Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ A Wing And A Prayer ]
The Bull Pen Bar and Grill was conveniently located next to the SeaTac airport. Frasier sat there at the counter nursing his drink as he patiently waited for his friend.
"Frasier." A familiar voice called out from behind him.
He turned as Sam Malone gave him a hug. "Sam, great to see you."
"Hey thanks. I hope you weren't waiting long." He took the luggage bag off which was strapped over one of his shoulders.
"Not at all." He ordered his old friend a drink.
"Sorry we have to meet like this. I'm heading back in a few hours. Just in town long enough for the game."
"How was the game? Did the Seahawks live up to the expectations of the Red Sox?"
Sam smiled. "Now Frasier, there's no room in baseball for a football."
Frasier laughed. "I'm sorry Sam."
"It was the Red Sox and Mariners. The Mariners scored early in the first and second endings, but the Sox came back strong in the sixth tying the score three-to-three. In the ninth, Seattle scored the winning run."
"Well, the next time you're over for a game, I'll have to join you."
Sam shot him a look. "Oh, I thought you were here for a week or two. Don't you live in Chicago?"
"Not any longer. I'm moving back."
"Hey Frasier, that's great. How's the little woman? I don't see a ring on that finger yet."
"Ah, Charlotte. Well, we parted ways."
"I'm sorry Frase," he said as the server brought him is beer. "What happened?"
"Her business started to take a turn for the worse. I invested large sums of my personal money. As it continued to go south, she let it monopolize all of her time."
"Damn sorry about that buddy." Sam scooped some peanuts from the bowl in front of him and snacked on some. "Well, you're a shrink. You should have money squirreled away somewhere."
"Well, the acorn tree isn't quite as full as it used to be," he said with a hint of sarcasm.
"You used to be a pretty big thing on the radio. Didn't you have an agent or something like that?"
Frasier returned with more sarcasm. "Thanks for the comment on my fame in the past-tense Sam." He then added. "No, I used to have an agent. Bebe Glazer has since retired."
"Sounds to me like it's time for you to get another agent."
Frasier looked his way. "Sam, perhaps you're right."
"Well, it's good that you have family here to fall back on. If you ever want to visit Boston, you always have a place to stay."
"Do you mean your place or the bar?" He shot his friend and comedic smile.
"My place, of course."
"How is everyone back at Cheers?"
"Well, there's not much left of the old gang. Norm still shows up regularly."
Frasier nodded. "Of course."
"Cliff shows up every now and then. Carla is still working for me. Woody is still in politics. He drops me a line from time to time."
"It sure would be something to go back and see some familiar faces again."
"Why don't you come back? You could catch this flight with me."
"Thanks Sam. That is very tempting, but I've got a lot on my plate here for the time being."
"Well, the invitation's open anytime. You're family, you know that."
Frasier smiled. "Thank you. And I feel the same about you. Next time there's a game in town, come early and stay late. If I ever get a place, you can stay with me."
Sam smiled at that. "Well Frasier, I hate to cut this so short, but I need to catch my flight."
"I'll walk out with you."
Frasier did more than that. He followed him over to the airport and stayed with him while Sam returned the rental car. He even walked with him to check in at that ticket counter and walked him as far as the security check point.
Before he left, Sam asked, "Frasier, is there anything I can do. If you need a loan to tide you over, I am carrying my checkbook."
"Thanks Sam, but I'm doing alright for now."
Sam hugged his friend good-bye. "If you change your mind, just call me."
"Certainly. You have a good flight and please tell everyone at Cheers I said hello."
"Sure thing." Sam headed toward the check point and stopped to give his friend one last wave.
Frasier watched his friend go through the check point and even further until he was out of sight.
"Frasier?" a familiar voice called out. "I didn't know you were in town."
He turned find Claire moving toward him in a hug.
"Claire? Claire French." He embraced her. He hadn't seen her for years. They had met at Lorna Langley's birthday party and Lorna was the one to help persuade Claire to date Frasier. That did involve the agreement for Frasier to tutor Lorna's son Kirby. "What a pleasant surprise." When they broke free from the hug, he was looking into the eyes of the lady of probably his most successful relationship… well, other than Charlotte or Lilith.
"So, what brings you to the airport? Seeing your wife off?"
"Oh no, I'm not married."
"Really?"
"Yes. How about you? I see you have a bag there. Are you off on a romantic get-away with your husband?"
"Oh no. I'm not married either."
"Really?" There was a moment of silence like neither one of them could believe that the other was still single.
"No, I'm just off on a trip with a friend."
"Oh, not Belize, I hope," Frasier joked of the place that he had taken her with the entire family once upon a time.
"No, not Belize. Well Frasier, it was really great seeing you again."
"Yes, it certainly was." He watched her head for the check point. He couldn't bear to see her go. "Claire!"
She turned back to look at him.
"This may sound a little impulsive, but could I have your phone number?"
She walked back over to him, trailing her bag on wheels. "Frasier, what are you saying?"
"Listen, I don't know how long your trip is going to take, but I would sure like to take you out… dinner perhaps."
"Well, I don't know… Whatever did happen between us Frasier?"
"Well… it was all me. I was the one with commitment issues. I was so foolish, but I'm completely over that now. I would love to catch up with you Claire. If not dinner, we could meet for coffee."
"Well Frasier… I don't know."
"Please say yes. If coffee goes well, I'll buy you a Danish."
She laughed. "Alright. Yes Frasier, I'd like that." She went into her purse for a pen and paper so that they could exchange phone numbers.