Jake’s Bar stood on the corner of Broadway and Ocean Avenue. The old building was originally built so that the doorway faced the intersection on a diagonal. It was a small wooden structure with an old faded wooden sign over the door. Dusty neon signs hung in the front windows that read ‘Budweiser’ and ‘Coors’. Inside was dark and uninviting. The long bar was situated to the right, against the wall. Lines of bottled beers that Jake’s offered and the shelves of top-drawer brand liquors that were rarely opened were on display behind the bar. Cold bottled beer was kept in an ice chest under the bar and the well-brand liquor was kept on a shelf under there also. On the opposite wall were several cramped booths and in the area between the booths and bar were several small round tables. In the rear was a room with a pool table - dollar a game – and a dart board. Beyond the pool room were the rest rooms – 'gulls' and 'buoys' – and the greasy kitchen where fried food was prepared.
The wind was strong out of the Northeast violently driving the rain onto the windows of Jake’s Bar. A young man in his mid-thirties walked in and stood in the doorway until his eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings. Josh was a man of average height with black wavy hair, black piercing eyes set in thick eyebrows on a broad forehead, a square cleft chin with a well-groomed beard and tanned weathered skin. Self-assuredly he strode to the bar, removed his wet jean jacket and draped it on the back of the bar stool revealing his muscular physique under his blue tee shirt. He wore faded blue jeans and boat shoes.
The auburn-haired woman standing behind the bar with hazel green eyes, and a stunning body watched as he sat down. The tight white blouse she wore emphasized her ample breasts and her short skirt revealed shapely legs and well-toned thighs. “What’ll it be?” She smiled at the handsome man.
“You have Sam Adams? Thanks, it’s pretty nasty out there right now.” He settled on the stool. “So, how have you been?” He asked the question like he knew her; like he’d been there many times before, a regular. The strange thing was that this was his first time in Jake’s as far as she could recall.
“What’s your name?” The woman asked, intrigued by the good-looking man. She leaned her elbows on the bar in front of him.
“Josh. I’m Josh and let me guess. You’re Samantha but friends call you Sam.” He smiled with a warmth that made her feel comfortable while at the same time she felt a sense of, was it fear or something else? He lifted the glass and tipped it toward her, “Thanks Sam.”
Taken aback she said, “That’s right! But how’d you know? I mean, I’ve never laid eyes on you before, how’d you know? I’ll bet big Al told you to come in and play like you knew my name.” Big Al was one of the boatmen who hung out at Jake’s Bar. “Was it Big Al…who got you to do this?” She rose and leaned against the back of the bar smiling and trying to guess who the joker might be. “It’s Big Al. I’d bet money on it.”
“No, it wasn’t, who’d you say – Big Al.” He smiled a reassuring pleasant smile. “No one told me. I just knew it. You look like a Samantha is all.” Josh did this a lot - guessed people's names - and rather enjoyed the discussions that would come as a result. “Just got into town with two friends who are to meet me here. Only in town for a while. We came up on my buddy Pete's boat for some fishing. Kinda’ like a vacation.” He took a sip of Sam Adams. “I can tell you more about you, if you’d like. Let’s see, you’re single now. Divorced. Married twice, your first husband was killed in the Iraq war that President George W. Bush started. Am I right?” Yes, he was right but how did he know, how could he? She turned her attention to two other customers who came in.
“Hi Sam. You alright…look like you just seen a ghost or something,” said the big guy named Al. “Gimme’ a Bud. And one for Slick too.” Slick was headed for the door that said 'Buoys'.
When Slick came back Sam leaned across the bar as she placed the bottles down and quietly asked them, “You ever see the guy at the end of the bar before?” Both men shook their head and took a swig of their bottles.
Just then the door opened, and two men entered. “Hey Josh, what’s up?” The stocky blond with a balding head asked. He looked like he had a hard-scrabble life, scraping out a living at manual labor. His jeans were well worn, and his shirt tail was hanging out of his pants, yet he had a pleasant smile. “Bud please,” he asked Sam as she approached rather hesitatingly.
