Jordan demands an explanation

"Peter!" Jordan shouted over the television and the jukebox. He was digging into his Camarones Y Filete Empanizados, managing to eat fried food during dry weather and not puke. Not to mention yelling so loud that the only other two patrons heard him over the noise and gave us a glance.

I kicked him under the table and ordered another beer.

"What?"

I busied myself with my own shrimp, and sucked that beer like happy water.

'Why does the music in the basement upset you? Who is this Tomas Hart, or Hradcky, or whatever his name is, and why does he make you so emotional? We have enough going on, and this music makes you cry? What about Anna? And Sam? If you were going to cry, I would think..."

"Shut up!" I yelled, causing the customers to look again. "It IS about Anna and Sam, it is about the horror of..."

I could not finish. I was tired and did not want to think about work, or loss, or beauty unrecognized. I just wanted to eat my dinner and quiet my mind.

But Jordan was my partner, and my best friend, and he deserved more.

I delved into the past again.