The Tavern

"...And then she says, 'You got a crush on that girl, boy?' "

"What? Get out of here, that's ridiculous!"

The two men laugh heartily at the story. John and Rick were regulars at O'Malloy's pub. It was a homey place, with wooden tables and benches. Saint Patrick's day was coming up, so the place was dressed head to toe with green streamers and other clover-shaped paraphernalia. The two men were sitting in the corner booth, eating, drinking, having a good time.

John was a tall, lean but built man. Still young in many respects, but with a mature mind that liked exploring deeper meanings. Rick, in contrast, was a bit older, a stronger and wiser fellow. John and Rick originally became acquainted through community sports, but through further interaction, they soon became like brothers.

The two of them were usually too busy with their own lives to "hang out" per se, but John came to Rick for advice usually in times of stress. Other times, they would make time for each other just to talk.

Tonight was no exception.

"So let me get this straight. This girl just asks you if you were crushin' on her friend?"

"Yeah, it was kind of out of the blue. She even pulled me to the side and was all hush hush about everything."

"Now that's a real hoot. This is cause I know you don't love her that way."

"It's all perspective, isn't it?"

"Nah, John. To be perfectly honest, love for a sister shouldn't ever be confused with love for a lover."

"How would you tell the difference to avoid confusion? For yourself, and for others?"

"Hey now, if I knew that, I'd be a really rich man, wouldn't I?"

The two men laughed. As they both clanked mugs and finished their drinks, their laughter echoed through the otherwise empty tavern.