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while keeping his
confidence in tact. “Take your shot.”
    Stephen’s eyes were fixated on Lisa, who was smiling at
Paul and enjoying the gawking crowds. His heart fell to the floor and it
felt like his entrails were sprawled out for everyone to see.
    Stephen had seen Lisa many times onscreen. She had
been in plenty of movies that he kept tabs on. But seeing her in person
was different. Much different. He was reminded of the smile that
used to radiate his heart and illuminate his soul. His mind had
forgotten, but his heart would never forget. She hadn’t noticed him
yet. Her laugh was the same one he heard many years ago. Stephen
wanted to ditch the area to avoid the inevitable. It would be best for
both of them.
    Too late. Amid the excitement, Lisa finally turned
her head and looked at Stephen. The exuberance in her face abruptly
weakened. Her smile dropped and her eyes widened. She was
stunned. Stephen looked into Lisa’s eyes and she became visibly
shaken. Her eyes darted back and forth, looking at the ground, but always
shooting back to Stephen. She attempted to regain her composure before
Paul figured out something was wrong.
    The crowd refocused on the pool table while others drifted away.
Stephen pulled his gaze away from Lisa and back to the table. It would be
hard to make any moves without feeling her eyes on him. He walked toward
the end of the table to get closer to the cue ball. He tiptoed his way
past Lisa and Paul. Lisa, who was snug in Paul’s arm, kept a laser view
of Stephen as he snuck past.
    Stephen looked at Lisa and whispered, “Hi.”
    Lisa half-smiled in response. Her eyes were
unsure. He could tell she was a wreck on the inside. He wanted
nothing more than to reach out to her. To give her a hug. A
reassuring hug, a caring hug, it didn’t matter. But he had to focus on
the game.
    Stephen lined up his shot. “8-Ball corner
pocket.” He wasted no time. The shot was quick and perfect.
The 8-Ball obediently traveled into the corner pocket. The game was over.
    Stephen walked over to Paul’s guards to collect his
earnings.
    “That was great!” Campbell exclaimed to no one in
particular.
    “It was nothing,” Stephen said as the guard handed him his
cash. “In fact, here.” Stephen transferred the money directly from the
guard’s hand to Campbell’s. “Thanks for your help.” Stephen no
longer cared about the money or the game.
    Campbell looked at the huge wad of cash in his hand.
It was times like these he really loved his job. The guard glared at
Campbell, who said, “Take it easy fella,” with a giant smile.
    Stephen went to the bar. He found a seat where Lisa
and Paul were still in his view. They kept hidden across the way, in the
corner with their guards. They were chatting with friends and fans.
Stephen figured he might as well keep an eye on them in case Lisa decided she
wanted to talk. He couldn’t approach her. That would ruin whatever
she had with Paul. It would be better if he waited. At least that’s
what he figured. So he sat and watched.
    The multitudes of people in the bar made it difficult to
maintain sight of them. Stephen drank and drank some more. For this
occasion, he opted for some shots. It was the best way to numb the
emotions he didn’t care to feel. The drunker he became, the louder the
bar seemed to grow. The music and nonsensical sound of people talking
over it started to give him a headache. He wouldn’t stay much longer.
    The Lisa Binsby sighting reminded him of his regretful
life. It killed him to think he’d have to live it all again, naïve of his
miserable future.
    Campbell sat next to Stephen, “Thanks for the cash, old
friend.”
    “Who you calling old?”
    Campbell laughed, “Can you believe Lisa Binsby is
here? She’s so great!”
    “Yeah… She’s great.”
    Stephen kept his eyes on Lisa. Paul Higgins had his
arm around her with her body closely tucked to his. She inconspicuously
glanced around, probably looking for him.