Just a Beer
Tonight we had one of the usual, drunk customers come into the store and attempt to by beers. I told him that I couldn’t serve him since he was drunk and that I was sorry. He’d been relatively cheerful before I broke the news to him. However after telling him this his whole body sagged and he lost the slight bounce in his step. It was as if I’d knocked all the wind out of.
“I’m not usually like this,” he explained sounding a lot more sober than previously. “In fact I never drink.”
I nodded along thinking about how many other customers had told me this before after I’d refused them service.
“Today is different though… my sister died of cancer today and I just can’t… I just can’t…” he drifted off and stared at the wall of spirits behind me, his eyes glazing over.
“I’m not sure why I’m telling you this…I don’t really know what to do though. You see… well… she was diagnosed seven months ago and now she’s gone. Whoosh, just like that.”
As he told me the story, neither my coworker nor I spoke. There was nothing to say really. I felt sick. Suddenly I saw this poor man properly. I saw his stooped shoulders and wrinkles. I saw his the way his hands shook slightly when he told us the story and how she had to swallow hard every few seconds.
“I understand you can’t serve me. Thank you for being so nice about it. I respect that, I do. But… well… I could’ve really used a few more drinks tonight.”
Every one has a story and I wish I hadn’t been so quick to deny that man his beers. Because if I was in his position I’d be getting wasted as well.
