Friday, June 18, 2010

Tonight, I have to leave it

Less work than I expected was needed, though I'm sure it probably needs more.


"Tonight, I have to leave it"
Jones hurried out of the QFC supermarket, past the old man selling Real Change newspapers and across Pike street. With barely a glance over his shoulder he continued up the block to where a woman was standing next to a club, Neumos. He smiled at her and bent to pick up a backpack from the ground .
Adjusting the straps on his shoulders he winked.
“What’s wrong now, Jen?”
"You” she muttered.” We have a bag full of beer, yet you continue to tempt fate.”
Jones cocked an eye at her. “It’s a sport, my dear. The security guard in there  busted me at a Safeway in West Seattle, once. Old Friend.”
He wrapped Jen in an all encompassing bear hug and then kissed her on the nose. "The Park, then. Shall we?"

The Park (as it is usually referred to by those who thrive on the underbelly of Seattle’s Capitol hill neighborhood) is officially known as Cal Anderson Park. It is popular for the wading pools and fountains located in it’s center. Most summer days you’re likely to find any number of children splashing about and plenty of family picnic fun. It’s also popular for it’s softball field and tennis court.
Pretty much year round, weather permitting, you’ll see any number of sports being played, from bicycle polo to friendly pickup softball games.
It’s also popular w/ the bums, the punks, the drunks.. pretty much any type of person who isn’t comfortable living within society’s norm. They cluster around picnic tables or pass out in the grass. They shoot smack in the bathrooms, smoke crack in the shadows or simply sit on hills and guzzle beer.
Jones considered these types his people. He spent most evenings here w/ one hand gripping a can of beer, the other on Jen’s knee. He was famous for peddling bootleg  Vietnamese Marlboros, bought on the cheap from a woman in the International District. The punk kids being either too lazy or too young to cop their own smokes came to him in droves and Jones was more than happy to take their money.
 Recently, malt liquor had been banned on the hill . Jones didn’t like selling his supply but he wasn’t going to turn down three bucks for a 24 oz. can of beer, either.
Jen gripped her boyfriend’s hand as they entered the park The sun was setting, early, it seemed to her. They  found a table near the street, on the 11th avenue side and each lit cigarettes. Jones pulled a green Fosters can from his jacket, popped the tab, took a sip and placed it between his thighs. He glanced at Jen, smiled and began to watch the street.

It seemed most folks came to make his acquaintance from behind, Jones was thinking. He looked at the sky. The sun was gone and he was on his second beer. Jen nodded her head at him. “Company” she said.
A  lean 17 year boy came into sight. ‘David!” He  smiled. “Alone to the party?” He asked , handing him a pack of cigerettes.
David opened the pach, stuck one in his mouth, lit it, inhaled, exhaled and pulled it from his mouth.
“I sent the lady friend to panhandle on Broadway. She doesn’t know I have beer. What are you two up to?”
Jen remained smilingly silent. “Usual” Jones replied as he a lit smoke of his own. “Have a sit, the cops have been through already tonight. We’ll get drunk and yell at the moon.”

Jen took a small sip from her beer can and rolled her eyes. The boys were much further along than she was and were babbling typical drunken gibberish. She was waiting patiently for something to happen. Sometimes it did.
“The fact is” David yelped “god is bigger than any of can imagine. This is why it doesn’t make any sense..God is fucking mystery. The asshole can do anything it pleases.”
“ Well then.” Jones replied “considering we’ve already had this conversation at least five times is there anything else to talk about? “He looked back into the park. “Anything going on out there? Is that your lady?”
 David smirked. “That would be my beautiful Delores. Lit up like a goddamn Christmas tree, I’d wager. One day she’ll grow up and become the hooker with the heart of gold but for now she doesn’t know any better and is more than happy w/ scum like me. For now.. “ He suddenly looked serious. Jen, don’t you dare tell her I said that“.
Jen laughed and took a much larger sip.
Five minutes later David stood up as Dolores ran into his arms. Jones looked at them, shook his head and muttered: “David and Dolores, god help us.”
Jen glared at him, silently threatening him to behave himself. The lovebirds ignored them both.
After their kiss ended Dolores held up a plastic bottle like the prize it was. A grin spread across David’s face. “Where the fuck did you get vodka?”
“Feminine wiles, of course” she answered back and threw the bottle to Jen.

Some days can be measured i the numbers of drinks taken. This was one of those. About a quarter to the bottom of the half gallon Jen’s head was in Jones’ lap and she was staring at the sky. “Do you know if this is forever? Is this it? Are we even enjoying ourselves?
Jones winked. “Aye. Fuck. Now I know you’re  drunk. Why is it liquor always makes you think?” He laughed. “You know I don’t know. I want a life that isn’t desperate.. I haven’t figured out the way to that yet. Is it enough that I’m trying to work it out?
Jen coughed. “Haven’t much choice have I?”
 Jones stood up and kicked David twice in the upper thigh. He  began to stir. “Wakey wakey. Eggs and bakey, motherfucker. Come on. I’m bored.”
David begin to rise, dusting himself off as he did. “What’s the good word ?“, he asked?
Jones took a drag off his cigarettes and a hit from the bottle. We’re leaving. Y’all have a crash spot in mind?”
David reached for the bottle. “Not really. “ He made a half assed attempt at a smile”
“We have extra blankets“. Jen piped up. “If you  can walk and if you can get your dead broad to rejoin the living we can get you guys warm and secluded.
“Sound good.” He began shaking Delores.  “Goddamnit ,woman. You could sleep here but I wouldn’t recommend it. No telling what kind of  fucking crackheads are out tonight. And I can’t fucking carry you.”
He continued shaking here and she eventually found the world of semi-consciousness .
“What is it?”
“We’ve got to mosey, little trail hand.  Quickly now, before our benefactors change their minds.”
Jones laughed and shook his head. He lit a cigarette, reached for Jen’s hand and they began walking to Broadway.

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