he rubbed away tear residue at the edge of his eye with the ball of his finger

when he wept at night fine stardust fell near his eyes

comforting himself

                    he called them stardust tears

No he said Yare wrong  Im fueling

Fueling? You want to lie to yourself, call it something it isn’t, deny what it is?

he stood his groundhe gave his answer  

                                          he appreciated his brotherinlaws concern

You’re boozing. Call it what you want, but you’re boozing; and I’m worried.

Yashouldnt worry bout things yacant control I thought yawas smarter than that  Dig

he could see that his words stirred his facemixed emotions 

                                                              disturbing photos  superimposed overlayed

it was difficult to watch

so he closed his eyes and repeated calmly Im fueling 

                                                         It guides me inhuddles with me it helps  anit tastes good

Im no threat to anyone 

                           No one

his brotherinlaw seized up 

                           he could see it in his mouth trying to work its way out 

his jaw trembled

he struggled 

             he knew his brotherinlaw was trying to find fault in his logic while recognising the fueltheir teaming  had created marvelous insights introspection perceptions  and odd curious beauty

his brotherinlaw was weighing if he wanted to attempt an intervention hed need more people

his brotherinlaw probably thinking He’ll punch me in the mouth if I don’t back offI’ve said my piece . . . I best cut my losses.

he decided hed help him 

                           Keep at it man an Ill knock you out Yaknow I throw the first punch

his brotherinlaw knew 

                       he remembered two times distinctly probably a couple more if he really dug in while he was thinking on it   he did

Yabest not tempt fate

I have patience though when I am impugned its sorely taxed

 

I hear you.

Good 

       We in a good place  

Understand I do appreciate your concern

 

Im fueling an frankly Im wasting fuel on this

Im tempted to call it a confrontation but then yaint laying on your backyour mouth bleeding or worse

 

We done

Yeah. We’re done.

Good Think nothing of it 

                             I wont

 

his brotherinlaw knew he was dismissed 

                                             Get together for a putsch Thursday?

Yaknow me my dance card is always open Yalemme know what time works best for you  Later bro

Yes. Later.

2303,  Sunday,  11  10. 20