“I’ll have one too. Thanks,” the thin fella said. He looked at Sam and smiled. He was younger and taller than either Josh or the stocky guy and neater in his appearance.
“Sam, meet my buddies Pete and John. These are the friends I came up here to fish with. It’s Pete’s boat; the Gal-a-Leah.” Sam cautiously slid the bottles across the bar to their waiting hands.
Pete looked around and spotted the pool table. “John, how about we shoot some pool. Bet you five bucks a game. You hungry Josh? Lunch is on me. Sam, could we order three burgers, some fries and onion rings?” Pete slapped Josh on the shoulder and retreated to the back room. Soon the sound of colliding balls was heard.
“I can tell you’re not happy, are you Sam?” Josh looked into her green eyes. “You wanted better things of your life and for your boy. It just didn’t work out.” He shrugged and folded his hands on the bar. “Happens to many people, you’re not alone. Pete and John, they wanted more out of life too.” He took another swallow. “Me, I’m happy with the way my life turned out.”
“Who are you? Leave Tommy out of this! Oh my God! Oh my God! You took him!” She whispered in frightened disbelief and headed for the phone to call the sheriff.
“Sam don’t do that. I haven’t kidnapped your son. I just know things about people. That’s all.” Josh's warm smile and likable manner made her want to believe him. “Please, please just trust me for a few moments.”
Sam spoke in an agitated whisper, “Are you a lawyer or something? How’d you know about my divorce. You here about the divorce? It was settled. I kept the house that I had when I came into the damned marriage. He kept most of his pension plan. It is over and done with.” She clasped her arms across her chest, closed her eyes, shook her auburn ponytail, kind of hugged herself and glared at Josh.
“No and no. I’m not a lawyer and I’m not here about the divorce. I only came in for a drink and a little conversation. You know there’s only so much one can take of Pete and John while on a small boat for a couple of weeks.” He chuckled, “They’re good guys but sometimes they are clueless about life. Neither one of us put down real roots. Me I just like to travel. Never married. Don’t think I will. A commitment like that puts a lot on a person.” He pushed the glass across the bar. “May I have another?”
As she was pouring another draught Josh began again, “Sam, most bartenders listen to their customer’s troubles, rants and concerns. Divorces, lost loves, lost jobs, bad economy, lousy weather and so forth. I bet you hear it all. Sometimes you need to sit on the other side of the bar. Sometimes you’re hurting and need someone to listen. That’s what I'd like to do. Give you that opportunity.” Josh’s warm smile comforted her.
“But how’d, how'd you know about my divorce and the death of my first husband in Iraq? I don’t understand that. Are you a psychic?” It was slow at Jake’s in the afternoons, so she walked around the bar and sat next to him. “I’m not sure who you are, but you seem to know that inwardly I am hurting. How do you know that?” She turned and faced him. Josh stared deep into her pretty green eyes. 'He’s almost searching my soul', she thought.
“Hurt and hurting. Everyone is hurting somehow. It’s part of living, but one doesn’t have to hurt alone. Pete, he lost his wife and John he hasn’t been able to find anyone to share his life with, so he hangs with me and Pete. As for me, I once found someone, but my work kept me from making anything of it.” He shrugged. Sam stood, excused herself and went to the kitchen.
“Here you go.” She slid the plate in front of Josh. “Pete, John c’mon. Burgers are up,” he hollered into the back room. The pool balls stopped clicking. As Sam stood behind the bar, she tried to size up this trio of strangers. It didn’t make sense, yet she was beginning to trust Josh.
“See Slick over there," Josh asked Sam. "He’s hurting. I know he is. And his buddy Big Al. Al just suffered a major business reversal. He’s got his problems also. We all do.” Josh bit into his burger, the juice and ketchup dripping onto his plate.
“So,” Josh asked as he turned to Pete, “did he whip your butt again? When will you learn not to mess with John. The guy is too good for you.” Pete shrugged, “Almost had him and then he ran the table. Three times. I think he sets me up. Maybe ‘cause he’s taller he gets a better view of the angles. I don’t know.”
