3
Chapter 41
A youthful Lo-Chem took a sip of his drink; he cringed from the bitter taste.
He nodded to the bar tender to poor him another; he obliged…shooting him an odd look.
"You seem a little young to be hanging out here,"
Lo-Chem polished the drink and tapped the top of the glass; the bar tender shrugged his shoulders and poured.
Another man took a seat a couple chairs away; he ordered a drink and sat there in silence for a few moments.
Lo-Chem glanced over at him…and glared.
"Lo-Chem,"
The man turned to face him; Lo-Chem turned away,
"Yeah?"
The man was well built…and held himself with dignity.
"Keep pouring,"
The bar tender poured; Lo-Chem drank.
"Can we…"
Lo-Chem didn't flinch or look over.
The man turned away and took a sip of his drink.
"Your mother asks about you,"
Lo-Chem softened a bit; he turned to face the man.
Lo-Chem could see a warmth and gentleness in the man's eyes.
He felt a pang of guilt.
"How is she?"
"She's okay…but she misses you. So does your brother,"
Lo-Chem inwardly sighed.
"I would be there…"
The man nodded. He took another sip of his drink.
"I understand…"
"No you don't!"
The man looked into his eyes; he had nothing but sincerity.
"Your father didn't send me,"
Lo-Chem was taken aback by his words…but hid it. He kept the same angry look on.
"What do you want from me?" he said aggressively.
The finished his drink; he dropped some money on the bar and got up.
He walked a few feet past Lo-Chem and turned around.
"I came for you. I care about you. You're like a son to me," the man's eyes got watery.
Lo-Chem softened again.
"I can't go back there…there's nothing for me there," he said quietly.
The man nodded.
"You can only run away for so long,"
The man started to leave.
"Abba!"
The man turned around.
The two locked gazes for a moment…understanding one another perfectly.
After the man left…Lo-Chem collapsed onto the bar.
He felt ashamed of himself.
He was in a dingy dirty bar…heavily drunk.
He felt like he was going to throw up.
He thought of his father…and felt the immobilizing guilt wash over him.
"I have to go back…its my duty," he said quietly.
He took one last look at freedom…then got up and left.