OUT OF MIND

By Roger Esty

"I remember him fighting a lot across the border and at the Coliseum,"I said to Burke.
First time I saw Burke behind the bar since he bought the joint. Said he wanted to know what it was like to tend bar again.
"Oh,he had a lot of matches in LA. and in Vegas too,"he came back with as he was wiping the couinter with a towel.

The fighter we were talking about was sitting at the back end of the bar. Burke said that he'd come in to say hello that's all.
"He took a beating by Hafey,"I said.
"Yes.He was downhill after that,"said Burke.
"I think I saw him the last time he was out at the Coliseum."
"They shouldn't have let him fight anymore."
We were both looking at him while discussing his career. Burke was still wiping the counter. It was dry,but he was still wiping the counter anyway.
"They never know when to stop,"said Burke. "I had over 80 fights.I'd had enough."
Any guy that's had over 80 fights has a face that validates that record. Burke was no exception. Why go into it. Every feature was dented and misshapen.80 fights worth.

The ex fighter at the end of the bar was watching the television. The baseball playoffs were on. There was a little beer left in the glass.
"I knew his manager ,"said Burke."As long as he could make money with him,he kept him in the ring."
Burke finally stopped wiping the bar.
"Want another refill?"
"No.One is good enough."
I looked at fighter at the end of the bar. He wasn't watching the TV anymore. I couldn't tell what he was looking at.
"Well ,I've got to get going,"I said. "Go ahead and set him up one on me."
As I put the money on the bar,the old guy at the end got off his stool and walked with his head down to the juke box. His arms were resting on the juke box as he looked at what was on there. He didn't put any money in.
"Good night Burke."
"Good night,"said Burke."I'll see you again."
As I walked out to my car,I still didn't hear any music coming from the juke box.