He was jowly from a long history of fast food washed down with cheap beer, but he still had his hair. The man across the table looked a mirror image but for being older and having less to offer a barber.
“So, how’s the karaoke circuit been treating ya?” asked the older man.
“That ain’t fair. I’ve got some record deals brewing. And speakin' of brew, I ain't seen see yours at our QuikMart!”
“Well, that’s what you’re drinking partner. My fifteen minutes is over and it’s affecting sales.”
They sipped the beer and complained bitterly about the National Enquirer.
“I don’t care what they say, it’s not what the rags think of us that matters, or the country or even the world. I've been given the promise dude. I remember it morning and night, every time I f—k up I remember the promise.”
The older man shrugged and offered the younger a bowl of peanuts. They returned to a topic they had in common, their famous brothers.
“They’re both smart as hell. If my brother had your brother’s discipline—“
“And if my brother had your brother’s charm —“
“They’d have ruled the world wouldn’t they of?”
"Like if chocolate met peanut butter."
A stranger walked up. “Don’t I know you?” he asked.
“Prolly. I’m Roger Clinton, and this is Billy Carter.”
~
They parted company. On the jukebox a Patty Loveless song played...
After all my lonely nights
Without an end in sight
A morning shining bright for me awaits
Where the sweetest times will last
All's forgiven from the past
Someday I will
One day I know I will
Someday I will lead the parade
Though they've scattered through the years
Old friends will gather near
With nothing but the kindest words to say
And the sweetest times will last
All's forgiven from the past
Someday I will
One day I know I will
Someday I will lead the parade
And the sweetest times will last
All's forgiven from the past
Someday I will lead the parade
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