Pub Walk

Jacob was going to be late. No matter what. Even if he sprinted the rest of the way and went straight there without checking himself out in a mirror so that he didn’t walk in sweating from head to toe, he would still be late.

So, he decided to walk.

The day was beautiful out. Wind blew with a cool September breeze, ruining his meticulously combed hair. There was just enough cloud cover to keep out a lot of the sun but not too much to make it gloomy. Jacob took it in with a deep breath. This was all for the best, he though. He really didn’t want to be there anyway.

Passing by a pub, he noticed the Houston Astros playing on an outdoor projector in the patio. Jacob was now very late. What was the point of going now? With that in mind, he pulled up to a small table and took a seat. A waiter came by and took Jacob’s order. He still needed to show up but would people really be that mad if was an hour late? He asked for a Miller Lite and made himself comfortable.

“Are you going to a job interview?”

Jacob turned to see an older gentlemen seating to his left. He had a large mug that was halfway gone. Wearing a Houston Astros t-shirt and hat, he turned to Jacob with a slight slur in his voice.

“Or did you just come from one?” The old man said.

“Neither.”

“Oh. Well, you look sharp. Are you a Cubs fan?”

The Chicago Cubs were playing the Astros and were beating them pretty handily. However, down four runs, Houston was able to get two men on board with one out in the eight. Maybe they could mount a comeback.

“No. I’m an Astros fan. I wish they were better this year, though.”

“Yeah. At least they ain’t the Rangers. My old man used to take me to the Astrodome to watch them play. That was before your time. Never got passed the Cubs though. They would always lose.”

“Well, they got one world series win. That’s something.”

“Bunch of cheaters. Nolan Ryan would of kicked their asses.”

The old man pointed to the screen. You could tell he was a fan but probably didn’t think the whole cheating scandal looked well on his beloved “Stros.

“You know I’ve seen the Astrodome. I went during the last season of the Oilers. My father took me. He was a massive fan but was heart broken when they left. He never got to see them play until that game. But he couldn’t enjoy it. He felt betrayed.”

The old man looked up from his beer and stared into the distance.

“My old man loved Earl Campbell. Thought he was the human bulldozer. But the Oilers did him dirty. Never forgave them for trading him. But watching him play was pretty great while it lasted. Good memories.”

“Yeah. Watching the Astros win the world series was great while it lasted. My dad was big fan.”

“They might be assholes but they are our assholes.”

Jacob smiled at that. He finished his beer, payed his tab, and went on his way. Checking his watch, he knew he might get yelled at but so be it. He really didn’t want to be there.

He walked up to the church and saw his family. They were talking with the reverend and other friends. Not noticing him, he moved to the entrance. There was a painting of a pear tree above a sign that read “Memorial for Jacob Martinez, Sr”. He took a look at it and kept walking, passing the side of the church and back to the road. It was still a nice day and Jacob figured he would just walk a bit farther.

He really didn’t want to be there anyway.