The Boys in The Bar
Once again, to her surprise, Diane found herself immensely impressed with Sam Malone, a thought too bizarre to have ever crossed her mind. But thanks to the antics of his friends, Sam proved himself to be a stand-up kind of guy, the kind of guy who wouldn't throw a fellow out of his business just for who they loved.
What was it about Sam Malone that created such a conundrum in her mind? On any given day, he was a walking stereotype of a typical dumb jock; on other days, he could prove himself to be surprisingly open-minded. Who would have thought that Sam would refuse to throw out guys who weren't like him?
Not Diane, that was for sure. If she would have put money on who the biggest jackass of the night would have been, it would have been on Sam. He did things that surprised her, with increasing frequency. But for him to take a stand against such obvious bigotry, well, that just put him one step closer to whatever fate had in store for them.
"Why you looking at me that way?" Sam asked while Diane gathered her purse.
"What way?"
"Like you ain't ever seen a bartender tend bar before?"
"Oh, Sam. I have to admit, perhaps I have shortchanged you. I really think you deserve more credit than what I've given you in the past."
"Why, because of Tom Kenderson?"
"That, and the way you carried yourself tonight. You proved you didn't have to stoop down to anyone's level in order to maintain your pride and dignity. And for that, I applaud you."
He finished wiping out the last glass of the evening. "Thanks, Diane. You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"It seems to me as of late, you've been treating me less of a mandog and more of a human being. What gives?"
"Oh, Sam. Your secret is safe with me. You may not be the most educated of men, but I will say this for you- you're not a total ignoramus either."
"Thank you- I think."
"Sam, do you realize what you've done tonight?"
"Enlighten me."
"You stood by your convictions. You proved yourself to be a man with morals, a man who knows right from wrong. And for that, I think that I have misjudged you."
"Want to.."
"No I will not go to bed with you. But if Norm warrants a kiss, the least I can do is this..." With that, she closed her eyes and kissed Sam softly, briefly but most sincerely on the cheek.
"See you tomorrow, Diane?"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
And for the first time that she could remember, she honestly meant it when she said that she was looking forward to seeing Sam Malone again.
TBC