100 Theme Challenge #60

Sequel of #50, #51, #52 and #54.

60. Midnight 

Part V

(WTH, this challenge flies by so fast)

After quitting the office, Jack headed to the bar. He needed a drink to think properly. The death of one of its bartender had seemed to give the place a fresh start, for there was a lot more patrons than the usual quiet Wednesday night. Fortunately for everyone, his usual seat was available, and he promptly ordered gin on ice. No tonic tonight.

"Here we meet again, Mister Byrne."

Jack looked to his right and saw a familiar he hadn't even noticed.

"Mister Lewinski. I see we both have the same habits."

"Trying to forget our sorrows in alcohol, you mean? Then I agree. How is the case going?"

Jack shrugged. "I can't really talk about it, but it's getting there."

"Is that so? Why do you seem so grumpy, then?" Kenneth chuckled. "I'm sorry, I don't want to intrude, but if you have any problems, I'm willing to hear them."

"I'm here to get away from my wife." He took a sip. "And why are you here, Mister Lewinski? Also trying to get away from the wife?"

"No, I don't have a wife, I never felt attracted to anyone enough to get married."

Jack threw him a look. He seemed sad. "Then why are you here, on your own?"

"To enjoy life, of course!" Kenneth raised his glass, and Jack did the same. They clinked them together before gulping down the rest of their drink. Kenneth let out a loud laugh.

Jack didn't even know why he was unhappy with Barbara. She was the wife he dreamed about when he was a teenager with a beautiful smile and delicious dishes. She was funny too, when she wanted to be. They had been married for three years now, and yet they were without child. It wasn't that he didn't want one, it just… never occurred to him to discuss about it with Barbara, and she never did either. Maybe she didn't want to have kids. With the way her father treated her, he could only understand. He didn't think that was a problem, he felt he was just unhappy with her. He needed, yearned something else.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

Jack blinked. "Do you ever stop a moment and notice that odd waiting sensation? You're waiting for something, yet you don't know what. I usually don't because it's so uncomfortable. Such a bizarre sensation in the pit of my stomach." He sighed, caught Kenneth's gaze. "What I'm trying to say is, I've been trying to fill that void with gin and tonics for a while now, even though I know it's useless."

He regretted telling the man, but Kenneth showed a dimple as he stared at his drink, but not in mockery. "Could you believe I feel the same thing, that eternal waiting feeling you speak about? Maybe it's the reason we're both sitting here; now."

And here he leaned his head to the side, watching him with those deep eyes of his. Jack was about to reply, when another conversation caught his attention.

(What is 100TC?)