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."