Keeping Score

The bartender strolls from one end of the counter to the other. She makes small talk with regulars who watch NFL games on screens and a college basketball game plays on another. For each touchdown scored mugs are raised. Fans analyze every run and play and the day unfolds. while the bartender pours beers. She says her boyfriend and dog are at home. A man at the end of the bar pays his tab. A woman from public housing pushes her walker and sits in their midst. She’s come in to watch Cubs games and she’s here again although baseball season is over.