Stadler."

They shook hands and both said "Hi" at the same time.

"You care if I crack one of these open right now?" Steve asked, letting go of Angie's hand and looking at me. From the corner of my eye I could see Angie's face tense up; she hated when people drank in the car. I ignored her. I was anxious to get Steve home so I could start in on the remaining eleven.

"Go ahead, man," I said, dropping The Boat into reverse. "And thanks for helping us out." Angie crossed her arms again.

"No problem," Steve replied. "I remember what a bitch it used to be to get brewskys on a Friday night."

"Wasn't the drinking age lower then?" I asked, hoping to make small talk.

"It was eighteen then, but there weren't as many places to buy. This town used to be even smaller if you can believe it." He lifted the beer he'd opened to his mouth and took a long swallow. "And Coach Payton was pretty strict about his players drinking, so we always had to be careful," he continued. "I hung out with Pete Martin, though, and you know how those quarterbacks are, always getting what they want, no matter what. He always came through with beer one way or another."

"Man," I asked, looking at him in the rearview mirror as I pulled out onto the street, "you guys were pretty good friends, huh? What was it like to win a championship? Musta been the shit!"

"Yeah, we were like brothers. Hell, we're still pretty tight. Both of us work over at the Ford plant. We were supposed to go to the game together tonight, but I guess he wasn't feeling too good." He stopped for a second. "Oh, I forgot: I live out on Kaiser Road, just outside of town. You know how to get there?"

"Uh huh. Old dirt road. Me and Angie have been out there a coupla times. Good place to..." Angie hit the side of my leg with her fist. "To, uh, drink." I finished.

"Yeah... right," Steve said. I couldn't see it, but I knew he was smiling. "Anyways, football was the best, man. I loved it. Best thing I ever did besides marrying my wife." I could hear him take another swig of his beer.

"How long have you been married?" Angie asked. It surprised me to hear her speak up.

"Long time... ever since after graduation. She used to go out with Pete, but he was a pretty popular guy then. Lotta girls after him, and I think she got sick of it. We started hanging out right after and have been together ever since. Hell, I was surprised; she was prom queen and head cheerleader and all, and I was just some dumb cornerback on the football team. I sure wasn't no flashy jock like Pete. Guess there's a lot to be said about how far a little loyalty will get you, eh?"

"Yes, there is," Angie replied. She was looking at me. About four months earlier she had found out that I'd made out with some girl at a keg party. I was pretty drunk and didn't really know what I was doing, but it still took me a couple weeks of serious butt kissing before I was able to get Angie back again.

Steve continued to speak: "We all stayed friends in the end, though," he said. "My wife's still a looker, and I think Pete regrets to this day that he let her go." He grew silent. Faintly, the radio was broadcasting a commercial about the upcoming KISS reunion tour. "Hey, can you turn that up?" Steve asked.

"... KISS live at the Sports Arena." The deejay was saying. "Tickets go on sale at the box office on Saturday, but keep tuned in here for your chance to win complimentary tickets and a limo ride to the show from KTFX, The Fox!" Immediately the first power chords of the song "Love Gun" followed.

"Kick ass tune," I said.

"Damn straight," Steve agreed from the back. "Me and Pete and his girlfriend -- my wife -- drove all the way to Detroit to see these guys back in '78. Best fucking show ever! I had to camp outside the ticket office just to get nosebleed seats, but it was worth it! It's cool to hear they're back in makeup and back together."

I was turning The Boat onto Kaiser. "How far down?" I asked.

"Third house on the right," he said. "There's probably gonna be a truck at the end of the drive, so just go ahead and park in front of the mailbox."

"Okay," I replied.

"What's your wife's name?" It was Angie again.

"Oh... uh, Mary. Used to be Mary Osterhaut. Actually, I think she used to hang out with your stepsister sometimes, Mark."