In the company of gentlemen

"Guess what I am," he said. He was  sipping from a tallboy in a paper bag.

"You look like the creative type," I told him. 

"I'm a fighter pilot. Name's Bill." 

"Well that's an art of its own," I said. "No offense, but you look a little old for a fighter pilot."

"I'm 60. And I don't fly anymore."

"Oh."

"I was a bartender too," he added.

"Really?"

"Yeh, I used to work the late shift, so I could give all the waitresses free booze. And you know what happens when you give waitresses free booze?" He winked.

"All your dinner orders get fucked up?"

Bill told me he has 3 grown kids whom he never sees. They're all in their early 20s and were born about a year apart. He claimed he could impregnate a woman on demand. "One time, I came home from the hospital after a neck operation. I was in a lot of pain. My wife had to help me upstairs to bed. Then one night she raped me. I didn't press charges. Nine months later my son was born."

We talked about alcohol. He said he had been sober awhile back, "because I have lupus," he said. But then he started drinking again. "I've got a fifth of Jack back in my room!" he suddenly remembered, with the look of a kid remembering a secret stash of baseball cards.

I told him I was 15 years sober.

"But now that you're older," he said, "you can have a half a glass of wine. Or a whole glass. Or two."

"I can't drink safely."

"But Jesus drank wine at the last supper, " he said. "I'm a Christian. Do you believe in God?"

"Some days more than others."

"Alcohol is like a tool," Bill said. "You can use your thumbnail or you can use a screwdriver."

"That was my problem," I said, "too many screwdrivers. Maybe next time I see you, you'll be sober."

"And maybe the next time I see YOU, you'll have a drink with me."

The odds were long, either way.

Comments

[green]

You know, I never EVER had any pressure to drink as a teenager. Only as an adult.

[trainwatcher]

When I read your exchanges with the "Bills" of Philly, I always wonder how long it's been since a sober, thoughtful person like you took the time to LISTEN to them or show them some respect. You're a good man, Charlie O.

Bob(43 years sober, and counting)

[Charlie]

Jeez Bob, thanks. Truly means a lot. You're a man of generous spirit. Rare these days, pal.
(PS - Congrats on 43 yrs!)