A Conversation

"I read somewhere once that some people get energy from being around others, while others feel drained and need to recharge with alone time."

"Where did you see that?"

"I'm not sure, internet probably, " he says, pushing his empty beer bottle toward the bartender. "I'm thinking the same theory can be related to friendships."

Her brow furrows. "I'm not following." She points to the empty bottle. "You want another?"

He sits, organizing his thoughts. He watches her turn, bend and retrieve another bottle from the refrigerator behind the bar. She is dressed in low rise jeans and a long tight pink tee, the combination exaggerates her breasts and the length of her torso. Her movements are smooth and fluid as she replaces the empty beer with the freshly opened.

"What I mean is friendships can charge or drain you. The best ones, I guess, do both. I think I am the type of person that is drained by friendships. Its like I need time alone to do for myself. I think it's because I give more then I ask in return."

She smiles and there is a spark of mischief in her brown eyes. " Maybe your doing it wrong then."

Shaking his head, he laughs. "Maybe I'm explaining it wrong. " He thinks for a moment. "If your car was broke who would you call for a ride?"

"I dunno, Trish. Heck, last month, when I had that electrical problem I called the bar and asked one of the regulars if they'd give me a ride to work."

"Okay," he starts, sitting up straighter, feeling she has made his point. "Did the guy give you a ride because he wanted to or because he felt obligated to because he's a regular?"

"He probably did it 'cause he thinks he'll get in my pants."

"Yeh, of course, there is that whole factor too..."

The floor waitress comes over and orders a round of shots. The bartender lines up four shot glasses, pours a rich caramel colored liqueur into each and the waitress takes them away on her tray.

"Does it really matter why he did it? Who cares what his reasons are? If he'd said no, I'd just call someone else."

"See that's where we are different. There are a lot more people I would give a ride to, then I would expect to give me a ride."

"Why? Shouldn't you be able to count on them too?"

"I suppose. This guy who gave you a ride. Would you give him a ride home?"

She bites her lower lip. A coy look of guilt cross her face as she thinks about the question. "Probably not him, but if someone I knew better like you needed a ride home-- I would."