Lisa enters the small town and is not surprised by the conditions that she find. Almost all the small towns and most of the major cities are in the similar shape. Destroyed buildings, hardly any electricity, disease rampant, water supplies no longer good, and all of this because of the damned aliens.
A cool breeze interrupts her thoughts and she pulls her cloak tighter. She approaches what looks to be the local bar and enters.
As she steps into the room, she removes her hood and walks to the bar. She feels the stare of almost all the occupants as she sits down and calls for the bartender. Most of the stares are gone as the old man approaches.
"What can I get you," the man asks.
"Do you have any rum and coke," she asks.
He nods his head.
"We ran out of coke a year ago. Damned aliens," he mutters.
She looks at him and can see sorrow in his eyes.
Lisa reaches for his hand.
"It will be okay," she reassures and she watches as his sorrow fades a little.
"Thanks," he says. "Things have been so rough."
"I know," Lisa says. "I'll take some rum."
The bartender limps away from her and starts to fix her drink. Her thoughts drift back to that day.So much death and devastation in such a short period of time. It is amazing that anybody survived.
"One rum for the pretty lady."
The bartender's voice brings her from the past and she reaches into her pockets.
"How much," she asks.
He shakes his head.
"On the house."
He sees her look of surprise.
"I know what you are thinking and yes, these days money is coveted by everyone. Even the two dollars for this drink. However, you are the only person in the past three years to offer any reassurance to me. I am old and I know that I will die here in this bar one day. I know this is the best my life will get. However, I still miss my..."
He gasps for words.
"I still miss my Anna."
Lisa takes his hands.
"I can tell. You must have loved her very much."
He points to a picture that hangs behind the bar. The woman in the picture has a wonderful smile. No reson he misses her, Lisa thinks.
"She is gorgeous, isn't she?"
Lisa nods.
"Barkeep..."
The old man looks at a patron.
"Keep your damned pants on! I'll be there in a minute!"
He turns back to Lisa.
"Anyway, you have showed more attention to me than anyone since I lost Anna on that day."
He takes her hand.
"Thank you," he smiles. "By the way, I see a similar loss in your eyes. I am sorry."
