A brew in his right paw
the young kid with the
friendly smile
at the end of the bar
talked to Monte
a round.
Cindy replaced
his empties before
he could signal
another.
We went next door
to look for Scott
and Monte talked
to another guy he knew
for a round
before
we met up with Scott
a round later back
where the friendly kid
had swallowed his
smile, children,
divorce petition
and jumped
a stranger
from behind.
Monte heaved the kid
off the floor and out the door
rubber arms swinging
at nothing at everything
and drove him home.
Someone handed the kid’s
jacket over the counter.
Cindy said he was banned
for life
on her shifts.
Everyone settled back
into the canned tunes.
Scott and I finished
a last round without
talking much.
When Cindy was
let go
the place lost
its charm. All
but for a notice
taped above
the cash register
reminding how
the kid
was banned
for life.
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