that was Choice

                  when you havent heard something Choice in a while it stands out like a bloodcurdling SCREAM fireworks against a pitchblack night

he had just walked up

                        there was a clutch of seniors seated sipping coloured iced drinks beneath an enormous blue and white umbrella on the patio near a huge kidneyshaped pool

he arrived latehad said he would walking down from the house he intended to briefly introduce himself then hit the pool it was hot 

                  Choice interrupted him

                                            overhearing itquickly he excused himselfbeat it to the pool where underwater he burst out laughing  he didnt want to injury anyones feelings not knowing them from Adam didnt want to get off on the wrong foot

they had years on him

the cool water was luxurious

                                    having set his beer bottle on the pools edge in the shade his high rushing higher his humour utterly distractingentertaining him he missed that the group en masse had retreated to the airconditioned house

when he cheeped at himselfgot out of his head he saw they were gone

he relaxed in the water and finished his beer

Damn no one was around to fly fetch him another beer 

                                                           Nada he wasnt tipping

he got out of the pool

toweling himself offwalking up to the house he could smell the teriyaki bambooskewered shish kabobs he brought being barbecued

            good timing

yanking a tshirt on he entered the house where he found the ensemble in the den around a spacious gaming table they were playing River poker 

                           We have room if you’d like to play. someone said

No thank you I don gamble at cards Think Ill take advantage of the pool table though

                                                                                           By the way Im Joe

they must not have heard him

                                Ofcourse not

he didnt wait to be acknowledged

                                    the nine-foot Brunswick fringed leather pockets eyeballed himbeckoned fringed like long eyelashes  coy

he rolled the cueball down the table 

                                      it crawled unerringly

almost made him hard with anticipation

he racked the balls smashed them

                                     disappeared into the game 

someone touched his shoulderhe didnt hear them approach

                                                               Excuse me, it's time to eat.

Ohyes thank you I shoot pool I go off elsewhere

she was a gentle woman soft  smelled good reminded him of his mother 

                                                                              Might I prepare you a plate? 

thoughtful like his Maw 

                          No thank you Ill come up and help myself  Thank you for making me aware

You’re quite alright, Joe; I’m Helen.

he shook her hand A pleasure to make your acquaintance Helen

                                                                      she had nothing to do with Choice  

his butcher chose an excellent top sirloin 

his host grilled the shish kabobs beautifully served them with cold watermelon slices peppered potato salad

they all sat together in the diningroom a casual greencheckered gingham tablecloth over the table two round vintage pebbledglass Anchor Hocking pitchers filled with iced tea were at either end of the table

it was a fine luncheon

when they finished everyone helped clear the table  they seamlessly worked to put up foodstuff in cupboards in the refrigerator rinsed washed dried plates and utensils  then the group returned to their poker game

his host came down to shoot pool with him 

Quite an eclectic gathering Jim

Yes, they’re characters; the majority of them are Carrie’s friends or associates.

                                                                                   his wife Carrie had died four years prior

the pool table was her idea

he spanked her regularly on it

Jim was his friend 

                     Jimbo gotta share this with ya  It was Choice

It’s a choice group.

Definitely Aaron and Claire in particular

Those two are kooks.

Ohmy they were talking to Michael when I walked up on them beside the pool They were all over him lambasting him telling him theyd been noticing he was having trouble hearing conversations  he better get his hearing checked

Jimbo rolled his eyes

                       Aaron and Claire?

Choice huh

he laughed uproariously then covered his mouth Aaron and Claire, really?

Ohyeah

They’re almost deaf; even encumbered with hearing aids they often miss parcels . . maybe choose not to hear, or mute their aids.

Crazy

Oh man, that is choice.

Choice 

1614,  Saturday,  17  7. 21

1254,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  28  7. 21