There are Pale Ales on the table. The lighting is dim. A chilly draft brings in much-needed fresh air. The other patrons provide gentle murmurs for ambiance.

"What really gets me," Ken says as he grips his beer tightly, "is that she can say one thing, and then do something else."

I close my eyes and nod. "Or she can tell you she isn't the kind of girl who'd do something, but then in an argument, tell you that she really wants to do it."

Lisa clears her throat. "Or who you thought was a friend can betray you and take your man."

"Well," he grins and shifts in his seat, "I don't think I'd have to worry about anyone taking my man…"

"Shut up," she smiles and throws a rolled up napkin at him.

"Heh. Sorry, couldn't resist." He looks back down at the table. "What I'm saying is I hate mixed signals. All weekend, we were cool. She seemed interested, she was flirting, everything. Then come Monday, BAM, she's someone else."

We nod and watch our friend silently. His eyes become glassy.

"I mean, is that too much to ask for? A little consistency?" He takes a messy gulp of his beer, dribbling it down his shirt. "It just gets me how cold she can be. How she can change into someone else so quickly. What happened to this weekend? What was that all about then? Was that not the real her?" He pauses, then adds in a whisper: "And if not, who IS the real her?"

Several beats pass in silence. We all take swigs of beer and study the swirls on the wooden table.

"How about you?" he asks me.

"I just want a girl who…" I pause and regard my beer. "I just want a girl who isn't just rebounding."

"Ah, oh yea. You really liked her, huh?"

I scratch my chin. "You know, not that much. I could tell there were going to be issues between us. But what really upset me was being cheated on."

Lisa pats my hand. Kevin nods. Another silence overtakes the table. We all savor our beer and fiddle with the mugs.

"How about you?" I ask Lisa.

"I want a guy who won't fall easily for my friends. I hate losing my boyfriends to my friends." She narrows her brow. "I'm worse than both you guys, because in my case, I not only lose a boyfriend, but I lose a friend too! I lose two people!"

"Damn. I think you win," Ken mutters.

"Win what?"

"The Misery Contest. You've got us beat."

She chuckles. "Yea, and for my Thank You speech, I would like to thank you both."

"Thank us?" I arch my brow.

"Yea. Without hearing your stories, I wouldn't have told mine."

"Ah," I nod. "Well, yea, that's because misery loves company."

Ken and Lisa smile. Then we all stare silently at our beers again.

. . .

What are you miserable about?