Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 02:54:17 -0400
From: amcterrapin@netscape.net
Subject: this old bar #5

Copyright 2006 by AMc. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction; any
resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The author
retains all rights to this work and you may not copy or transmit it in any
way except in it's entirety and with this disclaimer.


This Old Bar

Chapter 5 -epilogue


The private grand opening of This Old Bar was less than two hours away as
Joe paced the floor in a mild panic. Since his breakdown he remained a
recluse in his apartment, refusing to go anywhere or see anyone but Sam. He
was in too much shock to deal with the bar. Sam was there every day for the
finish work, practically living with Joe, giving him a detailed report. The
focus on work had a soothing effect on Joe, keeping him from further
emotional meltdown. He felt terribly guilty at first letting Sam deal with
all the work but Sam dismissed his concern.

He loved what Sam had done with the place the moment he set eyes on it
three days before, much to Sam's relief. The bar was dark but comfortable
with wood wainscot paneling and the walls painted a pool table green. The
walls were covered with vintage posters of beer and soda advertisements,
classic movies and a few baseball greats. Joe was displeased with those but
Sam promised that was the extent of any sports motif. The round oak tables
were surrounded by mismatched chairs giving the place the feel of a comfy
family room. The adjoining restaurant was lighter in color; the same dark
wainscoting but the walls were cream colored. There were the same oak
tables with matching straight back chairs.

Joe smoothed his nervousness as staff scurried about quietly putting the
finishing touches to the bar. Glasses were spotlessly displayed, bottles of
liquor stood in military rows before the mirror running the length of the
bar. The wood was polished clean and glossy.  A brass foot rail and leather
covered stools were lined up proudly.

Opening a new bar was always nerve wracking with all the tiny last minute
details but Joe had decided to make an important announcement at Sam's
urging. He had stepped off the cliff to freedom, now it was time to see if
he would land on his feet or fall flat on his face. Sam came over and put a
comforting hand on him and Joe automatically jumped.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine, I'll be right here." he assured him for the
hundredth time that day.

An hour later friends and staff from The Iron Grill began to arrive, with
much gawking admiration at the bar's decor. Sam's face threatened to split
from the wide grin at the compliments he received. He cocnstantly pointed
to Joe and gave him full credit, causing him to blush.

Bill appeared looking like Conan the Barbarian in a suit. He shook Joe's
hand vigorously while introducing his girlfriend Sondra, a tall redheaded
woman at his side. Bill grew serious and squeezed Joe's arm.

"Good to see you again bud." he said with affection. Joe was afraid Bill
was offended by his absence during the end of the remodel but he showed no
sign of it. Without too much explanation Sam simply said Joe was too
stressed.

A hired musician played jazz guitar from the small stage while everyone
filled up with alcohol and food from the buffet. Sam nudged Joe to go ahead
when the guitarist was done with his set. Joe stood on the stage and got
everyone's attention.

"I want to thank you all for coming, for your help and support in bringing
this place to life. Especially to Bill Thorson and his excellent crew for
all heir work." Joe indicated Bill sitting down in front.

"Bullshit, it's that little twerp you hired." he roared back and everyone
laughed.

"Speaking of that twerp. " Joe gave Sam a lopsided smile.

"I want to thank him for his diligent work here, this really is his
vision." he applauded and everyone else joined in, forcing Sam to stand and
take a bow.

"I also want to thank him for, um something . . .special." Joe said
hesitantly and everyone quieted at his serious expression. Joe glanced over
at Dave whose gaze held him with such affection and anticipation Joe could
hardly breathe.

"I have a confession to make, I have been living a lie for many years and I
want to thank Sam for for making me realize I can't lie anymore." Joe
looked straight at Sam, who watched him with obvious love. Here I go, Joe
thought as he turned to the expectant crowd.

"I'm gay."  there was clap of silence and Joe trembled as he waited.

"Thank God, for a minute I thought you were going to tell us you're
Republican." Bill blurted followed by laughter and applause from the
others.  Most greeted the news with a mixture of surprise, relief and a
causul "so what" shrug.

"Wow, I had no idea." Bernard said to no one in particular in a shameless
attempt at surprise. Dave came over and wrapped Sam in a bear hug.

"Thank God you got the son of a bitch to open up." he said with tears in
his eyes. He stepped back in sudden embarrassment.

"Damn, I never thought I'd see the day." he continued humorously but there
was no hiding the enormous relief at no longer having to bear the burden of
hiding Joe's source of anguish.

Sam was struck by the effect of Joe's pronouncement.  He hadn't expected
it, but like a stone dropped in a pond, the effect rippled through the
lives of those he touched.

Rita, a petite woman with a pinched scowl on her face pushed her way to the
front of the crowd around Joe. Joe tensed as she faced him. He always
respected and kept his distance from the proud, fierce chef who ran the
kitchen like a drill sergeant.