"Al’s boat burned to the waterline two weeks ago. Some kind of suspicious fire supposedly set by an angry competitor. The whole thing is under investigation," Sam whispered as she leaned over the bar. “I know," said Josh. "Wiped out his business for the entire season. Like most fishermen he doesn’t have a lot of cash. It’s a hand to mouth business and the first dollars go to upkeep and repairs to the boat. Tough life. Big Al, he’ll come out all right.” He took another bite of burger. “These are good.” He smiled again. “See Slick? He’s suffering although he puts up a tough appearance.” Sam whispered, “How’d you know that? The boat fire was in the local paper two weeks ago, but you just came into town you said. And Slick? This is getting too weird.” Sam returned to the other end of the bar to think, 'Slick has a wife who was just diagnosed with cancer, and he is heartsick over the thought of losing her. But how’s this guy know that.'
The three men ate and chatted and laughed. At the other end of the bar Sam played with her pack of Salem cigarettes eyeing the three of them cautiously. She needed a smoke to help clear her thoughts. “Slick, I’m stepping out for a smoke. Be back in a few minutes. If the phone rings come get me.” She paced and smoked and thought, 'Who are these guys and how do they know so much about everyone?'
It was still raining but the wind had calmed. Sam stood in the doorway and watched the rain drops fall into puddles making little explosions as each one hit. “Weird, this is weird,” she took a long drag on her Salem and exhaled tossing the half-smoked butt into the puddle at the curb and went back inside. The three were still there. She knew they would be. There was only one way in or out other than the kitchen. Soon it would be 5 o’clock, her shift would end, Jake would show up for the day’s receipts and then Mary would come to relieve her and work until closing. Sam slipped off her jacket and walked behind the bar. “Josh, do you want another? Something else? John, do you or Pete want another?” She waited with her hands on a towel wiping the bar after clearing their plates away. “Oh, I guess we have time for one more. One and done as they say.” Josh watched her every move as she reached down into the chest for two Buds. Then she poured another Sam Adams for Josh.
She was pretty and graceful. Josh felt deeply moved by her loneliness. As she slid the bottles across the bar he quietly said, “Things will get better for you. Trust me. I know loneliness and sadness. Even my friends here disappoint me now and again but trust me things will turn out to be okay.” He gave her a wink. “Oh, and you really should give up the smokes. They injure your body. I know you’ve tried; you don’t need to say it.” He looked at her kindly with his dark piercing eyes.
John and Pete were back to playing pool when the clouds began to thin, and a slight brightening began to filter through. Before long the sun had peeked through the clouds and the late afternoon was turning out to be half decent. As he put his denim jacket back on, he called to his friends. “Hey guys, its clearing. Time to go. We still have fish to catch.” John paid the tab, left a nice tip for Sam and the three men left. As they crossed the street Sam went to the window and watched them disappear toward the town wharf.
That was Thursday. Sam couldn’t sleep all night thinking of her encounter with this seer named Josh and his buddies. 'That was what he was, one of those guys that the police hired to help solve mysterious cases. What were they? Clairvoyant, that’s what he was a clairvoyant.' She rose early on Friday morning anxious to get to work and wondering if they would return. She’d thought of a lot of stuff to ask the stranger named Josh.
It was a beautiful, bright and sunny morning. The salt air was refreshing and clear. At 9 o’clock Sam entered Jake’s and began to set up for her shift. The usual commercial fishermen would be drifting in after a night dragging nets across the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. By noon they would be gone, back to their rooms or boats to sleep until late afternoon when they would once again steer their draggers through the winding inlet out to the open water for another night of fishing, the long booms and rigging stretching from the sides of their boats like a giant skeleton's arms. Day and night didn’t mean much to fishermen as long as the fish were out there, they’d chase them.
Sam waited anxiously through the afternoon. The usual clientele came in, but Josh, Pete and John never showed. Big Al came in about 4 o’clock; later than usual. “Afternoon pretty lady. How’s it goin’?” Sam passed a bottle of Bud across the bar to him. “Beautiful day ain’t it Sam.” She leaned against the back of the bar with her arms across her chest, “Al, have you seen that guy Josh and his two friends around the wharf? They were in here yesterday. Same time as you and Slick.”
