The bar was quiet when she walked in, only three customers and the bartender. She remembered his name was Jake. This was her first time since the breakup, and she felt out of place.
He looked away from the television at the sound of the door, as did the three males who seemed more interested in her than the basketball game. She found a stool and sat, smiling awkwardly.
"Hi, how are you," Jake asked. "Is Bobby on his way?" Apparently he remembered her, too.
"Um, no, Bobby and I aren't seeing each other anymore."
"Oh?" he asked, his eyebrow raised. "Sorry to hear that. But it's nice to see you again. Pam, right"
"Good memory. And it's Jake, right?"
He beamed. "Yes it is. Thanks for remembering. What can I get you, Pam?"
"Stoli, rocks, two... no, three olives."
"Coming right up," he replied, moving away to make her drink. One of the men, a smarmy looking bald guy who was all of about 30 came down and introduced himself as Marty.
She was polite but wasn't interested. Marty didn't pick up on it but Jake did. Marty seemed to be over-served.
"Marty, the lady is just here for a cocktail, and Sandra wouldn't be too pleased if she came strolling in here.
Marty scowled. "I wasn't doing nothing, just being friendly, welcoming her."
"Well, now you have. Why don't you go back to your beer and the game."
Pam waited until he was gone and whispered, "Thanks, if I wanted a drunk old guy, I could have stayed with Bobby."
Jake chuckled. "Yeah, he could get obnoxious when he got going."
"That's an understatement."
She looked him over as she sipped her Vodka. Jake was mid-thirties, tall, with blue eyes and a thin beard. If she was younger, she'd be seriously interested in him, but she was now 50, divorced with two grown kids and a grandson. What would he want with her?
But I can still look, she thought.
They chatted amiably, as the game came to an end and two of the men left. All except for Marty.
"Last call, Marty," Jake announced. "Do you want me to call you a cab?"
"Nah, I'll walk," he replied. "Night," he said, as he passed Pam.
Jake followed him to the door and locked it. "There have been a few stick-ups in the area, so I like to have the lock on. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all. I'll be finished in a second," she said with a smile.
"No rush, I have to clean up yet, so you're welcome to have another. In fact, I'll have one with you." He refilled Pam's and poured a Scotch for himself, then clicked her glass. "I'm glad you came back. I missed your smile."