"Woman of your word"

So unless you live under a rock, you know the Chicago Bears fell to the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday. This is sad news. Trust me, for those of you still feeling the pain 48 hours later, I understand. Hell, it would be me, too--but probably not for the same reason as you. I should have been feeling the weight of another loss. Let me explain...

I had been fired up about this game all week. I mean, FIRED UP! I was telling everyone who would listen about the game and inviting everyone I knew to Belushi's, the sports bar we'd discovered that plays NFL games and other sports of the American persuasion. I was ready to wear my blue and orange, jump up and down, yell obscenities at the TV, and shove my fists into the face of any Cheesehead that challenged MY team's ability to win--wellllll, maybe not so much on that last one. Anyway, Belushi's attracted quite a crowd for the night's game, and an international crowd at that. As you all know, I'm quite the Chatty Kathy, and it was only a matter of time before I met a couple of fellows that pulled on the strings of my pride.

I met Fabian, a young guy from Argentina, outside while smoking a cigarette. He was really hairy (very important, obviously) and sort of an in-your-face kinda guy. His English was really hard for me to understand, but hey, I'll pretty much talk to anyone. He wished me luck, as I was decked out in Bears gear, and headed inside. A little while later, while on my way to the bathroom upstairs, I heard a slightly familiar voice shout out, and looked to see Fabian with some friends by the pool table. Since a Molly Shannon-Superstar-style "GO BEARS!!!!" had been my greeting of the night, I promptly said hello, but that was not well received. Eddie, a guy from Panama (why was he a Packers fan, anyway??) introduced himself and promptly told me that my beloved Bears were going to lose. 

Oh.No.He.Didn't. 

Helllllllll no! Who do you think you are?! Huh, huh?? To be fair, Eddie proposed a bet: If the Bears won, Eddie would buy me three drinks (because I so clearly needed more to drink). If the Packers won........I would give him my *new* Bears hat, right off my head. Oh, MAN. In that instant, I was flooded with thoughts: "If I say yes, then I might lose my hat. But if I say no, that means I don't think the Bears will win and I'm not a good fan. But if I do win, by some crazy chance, thenigetmoredrinks." Fabian chose at this point to egg me on in his undecipherable accent. "Be a woman of your word! Woman of your word! Dooooooo eeeeeeet! Woman of your word!" Aww, man, that put me over the edge. Deal. The bet was born. 

Thanks to Jay Cutler and AWFUL Todd Collins, I was sweatin' it. I mean, each trip to the bathroom, I'd act with braggadocio, hoping I'd convince Eddie and Fabian that they would be out a big, cold, tall one--no wait, three big, cold tall ones. But I was nervous. And unfortunately, even though Caleb Hanie provided hope for quelling my fears, it wasn't meant to be. I mournfully trod up the stairs, ready to hand over my month-old Bears hat, a sentimental souvenir from my first Bears game at Soldier field, bought at the end of the big win over the Jets the day after Christmas.

Eddie and Fabian's friends were ready for the ceremonious handing over the hat. Eddie's brother was even ready with camera in hand, waiting to record my defeat speech.

"Tonight, on this harrowed evening, my Bears were outmatched. The Packers were the better team, and I have been defeated. Tonight, I give this hat to you, as a sign of the respect, for I am a Woman of My Word..." 

Eddie stopped me--

"Keep the hat. Keep it, it's yours. Good game." And he took my hand, and shook it. 


"Really?!? REAALLY?" I grinned. I victoriously stuck my hat back on my head, kissed Jack, and high-fived everyone in sight.

And Fabian became outraged. "What!!!! WHAAAAAAAT!!" Although I had promised to give Fabian nothing, it was as if I had owed him something. I mean, he was mad. At that point he started asking me for other things off my back. Sorry, buddy. I'm still a woman of my word, though. IN YOUR FACE!

The Bears lost. But I kept my faith--so I kept my hat. Here's to next season!!!