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Chapter 3

"You what mate?" Someone shouted through the cold December rain. It has been raining since the end of November. The man was mad cause he just lost his money in a poker game. He was a horrible gambler, and a worse drinker at that. The man always had whisky with him. He says he had to get his mind off of things, but I believe that he just like the numbness it brings him. Yes, it does bring a very comfortable numbness. The numbness makes up for the lack of love. His wife cheated on him with some American named Alan. He was from New York and loved the big city. I always hated the rush that the city would bring me.
I won around 315 pounds that evening in gambling. I had grand conversation with th other fellows at the game. "So, Charlie, what do you do for a living? I've always wondered that."
"I'm a defense lawyer. I'm a very good one at that."
"Well you seem to be good at defending your money." William chuckled at his joke. He's always been kind of a wise guy. His hair was red and he is from a Scottish family. They were very nice people.
"Damn lawyers are the scum of the earth." Grif and I have never got along. My dad died by the hands of a German soldier and I never had the heart to forgive any German. "I still don't understand how you can defend those guilty people. You let damn killers loose. You know how that makes me feel. What would you do if someone killed your whole family. You would be pissed wouldn't you. All your loved ones dead. How would you feel then?"
"I don't have loved ones. Those 'killers' that I defend are just as guilty as you and I. The only thing that sets us apart is that that haven't tried to put you through a trail. We are all innocent until proven guilty, you know."
"That doesn't mean shit. I don't care if the man robbed a store or killed a man. He needs to go to prison for his actions." By this point Griff was yelling.
"You're too uneducated to understand. If we did that we would have everyone thrown in prison. Now tell me, you've never stole before?"
"No... Well not recently. It was nothing. Just some pocket change from a friend. That's different though."
"No, no you said you don't care. To you that would be the same as killing someone. So why don't you turn yourself in if feel this way?"
"Come on guys we are all friends here. No need to argue a petty matter such as this." William always looked into the better of people. I admire that in him. I just can't see the good in people, but yet I've been defending them all these years.
"You're right, William let us just have a few more drinks. Let us not end this night so badly."
"Yes, order some bourbon. I brought some cigars to smoke this night." I have always enjoyed a good cigar. "Here have a cigar." I offered the table.
"Thank you, Charlie. You do like to bring great cigars."
"I would prefer a beer, but this will do."
"I've always been more of liquor drinker, but I've been know to enjoy a good beer every once in a while."
"I've never know you to get drunk before, William."
"I don't like to. I've been there before and I can't stand the way it makes me feel."
By this time it was eleven at night and time to go to sleep. I've never been much for late nights. "Well it's getting awfully late. I would hate to be tired I've got much to do. So I'll see you chaps later."
"Yeah it is kind of late guess I'll need to go home too." Griff said.
"Charlie, let me walk you home. You could use the company. You've been drinking and I would hate for you to get lost."
I got up and paid my tab and walked away. William caught up, "Hey, you doing ok? You've seem a little down recently."
"I just get lonely at nights. I've spent the last month alone and it gets hard. All I do is drink and I've left half empty bottles all over my house."
"Hey, maybe they are half full. You've got cheer up lad. You can't get so down about these things. It'll be ok."
"Yeah, it's been hard since Mallory left. I just have been sleeping around. I'm afraid I've got the drip."
"Love isn't just about sex. I hope you know."
"That's the only type of love I can get though."
"You'll find someone. They'll love you for you. I promise." He put his hand my shoulder. I noticed he had a ring. I didn't know he was engaged.
"Well that helps." I lied. "Thanks. I'm glad you're here for me."
"That's what friends are for. Goodnight, my friend."
"Goodnight." When I got to my house I opened a new bottle of aged scotch and drank till I passed out. It became a rotten habit of doing that.