"Welcome in!" The barkeep shouts as I open the door. "I'll be with you in a second, so take your time." He goes back to cleaning glassware and talking to other customers.
I look around the room and see all the people from different backgrounds. I hear their chatter mingle and their steps on the aged wood beneath them. Soft music plays and drifts over from the bar, matching the crowd's attitude as they merge softly in the air. They begin harmonizing as I get lost in thought and imagine all the different lives of each person here.
A woman in her early twenties stands across the room, laughing with her friends and chatting. I begin to imagine what her life may be like. Maybe she likes art or math. Perhaps she is a professional athlete. I examine her characteristics and try to find more defining features to make my guess more accurate and begin to feel myself in her shoes. My day starts with a loving good morning belly flop from my Great Dane and a brisk walk around the neighborhood. I kiss him goodbye and head to work where my boss is demanding, but the job is rewarding. My day flies by, and I catch the subway home while taking a call from my mom.
"Yeah, Mom, work is going fine," I say as a soft smile forms as I can tell she's worried about me. "I may even be up for a promotion this year."
"That's amazing, dear!" She shouts through the phone. "It's about time; I know how hard you've been working lately. I'm happy they're finally seeing your worth."
My phone starts buzzing, and I see my friend calling. "Hey, mom, I gotta go. Rachel is calling."
"Okay, dear, tell her I say hello. Don't be a stranger."
Rachel and I talk for a while, and she asks me if I want to head out to the bars tonight. I figure I may as well agree. I head home, get ready, and then meet her a while after the sun goes down.
I snap back from my daydream and hear the barkeep talking to me again. " Sir, have you decided what you want to try?" He gives me a professional smile.
"Can you just get me your mindwalker, please?" I say with a chuckle as I reread the menu.
"No problem. Do you want your tab open or closed?" He says with a grin.
"Open, please." I begin to look around the bar again. I see an older gentleman sitting across the bar. His hair has greyed, and from here, I can see a lot of life lived in his eyes and wrinkled skin. I begin to wonder what his life is like.
I wake up next to a picture of my late wife, Ann. She passed five years ago, and every day without her feels like a piece of me is missing. I start getting ready to leave for the day and put my shoes on. I head out the door and lock it behind me as I call my daughter, who lives out of state. "Hey, sweetie, how is everyone doing? Are my gran babies doing good?"
"Hey, Dad, everyone is doing well. Stevie made the school soccer team and keeps asking when you are coming to a game," she laughs through the phone, and I can hear the age in her voice but also still hear my little girl in there loud and clear. "Hey, Mike and I were talking and wanted to see if you wanted to come and stay with us for a few days next month. The kids would love to see you this summer."
"I would love to come and be there. Tell everyone I said hello and that I love them. Anyway, I'll let you go so you can get back to your business. I love you, hun."
"I love you too, Dad. Stay safe."
The call ends, and I walk down to the farmers market to get my daily exercise. I greet people I pass and check on my neighbors. Approaching the market, I hear lively voices and conversations. Merchants call out deals to make money, and customers negotiate. I spot some knickknacks Ann would love and decide to buy one or two. A small flower crafted from old kitchen knives and a charming portrait of hot air balloons above a mountain range catch my eye. Ann adored nature and dreamt of a hot air balloon ride. By midday, I leave the market, carrying Ann's gifts. I hope she appreciates them. Upon reaching her, I share the highlights of my day so far.
"Hey, sweetie. I hope you are having fun up there. Dianna is doing okay. Stevie made the soccer team, apparently, and we scheduled my visit for the summer. I wish you could come with me and see them. I brought you some nice finds from the market. I know it's not much, but I hope you like them. I miss you so much. Every day is harder than the last without you."
Time begins to fade in my day before I decide it's time to go. Maybe I will swing by the local bar on my way home.
I come back to myself as the night begins to fade. I pay my tab after chatting with other customers. As I get ready to go, I buy my two new friends another round of drinks. I thank the bartender for some good stories and end my night. I look forward to tomorrow.