Games Of Fools

old. A breeze crept over the earth like a thoughtful sigh, neither cold nor warm, simply present, as if even the weather had resigned itself t

rped by age, a stale scent of spilled beer and roasted peanuts, and that dim yellow light that cast the whole interior in a permanent sepia tone. Locals crowded

amps. Devin gave him the usual nod, a silent acknowledgment between men who had shared too many bottles and too many regrets. A couple of t

man dropping into a familiar g

m, the dark liquid sloshin

ng at the finish line." He stared into his drink, watching the amber liquid catch the light.

clock shadow, leaned forward, curiosity a

ibs." He rubbed his temple, as if the memories themselves were pressing against his skull. "My mom's ther

rom his lips, exhaled a slow stream of smoke. "Let's

es lost somewhere between the wooden beams of th

ke someone ripped the sun out of my sky. She was... everything. My best friend. My peace. After she pa

atter of glasses and the murmur of other

like a walking miracle-smile that could lift the devil from his throne, eyes you'd swear were born to heal. She was there thro

re whiskey into his mug. The liquid glowed l

divorce. Says she never loved me. Just saw potential." He scoffed. "Turns out a frien

uttered, shak

out of her own mess-debts, loans, life crashing down around

d, his cigar forgo

ay 'em back. House, car, investment accounts-gone. I gave her ev

g in the air, thick

ngers tightened around his mug. "That's when I shut down. Stopped writing. Stopped trying. The job at LTN was my l

onal burst of laughter from other patrons felt distant, muffled, as if the fou

quiet. "Man, I'm sorry.

od. "Just needed to

university. Paid her rent, bought her textbooks, even got her a damn laptop. The moment she graduated and

redit, maxed it out on designer bags and 'business dinners'-which, surprise surprise, turned out to be d

ckering behind his tired eyes. "G

as hell won't be the last. But here's the thing-y

aintly. "A sh

ew start, new dream, even just peace. But y

used expression. "Isn't that

ear my head, if you know what that means." He leaned in. "But

al. "Yeah. I don't know. I just couldn't believe it. Everyt

. "Life, buddy

e whiskey had settled deep, blurring the edge

pping him on the shoulder. "W

long while, the corners of his lips curled up-not in joy, but in acceptance.

ed. But for Jake, the night had reached its climax. And

tle town of Pherros like curious eyes. And in the Bull Bar, b

-

alk H

s arms slung over their shoulders, his boots dragging in the d

er than he looks,

p. "Yeah, well, grief'

e, the only sounds their footstep

be alright?" Devi

But he ain't alone.

"Yeah. That'

l gaze of the moon, t