Bluest Blue

In the middle of the night
Did you think I'd be alone

Mateo had long since finished his marketing stint in the Haulani port and retreated to his home away from home, The Hanged Man. Sales that day had been minimal and the rest of his catch was either traded for his own dinner or a few drinks at the bar. The pocket change he had made paid for the other drinks he insisted on nursing through the wee hours of the night.

He wasn’t quick to admit how he avoided his home even years later past his wife’s death, convinced that she’s just out of the corner of his eye whenever he is there. Those that stopped by the local bar were sure to see him here on more than one occasion during the week, either sitting at the bar by himself or taking his drink to go and heading for the beach.

This night hasn’t seen much movement on his behalf, staying squarely in the bar seat. Any moving from it too soon and he’s more likely to fall flat on his face than shamble out of there with his dignity still intact-- whatever was left of it. As was his usual, he kept to himself with a glass of whiskey he sipped to keep busy while scratching at the scuffed bar tops with nails chewed down to nubs.

"Hey... I'll take another one, keep." It's slurred but he sets his empty glass down with enough force to get the bartender's attention.

Waiting patiently for you
to come home