He seemed like the quiet sort. Probably out to have a drink in peace while still trying to maintain a pretense of social life. I understood the type well, I had been one. Trying to reconcile myself with events long buried in the past...and the fact that future held only more of the same, with the choice I had made.
I had come here to avoid my brooding memories, but the brain is an uncooperative bastard at times. Returning to the present, I focused on the Officer who was looking at me, mildly surprised. He couldn't have guessed what was on my mind, the long years had perfected my mask, something which slid on automatically. A calm look, and a focused intensity which I had to project if I wanted to do my job right.
"Right...Should probably arrange for some first aid for the poor bastard. Or has that already been taken care of?"
I tried to pinpoint the captain he was talking about, but the crowd was pretty dense. After a few moments, I gave up. If the captain's displeasure reached breaking point, we'd probably find out.
"There isn't a lot to be happy about right now, friend," I said, trying to make my way to an empty stool and beckoning him to follow.
"So....introductions. I'm Lewis, Lieutenant Commander...although you probably figured that out already."
Reginald Lewis indeed. A war veteran to most, a friend to an increasingly shrinking circle of people...and a washed up old fool who had seen too much and didn't know how to let go to me. And yet again, what I said did not match my thoughts at all.
"So...what will you take?" I said, gesturing towards the bartender.
