In the Heartland

By Gregg Howard

We only open the bar about five hours a day now; less income but less overhead. The locals are learning to show up when the sign’s on and keep their drinking to a schedule.

Grandpa’s teaching me about the subtle pleasures of multi-card Bingo. Dollar drafts on Wednesdays and I won a really nice blender.

Today we’re using it to experiment with frozen margaritas. I’m teaching the old man to play Halo.

After forty days, my runaway ex called collect last night from Reno, but I declined to accept the charges. Me and Grandpa Dub got a good thing going here.