Some of you may recognize this, I put it into another collection of stories I've written, but I really like this one and find it fitting for this specific group. Sorry for those of you who get to read it again, I'm trying!
Bones put down his glass and it clinked slightly as it hit the innumerable glasses next to him. He'd lost track of how many drinks he'd had. He snorted to himself, loosing track- just like everything else he'd done with his life. He motioned to the bartender to get him another before sinking back into his well deserved pity party. The bartender slid the glass across the counter with a long look. Bones ignored the look, he knew the type. He was no stranger to bars and their customs. Bones focused on the liquid with a wistful expression.
How many years was this? Fifteen? Twenty?
Bones sighed. He'd been divorced for years, and still, the one thing he could keep track of- the anniversary of that terrible day, always came to hit him hard. Deciding he didn't want another drink, he pushed the glass away and observed the crowd, or at least tried to. His vision was slightly blurry.
He sat there for awhile and had decided to leave when a song came over the radio that made him sit back and listen. It was an oldie. He'd heard the song a thousand times before, but it had never seemed so relevant to his life as it did now.
…..I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
it's lonely out in space
on such a timeless flight
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
Till touchdown brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no, no, no I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact its cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science I don't understand
It's just my job five days a week
A rocket man, a rocket man
Bones felt his pain double and rising quickly, left the bar. Once outside, he breathed deeply; blinking back the sudden swell of emotion that had overcome him. Glancing up at the dark night sky, he took in the stars with a slightly sarcastic expression. He'd given up his family and his home to be what?
A rocket man.
The song used is Elton John's Rocket man (It's going to be a long, long, time) Love the song, have nothing to do with it except for the occasional impromptu karaoke session.