There is a couple we call Bud and Barb. They sit in one of the booths most of the time. Barb always sits on the inside of the booth next to him holding tightly on to his arm. She seldom speaks to Bud and most of the time stares straight ahead and she is most always angry about something. Her face would darken, she would breathe hard, and her jaw would clench. At times she would just suppress an outburst, stopping a bitter sound before it became a full word. He seemed always to be talking to her. He talked to few others, and did not look away.

Bud is a friendly man when he can be. He always smiles at others he sees. If someone stops by to say a word he is eager to have a conversation, which would quickly end because of looks and pulling from Barb. On rare occasions when she seemed more relaxed they would get up out of their booth and walk around. He would have conversations with quick glances down at her. She would hold still for a longer or shorter time before she would pull him away. And there were rare times when Barb would let go of him and say a few words herself to someone nearby.

And yes there were times they would stay separated both having their own conversation. On these rare relaxed evenings the two might be at the row of booths or over standing behind the regulars seated at the bar. Others would always be glad to talk to them, and always with hope that the end would be different. It never was. All of a sudden there would be an angry scream from Barb that never failed to unnerve all around her, especially the person she was talking to. Bud would quickly move over to her and try to calm her down and apologize to all at the same time.

Then he would coax her back towards their booth, talking calmly to her the whole time. She would take a few steps, then stop and look back angrily towards the direction of the outburst. The people who experienced Barb’s anger would be looking away with embarrassment. Several would try to reassure and explain to the one she has screamed at. Most times it took a painfully long time for Bud to get them to their booth. He would look back towards the others and shake his head sadly. When they had a chance people leaving for the evening would pass by Bud and pat him on the shoulder.