theyd been hanging out for a
little better than a halfyear Spring to late
Fall
he was easier goingbeen more
successful meeting and dating girls than his buddy Michael
he teased Michael that maybe if
he came off his penchant for Michael went
as Mike or MickMicky itd better serve
him
Michael was Greek his old man was Michael If my father
wanted me going around as Mike or Mick hed have named me that Im Michael
Suit yourself Michael youll
excuse me though not only does Michael sounds
uptightbut you act as uptight an haughty as Michael . .
.
. I can’t do anything about that . .
.
. Canthuh Understand then that Michael MIchael is why girls pay more attention to meYah I am better lookin . .
.
. Hey . .
. . Heynothin I am
They
lean in to me an away from you because you come off stiff formal If
yawanna keep feedin me Michael keep it up Just loosen up man Some friendly
advise
he saw Michael walking up the
opposite side of the street towards him as he was finishing the last leg of his
paper route
it was Sunday
the Sunday Trib and Sun-Times
were huge weighty beasts he delivered the
papers up front steps to Welcome mats some
in the neighbourhood left their doors unlocked so he could set their papers inside
their entrances people dug his
service often across a month he collected
paper plates of homemade cookies small boxes of chocolates brown bags of fresh
fruit or garden vegetables in appreciation it was a nice racket he had to
get up from school so why not earn a few buckshave free newspapers for the house
also he wasnt beyond hawking a few on
Cumberland or Touhy to people who were in too big a hurry to stop at the
grocerystore or gas station so he took a
premium it was pure profit then he either scattered the short randomly across
his route or because he delivered earlier than the other kids knuckleheads schmucks he pilfered their stacks
and offset what would have been his shortages
it was slick
he waved his armhailed
Michael Hey man wharya goin
I’m on my way to church.
Church
I am.
Yaint religious Why would you dodat
I’ve given it some thought. I
think I got a better chance at picking up a girl at church than while I’m
hanging around with you, trying to compete with you.
Are ya kiddin me
No. You take a good look at me?
I’m dressed for church.
You think I’m kidding?
Whaya talkin bout Yadont believe Not in God Christ Jesus the Church
I don’t, but I got enough
background, know enough, to play my part; play my part as well as I’m sure
there’s girls there who are playing a part, dutiful to their parents. I’ll be
their liberation . .
.
. Wha their knight in shining armour
Yeah. Why not?
I donknow Sounds queer
Not queer. Smart. I do believe in
sex. And who better to relate to a girl who’s sexually frustrated than he? I’m
sexually frustrated. We’ll be talking the same language.
Man Youve put some thought into this
Goddamn right.
I’m inhibited on your playing field.
I figure I better carve my own.
Christ Thats genius
Don’t think so, but thanks.
Simple. Necessity is the mother
of creation.
I need to get laid.
2319, Sunday,
2 12. 18
1737, Monday,
10 12. 18
