This is what I needed.

A Story by Max Hilton

Hurt man seeks the comfort of a long lost friend.

9:30 P.M.

The day has came and went and the moon is in full sail. The air humid, the night young.

Today hasn't been Matthew Bates best day. He failed his first test of the year, his

mother is disowning him, and his brother max just got put in the hospital. The night serves as

a perfect way to wash away his emotions.

"Where to?", Matt asks himself.

Less than two hundred yards away stood Rudy's Bar and Grill. Perfect. A he got closer he could hear music and the air felt warmer with each step. There was a big sign over the front door that said: Welcome family, come on in. Matt had been friends with Rudy's son, Andrea since middle school and his parents truly did treat everyone like family.

Matthew walked in and took a seat at the bar, close enough to a TV but without having to engage

in small talk with other patrons.

"What can I get you?" asked the bartender.

Matt looked up. "Steven?" "Oh, hey

Matt, haven't seen you in ages man. How it been?"

"Not too good bro, not too good.

"Need to talk to someone?", asked Steven.

"I appreciate it man but I want to put my sorrows at the bottom of a bottle tonight."

"I got ya man. Tell you what. I'll give you my employee discount for old times sake. What do you say?" Asked Steven.

"Thanks man, I appreciate it.

After three shots of grey goose, Matt limbered up a little and started to feel a little of the stress

go away. As he went to pick back up the glass again he heard, "Hey Steve."

A gorgeous blonde woman walked up to the bar and sat right beside Matt. It was Molly, one of the gang's best friends from high school. she looked a beautiful as ever. She had the right amount of make-up on without overdoing it. She smelled amazing.

"Matt, is that you?" she asked.

He went to nod his head but before he could manage her arms where around his neck, tightly hugging him.This is lovely he thought. Her blue eyes looked deeply into another level of his soul he didn't know he had. He bright red lips gave ease to her gentle words. It had been a while since he had felt the warmth of a woman's touch, the glow of her presence. Matt reached out and put his hand on top of hers. Hoping, wishing, and wanting. She blushed and took his hand inside of hers. Molly could always tell when something was wrong.

She kissed his hand and softly asked, "Want to go to my place and talk about it?"

"That would be nice," he replied.

Matthew paid the tab and they left the bar. A he left the bar, it started to rain. Looking up in the sky, hands outstretched to God, he cried. Thank you he said. This is what I needed.