One Pint

Walking across the Ha’Penny Bridge I stumble a little pass the tourist taking pictures. The sky is greyer than usual and gives me an unsettling feeling. Today I received terrible news that my position no longer exists and I have two more weeks to finish up any projects. Figures, my shit day job just decides to drop my position. I need a beer.

I stop by O’Connell’s on the river for a pint to start. Sitting in the corner gives me an excellent view of the entire place. Each man sits with a chair in-between them. Not a word said but seven men sit. Slowly fighting their liver one drink at a time. Time seems to move slower in the bar which I enjoyed. Without that I’d be fucked. I can’t go home just yet and face the music. Seeing my wife and kids right now would absolutely floor me. What am I going to tell her. We’re a month behind on our mortgage and we’re 35,687 in credit card debt. Trust me I know that number by heart. It fucking watches me as I sleep.

“Another Pint.” I say with head against the bar. I sip the Guiness ever so slow. It never lets me down. It always can cheer me up and always knows when I’ve had too much of life. The Guiness will be there no matter what. Rain or shine it sits and waits for me. I rely a little heavily on it but that’s ok. My old man relied on it as well as his old man. That’s how we got to where we are today. Me sitting in O’Connell’s with seven men all avoiding what is outside of those walls. But in here we are safe. The wood panel walls and ceiling gives a cozy feeling. The bartender is always a sweetheart and is never mad at us. She get’s it. Maybe that’s what a bar is for? It is a home for all of the misfits in the world who need a fucking break.

The world is tough and all it does is consistently knock you down. It doesn’t fucking stop. All hours of the day it is working non stop to see who the brave are. I like to think I am brave but I have my vices. I smoke my cigarettes and drink my beers a little too often. Just enough to keep me from doing anything productive. Like right now. I should be home calling around looking for opportunities but that wouldn’t be me. And me is the reason I sit here in O’Connell’s. My brother has it together but fuck that. He hasn’t lived as much as I’ve lived.

That is the trouble though. If you have a lived as much as I have you’ll know that freedom comes with a price. That price is the biggest God damn roller coaster in the universe. You climb and work so hard and then free fall. But the feeling the free fall is what makes being alive so exciting. My brother’s rollercoaster looks like a driveway. I like to think these emotional up & downs are what makes you tough. Because my brother would have already blown his brains out.

Time for another bar this scenery is getting a little too depressing for even me.

Wondering by Trinity and seeing all the drunken college kids just enjoying life. Not a care in the world. No family, no job, no bills. I can’t even remember what that even feels like.

Ahhh Toner’s, That’s more like it.

The crowd is just a bit younger but just the right amount of angst. Guiness followed me over here thank goodness.

I don’t know what I am going to say when I get home. Do I go home and act like it’s all ok? Or just be honest right upfront? She can tell. Kelly can read right through me. God she’s a beauty. She’s so steady. Everything she does is with grace. I don’t deserve a girl like her. I should be a drunk.

One more pint and I’ll go home. The crisp of fresh Guiness just is overwhelming. The bartender looks over and asked “ If I’m alright.” I smile and say “yes” while waving him off. Sipping my Guiness ever so slowly and gently. A bar is the safest place in the world for a guy like me.

Walking along the road and it decides to start raining. Of course. I don’t have an umbrella but the rain feels incredible. I stop and look up to the heavens. Feeling each drop that comes down gliding across my face. I stroll home in the rain while others flee in each directions.

I have gotten to my front door and I am about two hours late.

“Where have you been?!” Kelly shouts.

I smile at her. “I’ve been singing in the rain. What’s for supper?”