Going for a beer

Therapy comes in a bottle

John was 65 now, yesterday was his birthday, Dolores his wife had turned 59 two months back, John sported a scruffy beard, he did not bother trimming it, what’s the point he would think, his jacket was scruffy but it worked for him, kept the cold out, slipped over his shoulders easily and he was comfortable in it. I have a perfect jacket he would say to Dolores when she commented he needed a new coat. He smiled and looked over to Dolores, they had been married close to 30 years now, how time had sped past, Dolores had picked up some weight, middle age spread she would say, a soft landing she grinned at times. He smiled she sure was in the comfortable department now, not that he could judge, his muscles had deserted him, his six pack he sported was now a as flat as an ironing board, i am what i am he would say, Dolores would shake her head, look a him and grin, “but you once were, i remember.”

Looking down at his watch he noted it was midday and that meant the pub was open, his daily intake was one Guinness which he had been having for as long as he could remember. “Going for a pint doll” and he slipped his Jacket on and stepped out the door cap in hand, stroking his beard.

Dolores watched him walk out, she knew she was invited, many a day she would stroll with him but today she was busy baking a cake for the church fete on Sunday, she waved him out and went back to stirring the mix without a word, John knew Dolores was busy.

Turning the first corner he stopped at the gate to pat Paddy on the head, Paddy was a black Labrador, Paddy had been waiting for his daily pat and hello every afternoon for around 5 years now, reaching into his pocket his hand came up with a biscuit, his pocket had a handful of biscuits and Paddy would get his midday treat every day. John remembered years ago when he had bought Dolores a small puppy and she had cried as he lifted it out the car for her, he remembered how 10 years later she had cried when Foxy has died in his sleep from old age, sometime he wondered if Dolores had loved Foxy more than him, he grinned patted paddy a last time and walked on. Four houses down he was greeted Mac, they had been friends as long as he could remember, he recalled the time the two of them got drunk and stole his Dad’s car for a joy ride, that did not end up well, Mac his a lamppost and they both spent a night in jail, Mac’s dad blew a gasket but it only lasted a week and lessons were learned, waving John offered “how you floating you old goat”

“Off to the supermarket, perhaps i will see you on the way back, give James my best if i don’t make it”

James ran the local pub, his dad owned it before him. “Sure will do Mac” he hollowed and he kept walking.

As he rounded the last corner he heard a voice from behind him “hey you randy old bugger, Dolores know you out chasing skirts” and Samantha strode past him.

“Jeezus girl you will give me a heart attack”

Samantha was the cashier at the Supermarket, about 30 with blonde hair and an ass men would murder for, she had been teasing John since she caught him staring at her about six months back. John watched her ass swaying in her tight jeans as she sped away, she must be on afternoon shift he thought as he shouted “how much for a swing”

Samantha turned and looked at him as she walked, pointing a finger towards him “I am telling Dolores” she slapped her ass and was gone around the corner.

John chuckled to himself thinking about a time when Dolores wore tight jeans, How he had lusted after her, it took him over a year to get a kiss and he only got to heaven after they married a year later, the wait had been well worth it, he knew he would never swop his Dolores after all they had done, memories flooded his brain and he grinned as he pushed the pub door open and slid onto his chair.

“Usual James my lad” he shouted as James appeared with his glass of ale.

“How you doing today John”

“Good thanks mate” sipping the ale he wiped his mouth and placed the glass on the coaster.

“Mac sends his best, said he may stop in on the way back, he is out shopping”

James wiped the bar with his cloth looked up and smiled, “us three been mates many years, some good times and some bad but we survived”

“That we did, a good run i would say” John nodded in agreement.

“Samantha passed me gave me the fright of my life shouting in my ear”

James laughed, “just looking at her will kill me, what a looker she is, i hear she is planning on getting married next year to old Killian’s son, the two of them been going steady a year or so now”

“That’s a good lad, the two of them should be happy, i suppose she will give up working at the supermarket, the lad is in the plumbing game doing well for himself i understand”

James grinned at John, “that will be a pity, i will sure miss watching her ass in the supermarket”

“Indeed,” nodded John in agreement “all good things come to an end.

“On another note” James quipped” have you spoken to Dolores yet.

“No, i need to and soon i know, it’s not easy”

“I understand but Dolores needs to know John, its only fair that its sooner than later”

I know I know, perhaps this weekend I will try to sit and chat to her, she is not going to take it lightly”

“It has to be done John”

John lifted his ale and drained the glass, placed it empty on the mat, shrugged his shoulders and put the cap on his head.

“What is the latest from the doc John”

“He says it is progressing slowly and gives me 6 months”

“Cancer is an evil this world can do without” James mumbled.

Nodding John headed for the door, “see you tomorrow mate, same time” he grinned and was out the door.

A slow rain started to fall, John walked fast in silence his thoughts with Dolores.

Opening the door he strode in hung his Jacket and cap and went into the kitchen, Dolores looked up “what’s new at the pub”

“All the same”

“So why do you go everyday if its always the same”

“To remember that we once were.” he whispered, turning and walking outside before Dolores saw the tears.