“Who?” Al asked. “Josh? Don’t know any Josh. Me and Slick were the only guys here yesterday. You sure; a guy named Josh, and two other guys you say. Sam I can’t say that I have.” She gave him a troubled look. “You okay Sam? You look like someone took the wind out of your sails. Like you seen a ghost.” He drew on the bottle. She shook her head. “Sure you’re O.K?” he asked. “I’m fine,” she said. “Please Al quit kiddin’ around, remember yesterday the guy that sat right here at the bar. Nice looking guy. Muscular, dark hair. Had two guys with him, the other guys played pool most of the afternoon. He sat right there. Told me stuff about myself. C’mon you remember yesterday? Al, c’mon quit fooling with me. They sat right there yesterday.” Al slowly shook his head, “Can’t say I recall them at all Sam. Maybe when Slick gets here he’ll remember. You sure you’re okay?” Sam walked to the end of the bar, sat on a stool and played with her pack of Salems.
Slick walked in and grabbed a stool next to Al. Sam got a Coors Light out of the cooler and slid it across the bar to him. “Slick, I have to ask you…and Al, you don’t say anything. Slick, there were three guys in here yesterday. One guy sat right down at the bar there and I talked to him a lot. His two buddies spent most of the time playing pool. You remember them?” She was almost pleading with him, begging him to remember. Slick leaned back on the stool and thought for a moment. “Sam, honey, I don’t have a clue about what you’re talkin’ about. Yesterday there was me and Al here ‘til about 4 o’clock when it began to clear then we left. Sorry, I can’t say I saw anyone other than ol’ Hacker. He was here but you’d have heard him.” He took a draw from his long neck. “Well, you guys, I know what I saw and who I talked to yesterday. If you guys want to pull my chain that’s okay. I know I’m not nuts.” She turned in a huff and busied herself washing glasses behind the bar.
Saturday turned to Sunday and she and Tommy spent the weekend enjoying time together at the beach. He was starting to mature slowly, and Sam got enjoyment from watching him turn from a child into a teenager. Weeks turned to months and in time Sam all but forgot about her encounter with Josh. On the occasions that she did think about it, it seemed like some kind of a dream. Her days passed as usual: Get Tommy off to school, get dressed including hair and makeup, then off to Jake’s Bar for work, at the end of her shift head home to make dinner and watch TV. She hadn’t socialized much since the divorce and felt as though she would never get back into the dating scene.
On a bright and breezy afternoon, the warm sun dancing on the small waves riding the incoming tide and the air full of the smell of salt and sand, a man in his early forties came into Jake’s Bar. As usual Sam presented herself in front of him and asked, “What can I get you?” She offered him a quick smile her green eyes flashing, her auburn ponytail reflecting the rays of sun coming in the front windows.
“I’ll have a Sam Adams please.” The good-looking man with brown hair and a season’s tan asked. “And also, a menu. I’m starved.” He looked around the place. “Is it always this quiet?” He found the juke box and inserted four quarters. Something by Neil Diamond started to play. Steve watched her as she moved down the bar to draw his beer and get the menu. “You’re new here. Just passing through or on vacation?” She asked him as he browsed the menu. “My daughter and I just moved in, and we haven’t met anyone yet. I’m Steve, and you are…?” He smiled and when he did, she saw a gleam in his brown eyes. “Well Steve, I’m Samantha but friends call me Sam.”
Big Al wandered in and took his usual seat. Sam twisted the cap off a Bud and handed it to him. “How ya’ doin’ today Sam? You’re lookin’ good.” She didn’t know why but she blushed. “What’s new with you today Al?” She hoped he’d open up with some gossip. Al drew on his bottle then offered, “Slick’s wife is respondin’ to the treatment. That’s good news…and I got the insurance settlement on my boat today. Soon I’ll be back on the water.” Sam grabbed Al’s big hand, “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you both.”
Sam moved down the bar to take Steve’s order. “What’ll you have Steve?” Recalling the episode or dream or whatever it was with Josh, she was betting he’d order a burger. “I’ll have the Reuben.” He said as their eyes met.