The wine arrived before Linda returned.

“How much are these, anyway?” I asked. “Between the two of us, we have a hundred and twenty bucks.”

“You make me smile, kiddo, you really do. But don’t worry, dinner’s on me tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Carolyn said.

“You guys are my friends. It’s a celebration. What kind of world are we living in if a man can’t pay for a celebratory dinner when something good happens?”

“First off, you’d pretty much be living in my world,” I said. “And secondly, you should have told us you’d be paying before we ordered. I’d have gotten the prime rib.”

Gene laughed. “There wasn’t even prime rib on the menu.”

Linda returned. Gene filled her glass.

“You guys up for shooting some pool after this?” I asked.

“Definitely,” Linda said before Gene could respond, and I knew that sealed it.

4

We took a cab back to Lakeview and went to a bar Gene knew. It was run-down and dirty, which I liked, and mostly empty, though all four pool tables were occupied.

“First round is on me,” I said. “Whatcha guys want?”

“No way,” Linda said, shoving two twenties into my hand. She ordered a martini and Carolyn ordered the same, a Scotch on the rocks for Gene. I got a Corona for myself. I carried them back. Gene stood with a chalked stick already in his powdered hand.

“You look ready to go,” I said.

He winked. “These guys are about to leave.”

Carolyn sat slumped against the wall with her eyes closed.

“You okay, babe?”

She fluttered her eyes open. “I’m really drunk.”

“I don’t think this martini is going to help much. There’s nothing but booze in it. You want me to get you a water?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“I could use a hug.”