PUCKER UP

ONE NIGHT MY FRIEND JOHN AND I

WERE SITTING AT A BAR WHERE HE USED

TO WORK, WHEN AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN,

A FORMER CO-WORKER, CAME IN

AND SAT NEXT TO HIM.

SHE TOLD HIM SHE HAD JUST HAD A FIGHT

WITH HER HUSBAND, A POLICE OFFICER,

AND NEEDED TO GET OUT OF

THE HOUSE FOR A WHILE.

THEY HAD BEEN TALKING FOR A FEW MINUTES

WHEN, AS A JOKE, I LEANED OVER TO JOHN.

"DON’T LOOK NOW," I WHISPERED,

"BUT A GUY ABOUT SIX-FIVE JUST

WALKED IN. AND HE’S GOT A GUN."

WITHOUT HESITATING, JOHN TURNED TO ME.

"QUICK, ED," HE SAID,

"KISS ME ON THE LIPS."