevrolett red '56 Corvette and he had tuned the oldies, one of those radio stations that only played music from the 50's, 60's and 70's. He had lowered the window. The cool night air blowing through it silently and stealthily, like a fox in a henhouse gently stroked her face. This was a balm to his aching temples, tortured by accounts of his bar, "Home run", his bar beside Diane. "Home run" was the "other son" of both. If he loved "Cheers, he didn´t love fewer "Home run", precisely because it was of the two. My God!, how united he felt to Diane, each new day, a little more...

He was in those thoughts when heard near to him a heated discussion of a couple. That bothered Sam as he walked into the garage of his home. He couldn´t see their faces, but it was something about them that was familiar.

When he closed the garage and was driving home, he watched in horror as the man with one hand clutched the neck woman, forcing her to kneel down, lifting his other hand and with his merciless fist, knocking over and over again the face of the poor woman. She tried to scream, but the iron hand of man pressed her neck tightly, preventing almost breathing . The wide eyes pleading of the woman sought help from something or someone around her. Sam was closely together of them and ran towards the couple immersed in darkness of the night. Upon reaching the hedges that surrounded his garden he jumped over them.

-Damned coward! Drop her! -Sam urged with authoritative tone filled with rage-.

The man, surprised, turned sharply to one side pulling the woman, who fell, and hit her eyebrow on the pavement. Then, the man and Sam got involved in a fight. The woman looked terrified how events unfolded, sitting on the floor beside the hedges of the garden. The aggressor was much younger than Sam, but Sam was stronger. At one point, Sam gave him a terrible and devastating punch to his chin that made the man give his bones on the ground. When it seemed that all was over, the guy turned and jumped to his feet brandishing something in his hand. A distinctive metallic luster, revealed to Sam that his opponent was now playing dirty. He had a knife. With a quick glance Sam saw a metal rod protruding from nearby waste container. He grabbed it masterfully, as when he took the bat when played with the Red Sox. The man was perplexed, not expecting that. He quickly pounced on Sam, pointing with his knife at a vital point. Surprisingly for the guy, Sam didn´t pull away, and as if he was striking a ball of baseball, hit the hand that held the knife ,that fell to the floor. Then, Sam dropped the bar and hit the stomach of the guy as a boxer hitting a punching bag. Sam grabbed him for the lapels of his shirt and dragging him, held him to the light of a nearby street lamp.

... My God! It can not be! -Sam said surprised-.

He had discovered that it was his neighbor, Pete Logan. This discovery was confirmed when the woman timidly also came out from the dark shadows of the night, with a slightly deformed face from the blows of her husband. Yes, it was Madeleine Logan.

The Logan were the neighbors next door. They weren´t the owners. They lived rental and were very reserved, and almost always had the blinds and curtains drawn. Now Sam knew why.

-So all those noises were beatings that you gave to your wife! -Sam said in an accusing tone- …you're a dirty coward. She's your wife, asshole! You should protect her, not burst her face, son of bitch!.

-Go to hell, fucking nosy! -Pete said reluctantly. He wanted to hide unsuccessfully the fear he actually had-.

-No ... to the hell you go! - said Sam firmly and determinedly- I´m going to denounce you the police, ok, scum? -he was shaking when Sam threatened him, taking him by the lapels of the jacket.

At that time Sam heard a sort of drip at his feet. Pete had just pee on himself. Besides pathetic, he was revolting.

-Get out of my sight, you aren´t a man nor nothing! Out ! he ordered Sam. Pete ran stumbling, losing himself in the night , aimlessly or destiny to go.

-Thank you Mr. Malone. he was very brave -said grateful Madeleine.

- It was nothing -said Sam denoting weariness in his voice; he was no a young man in his twenties as Pete

-Tell me why you have not asked for help before ?.

-He threatened to kill me if I did. It is my fault. At first, we only discussed. Then he started to make me feel worthless ... After started the physical abuse. I tried to justify him, but then I realized that this was not the way. But it was too late. I have tried to escape, to ask for help ... but i had much fear -Madeleine began to mourn.

-I'm sorry- that story was breaking the heart of Sam- you're wrong about one thing. It's not your fault. All the fault is of that infamous creeping worm. By the way, do you want to come home for coffee ... tea ... i do not know, whatever you want ?.

-No, thank you very much Mr. Malone. It's too late.

-Call me Sam. "Mr. Malone" sounds me something freaky ... you know ..

Madeleine smiled a little

-That's better! -said Sam- you're a very pretty girl, and the smile favors you.

The girl, flattered and with a little embarrassed, laughed even more.

-If you want you can spend the night at home. Diane and I have a guest room ...

-Needless. Thank you. I go to my house.

-As you want -Sam said-, but I would feel better if you promise that you will close all doors and windows, and you will call the police to report what had happened. You can quote me as a witness ... Oh, and one more thing!, call me if you notice or hear anything unusual -Sam said as he handed her a business card with his name and his phone numbers-.

-All right, Mr. ... Sam! - said the girl smiling as she watched the card in his hands.

Sam was already heading towards his house when he heard Madeleine say something.

-Your wife have much luck with you.

-Thank you ... Good night !.

Sam went into his house. He was very tired. He climbed the stairs. He realized that, in addition to tired, had all the bones and muscles aching because of the fight. He was old for such things. Upon reaching the room he didn´t ignite the light. With the radiance that came from the hallway was enough to see Diane asleep in bed, wrapped in the duvet surrounded with pillows and cushions. She looked like a golden-haired angel- he thought-. Sam went quietly to catch his pajamas and underwear. To avoid waking Diane, went to the bathroom in the hall with the intention of showering. Then he went to bed without a sound, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek to Diane.

- I love you, Diane -said Sam in a hoarse whisper-.

Will continue