"I'm very disappointed in you Joe Rossini, I wasted three years lusting
after your ass." there was a silence at her remark until she broke into a
girlish giggle. Joe hunched his shoulders in a vain attempt to hide his
acute blush. There would be no end to the ribbing from her for a
while. Rita reached up and gave Sam a kiss on the cheek.

"Lucky bastard, you be good to this man or I'll kill you." she threatened.

"The she'll saute you in butter with mushrooms." Joe added half jokingly.

Sam quickly agreed and once again saw the impact in Joe's revival. He
couldn't be happier for the guy. Joe was equally amazed at how well
everyone took his revelation in stride and he wondered why he worried so
much. He walked around the room greeting people with Sam close to his side,
frequently touching him on the arm or shoulder to assure him. Everyone
hugged or shook Joe's hand, congratulating him on his courage. Joe would
nod, too overcome to form words pass the tight knot in his throat.

Some as he expected, sat in icy silence or left quickly from the
celebration. He suspected there would be a few resignation on his desk
tomorrow. One of them was an older man who stared at Joe and the group
around him with visible disgust. He managed the building where The Iron
Grill was. A condition of the sale to Dave and Joe was his continued
employment doing maintenance. He was the most unpleasant man Joe ever
met. Joe saw him out of the corner of his eye, approaching with
confrontation in mind but was intercepted by Dave's large frame blocking
him. There was a brief exchange then the man shot the lovers an evil look
and left. Dave sauntered over, smoothing his tie as he did.

"What was that all about?" Joe asked, though he had a fair idea. Dave had
been trying to find a way to fire the bastard for years.

"Nothing." he dismissed."Hey I was thinking we should put together a
baseball league with the other bars and restaurants. what do you think?"
Dave enthusiastically wondered out loud, clapping Joe on the shoulder.

Joe had vehemently refused this idea in the past. Dave was taking advantage
of his off balance state and having a crowd present. To his dismay several
others heartily agreed with Dave and he felt his resolve wan. He shot Dave
a dirty look. This was all happening too fast, Joe thought.

"Great idea, I, for one would love to see you in tight pants."  Sam leered
and Joe looked very uncomfortable with the banter. He had come out but he
wasn't used to it yet.

"Um, I'll think about it." he mumbled and everyone reacted as if it was a
done deal.

The rest of the evening passed without incident and by midnight most had
left.  After locking the door he retreated to the rear of the bar where
Dave, Sam, Bernard and Chico sat.

"So now you are Sam mas."  Chico, the oversized bartender was saying to
Sam. Joe frowned, having missed the conversation.

"Ah I get it." Sam patted Chico on the chest with the back of his hand. He
turned to Joe.

"Sam mas means `more Sam' in Spanish. It's a palindrome." he explained and
Joe nodded out of politeness.

"If you leave him you are no Sam Mason." Chico punned further, returning
the smack to Sam.

"Never." he said looking at Joe.

Joe quirked up a corner of his mouth in a moment of doubt. It was possible
Sam would leave him like the others. Rita emerged from the kitchen and
joined the men as they sat sipping their beers and talking quietly. Slow
jazz played on the stereo in the background giving the dark room the
feeling of a speak easy. Joe nudged Sam sitting next to him.

"The place looks good, thanks." he swept the room with a glance. Sam smiled
sheepishly.

"It turned out alright." He said while picking at the label on his beer.

"Alright? It's fucking awesome." Dave said in his trademark loud voice and
there was general agreement all around.

"And you got a boyfriend to boot." Rita added with an arched brow.

"I told you I was a package deal." Sam added mischievously.

"So we won't be seeing you around now that the job's done?"Bernard asked
blithely. Rita smacked him on the back of the head, the jolt made him spill
his beer.

"No doofus." she informed him. He glared a her then looked to Joe and Sam,
comprehension sinking in.

"Oh." he managed and slunk into his chair.

"Actually you will be seeing a lot more of me since I'll be moving into the
apartment next door to Joe." Sam said and the others ohhed
lasciviously. Joe went from a startled pale to an crimson blush in seconds.

" If you worked here you could make sure he's on time." Dave remarked. Joe
was notoriously sloppy about being on time. Sam considered the idea
thoughtfully.

" I could do that." this got another round of lewd responses. Joe halted in
mid sip at the words and stared at Sam to make sure he was serious.

"You really mean that?" Joe thought a job at a bar was a step back to Sam's
career. The others groaned at his naive response.

"I like it there and I'm good at dealing with people." Sam insisted. He
certainly had the personality for it and was more sociable than he was, Joe
mused. Dave cleared his throat and nodded; it was already decided. Everyone
clinked bottles in a toast to Sam. A lively and sometimes bawdy discussion
of what Sam's new duties would be ensued among the gang.

Joe shook his head at the effect Sam had on him. For the first time in his
life he felt lucky and promised himself to do whatever it took to keep this
handsome man at his side. He listened as his friend planned Sam's future
and let his gaze wander around the cozy room with a sense of comfort.

I have a new bar and a new life he thought with a contented sigh.