A night in town

 It’s10 o’clock on an unusual warm Thursday evening yet the soft northern wind reminded him that the autumn is just an introduction to the cold crispy winter. And winter will come, and then he chuckled remembering the line of that popular TV series from few years back. These clear nights and the cool breeze make him, almost, forget that this year has been extremely warm and has broken all sorts of records. The planet is warming up there is no question about it. However, these are problems too big to think about on his way to meet Maureen. He is thinking about his problems the ones closer to him the ones keeping him awake at night. 

When Maureen mentioned she was going to be in Peterborough he invited her to meet him at the pub on Water Street. His first thought was “It’s Thursday and I have to work tomorrow,” calming himself down he remembered his shift on Fridays started at 11:00 in the morning. It was ok to go out on a weeknight. His second thought was that he was no longer a young man and the muscles on his back hurt, his knees had begun to complain. The doctor had told him that it was a matter of time before he would have to think about knee replacements. Walking up the street was a painful reminder of that. Yet he couldn’t avoid thinking about meeting Maureen. 

Since his divorce, he hadn’t been on a date “Wait a moment, was this a date?” Maureen had been a pal, a colleague. They worked together in Toronto. He liked Maureen. However, back then, he was married and Maureen deserved better. He almost regretted never having said anything. Now he was divorced and certainly willing and available. However, distance was a factor. Since he had moved to Peterborough, to take care of his ailing father, He hadn’t seen Maureen, except at Tom and Jeff’s holiday dinner last year, but even then, they barely talked to each other. There were many colleagues, at the gathering, it was impossible to find a corner to chat.

Nevertheless, now she had called. At the time, he was still married. It was obvious to everyone, and Tom had told him that the writing of his divorce was on the wall. 

Maureen was in town. She wanted to see him. “Perhaps I should have driven my car, no better not to as it was irresponsible to drink and drive, especially since it was not easy to drive at night. If only one, could be young again.” He thought.

Since he moved out to Toronto, the communication between him and Maureen had been sporadic, other than the holiday cards, messages on Facebook and the odd phone calls. The excuse he gave himself was “I have to take care of my dad.”  

Maureen had her life in Toronto and him in Peterborough. Then invasive thoughts disturbed his walk. The memory of his dad telling him not to get married, “when was that? Twenty some years ago.” He tried to disregard those memories not all the years were so bad. More important Maureen called him, she was in town, and he was on his way to meet her. Even though he felt tired and old. “C’mon, who at my age is gallivanting into downtown at 10 o’clock at the night, on a week night? I should had have driven this is a long walk, my knees are no not what used to.” Then he thought about the phone call.

 “What did she say? ‘Hi hon’ I’m in town we should meet” and without thinking twice, he suggested meeting her at the ‘Pub.’ Her call exited him but also scared him.

As he turned right onto, Hunter Street he noticed the restaurants had begun to collapse their patios and move their services indoors. Since the pandemic restaurants, in the summer, offered services outdoors and the patios had even taken over some of the streets. He hardly came to downtown and for him at his age midnight was closer to 9 o’clock. “The summer is over that is for sure.” He thought. 

As he walked into the Pub, he noticed Maureen was already there. She was talking to Jack. “Bloody Jack” he thought. 

She was laughing at whatever Jack was telling her. “Who does he think he is? flirting with Maureen” “How the-hell-do they-know each other” “Do they know each other?” All these thoughts overwhelmed him and rushed into his mind. 

Nevertheless, he was able to re-compose himself, as if the flirting had not affected him. 

He thought, “I’m a mature older man after all and I can handle any awkward situation.”

He said hello to both and then kissed Maureen on the cheek avoiding Jack’s intent of hugging him. 

Jack ordered a round of drinks Maureen asking Jack if he was sure about it, “you seem to be a bit tipsy Jack,” she said. 

Jack’s response was a loud “we only live once, besides I have to take advantage of my student discount.” “Senior’s discount” the bartender interjected pouring Jack a new shot.

“Jack, how long have you been here?”

“I came to dine, and soon after this beautiful person showed up” Jack responded.

Maureen chuckling clarified “C’mon, Jack, I just arrived you clearly have been here for a while.” 

Jack, pretending not to hear her, continued, “One is young only once…the train of life doesn’t wait for anyone.” “When I saw you entering the Pub I left my pals, seating at the table over there…” pointing to a group of men seating on a table by the window, who waved their hand at Maureen, Jack, and him. “…and I thought” Jack continued, “she is beautiful and as the says goes the rest is history.” 

“Jack’’ he said, “You need to stop behaving irresponsibly, I have to go to work tomorrow, and you are already drunk don’t be a mean drunk.” 

To that, Jack responded: “Since I earn my own money, you have nothing to say to me. Not even my father can tell me what to do I have earned my own money since I was 12 years old.”

“Jack” he responded, “your dad has been dead for nearly fourty years and you are in no position to drive yourself home, how did you get here anyway?” Then in a determined and authoritarian voice said, “Maureen and I are going to finish our drinks, and then drive you home in your car! That is not a question…give me the keys.”

Jack looked at his drink, look at him and responded quietly “Sure, it’s OK I am not going to argue with you. You are the vivid image of my dad even your voice sounds like his.”

Then turning his head to Maureen, Jack said, “He is a bitter old man you know, but he is a good man, he has the responsibility of his mom, the character of my dad and somewhere in there my indiscipline” Jack laughed “I know he does.”

At that he responded, “C’mon dad let us drive you home.” 

“Sure”, Jack responded, “here are the keys” and turning to Maureen Jack said “it’s, a 1967 red mustang convertible I bought it new and kept it impeccable ever since…a chick magnet you know” Maureen couldn’t avoid giggling with this young 90-year-old flirting with her.

While walking, Jack hanging from the shoulder of his son began to say, “There is an un open bottle of scotch in the cupboard, I kept it for special occasions and getting to know you Maureen dear is a very special occasion.”

To that his son responded, “yes dad I know” and to Maureen he said “don’t worry, Jack will be asleep by the time we  get home… this is the third time this month he walked out of the retirement home and driven himself to the Pub. The lads seating with him early, called me to tell me where he was. That is why I suggested the Pub.”

Maureen was fascinated by the whole thing and enjoying the company of the two Jacks.

The three of them walked outside on the beautiful and unusually warm fall evening …old Jack was singing an old peace song while young Jack was gently steering him towards the dilapidated old Chevy Nova his father owned.

As they walked toward the parking lot, young Jack felt Maureen taking his arm warmly and all of a sudden, his back and his knees did not hurt anymore…