Chain link

bottoms up
he slurred
the tenth mug of beer
coming down empty

and I stared
at his beard
where foams popped
and trickled down

one more for the road
he giggled
beckoning the bartender
who looked away in disgust

the bartender looked at me
a little sneery
more beer, lady?
I smelled peppermint
in his breath

something kicked me
deep in my gut
what am I doing here
Gracie, Gracie
and I walked into the Twilight

I heard the crash
as he fell off the barstool
laughter erupted from me
bitter as bile.