strong drinks bring me happiness

After a dreadfully, long day at work yesterday, I headed to the bar right by my work. It's a dinky little place. There are beaded curtains covering the windows. It smells like humus from the Indian restaurant that is connected to it. I worked my way to the bar immediately and nodded at a few of the regulars that I've seen in there before. I use to hate going to the bar alone, but I figured if it's a block or two from my apartment it's definitely okay. I order a long island since they make them quite strong for me here since I tip well. They're playing blues over the sound system and a few movies on the televisions scattered through out with subtitles on. I pound down my long island and order another one. The bartender glances at me since he knows I don't pound them that quick unless it's been one of those days. Hell I usually don't come here unless it's one of those days! He asks me whats wrong, as I watch him pour a little extra of each liquor into a bigger glass for me. I just answer simply life. He sets down my drink and heads off to serve a few older gentlemen on the other side of the bar. When he comes back around he sets a jar of olives in front of me and tells me to eat them. I love olives and I've stated this to him before during one of our small talks. I think I ordered a martini one day and he laughed at me since they definitely don't serve them here. I told him I just like the olives not the actual drink. So since then on he's had a jar that he'll break out when he sees me come in like this. I think it's pretty sweet, usually I'd assume he was hitting on me. Since I have met his boyfriend when I went to the other bar (which is very gay friendly) on the block by my house, I know better! In between his orders he asks me how I'm doing and although I shouldn't I order yet another strong long island I end up doing so anyways. He puts this one in a regular size glass and I pout at him a little. Once I finish my drink I ask for my tab. He gives me the slip as I'm breaking out my wallet. When I look at it I see he only charged me for one drink. I look at him and ask why. He tells me, "it's been one of those days for me too and I figured it's the least I can do". I thank him and tell him I hope things look up, as he walks away to help a bouncy blond who's trying to hit on him. I'm always in awe with the generosity of people some times. I guess it's more of a bigger thing to me since I've been living here in Minneapolis, since it's rare to see here. I smile to myself as I look down at my five dollar bar tab. I grab a few olives and throw down a twenty. As I walk out he yells out to see if I needed change. I tell him, "it's the least I can do". Once I go home I lay in bed smiling, feeling way better than I did before. Thank god for strong drinks!