My buddies had talked me into going to that club, but I wasn't in the mood for the crowds and noise. We sat at the bar, checking out the women, but the place was mostly couples. The few singles seemed standoffish.
At the end of the bar was an older couple, in their fifties, arguing. Who knew about what, but it was ugly. He grabbed at her wrist, and she pushed him away. The bartender had to intervene, and they wound up leaving.
My head pounded and I gave up, told my friends I'd catch them later, and walked to my car. I passed an SUV with the lights on. It was the couple from inside. The woman came bolting out, screaming, "Help! Help me Please!"
Her blouse was torn, showing her bra and her face was streaked with tears. Our eyes met and she whispered, "Please, get me out of here, Please!"
The guy was crawling out behind her, angrier than before, and looking fairly drunk. He saw me and slowed a bit.
She cowered behind me, and I asked him, "Is there a problem?"
"Mind your own business, Ass Hole!"
"This just became my business when you called me Ass Hole," I said, glaring.
He tried to grab at her past me, and I slammed him into the fender with a fore arm to the throat. His hand came up at me and I kneed him in the groin, doubling him over.
I turned to her but she was gone, looking back as she climbed in a cab. He was still doubled over, and I bent and said, "Relax, catch your breath, then go home and sleep it off. And be careful how you treat people."
He was still slumped by the SUV as I drove off.
A week went by and I was at my usual hangout, tossing back a few brews when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to face the woman from the club. "Remember me?" she asked.
"I sure do! Where's your boyfriend?"
She laughed. "He was a blind date, believe it or not. That's why I never go on those things."
