An Unusual Encounter (2)
Upon closer inspection, Chance noticed a few things about
the old gentleman that made him quickly realize this was no ordinary
individual. The Levi jeans were
ordinary, but the cuffs were turned up and he wore a pair of slightly scuffed
black cowboy boots that were hooked on the rounds of the stool. A pair of rainbow colored suspenders
stretched over a rounded belly and connected the jeans to the rest of his body. The long-sleeved white shirt was of the
finest Egyptian cotton and probably cost a couple of hundred dollars. On the lapel was a small gold cloverleaf and
the cuffs were adorned with a matching pair of the same. But the thing that caught Chance’s eye was
the large nugget ring on the right hand.
It’s a wonder he can lift his hand was the thought that flashed through
his mind.
The old man saw Chance glance at the ring and smiled. He said, “Son, what’re you drinking? I’m in the mood for some company and if you’ll
sit and visit awhile the drinks are on me.”
“I’ll just have one of those like you’re drinking. It looks like it ought to quench my thirst.”
The bartender brought the tall glass of Irish Ale and the
two raised their glasses and said, “Cheers.”
For a while the two sat in silence listening to the quiet murmurings
coming from the various customers in the pub.
The bartender brought a menu and told Chance to let him know if he
wanted something to eat.
Chance pushed the menu to the side and continued to sip on
his Ale. He wasn’t sure how to begin a
conversation with the quiet old man sitting beside him but, he felt that it was
someone he needed to know. It was one of
those feelings that occasionally come over a person yet nothing he could put
his finger on. Fortunately, he didn’t have
to; the old man did it for him.
Turning to Chance, the old man said, “Pat O’Malley is my
name. I own this old pub. What brings you to town?”
“I’m just passing through.
I like to eat here in Old Town when I’m in the area, but, usually it’s
Mexican food. Tonight I just wasn’t in
the mood. My name’s Chance, by the way,
Chance Hunter.”
“Good to meet you Chance,” said the old man, sticking out
his hand. “You remind me of someone I
knew about 50 years ago -- spotted it when you walked in the door.”
1 comment:
Reminds me, loosely, of that country song 'God is great, beer is good, people are crazy'. Has potential. Don't know where is should go from here though. I like it.
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