“How’s the weather gonna be for the Fourth o’ Ju-ly?” Sam
seethed ominously.
Frank approached Sam with caution.
“Sam, how are you… I mean, I thought you–”
“I asked how’s the weather supposed to be for Independence
Day!” Sam shouted.
Frank retreated while Eddie raised his head to look at Sam in
despair. Sam chuckled contemptuously.
“Got a light, Eddie?” Sam quipped. “Oh, that’s right, you don’t
smoke anymore. Frank?”
Frank recovered a lighter from his pocket and handed it slowly to
Sam.
“Thanks,” Sam exclaimed.
He lit his cigar and took three good puffs before casually exhaling.
A cumulus cloud of smoke hovered above his temple.
“Why are you here?” Eddie asked Sam.
“I wish Merle would get his act together and whip me up a nice
steak sandwich!” Sam hollered back into the kitchen.
“Dammit Sam, why are you here?!” Eddie shouted, springing out
of his stool.
“Sam,” Frank asked rather quietly. “What could you be doing
here?”
Sam’s eyes were focused on old Mr. Leonetti, snoring at his table
with an empty shot glass resting beside his elbow. Sam walked over
to the table and picked WF