when he left the library he took the more remote concrete staircase down to the road rather than the ramped sidewalk that paralleled the drive up

he could count the times on one hand over twothree times every week over years that he encountered anyone usually just their refuse cant seem to take their trash with themtake it down to the bottom of the steps where the city maintained a trash can  across the street from it was the bus stop

                                                        HOW FUCKIN LAZY

                                                                              taking a right to the stairway off the sidewalk that ranround the library he saw a large man standing with his back to him  he was unkempt caught his wild mane under a darkblue baseball cap a shaggy beard curling off the side of his face wore dusky mustard overalls could make out the frayed collar of a plaid flannel its colour not matching the overalls

walking upon him in a loud voice he said COMIN UP ON YOUR LEFT

unkempt tilted his head backheard him stepped left into his way

ON YOUR LEFT

unkempt didnt turn he stepped right laughedhumoured like a bear with his nose in a honey tree hollow Sometimes I forget my left from my right.

                             Excuse me.

No problem Im lefthanded write a lot so immediately know my left from my right

I don’t write, mebbe why I can't remember.

Understand

                  passing him Have a fine day

unkempt kept turning rightkept his back to him You too.

no way he blushed not knowing his left from his right

                                                        he avoided his eye avoided being recognition

probably a good thing

                      ifhe looked anything like he smelled he didnt want to see

approximately 1400,  Twosday,  25  1. 22

Jethro Tull  Aqualung  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0jMPI_pUec 

he made a mess all the way into the urgent care clinic

                                                       rather too he had made a mess over the two blocks he walked to get there

at the window he told the girl he was bleeding unable to staunch it as he walked  he bled all over her lobby 

                                                                                                                  he turned from her and went into the toilet grabbed a gout of paper towels sat on the pot elevated his legheel on top the toilet paper dispenser and applied pressure

thats where he waited

                        had it happened while he was nearer home he would have gone there and managed 

when they entered to apprise him it was his turn he shagged them out

                                                                          FerChristssake get me a wheelchair wha the hell ya thinking exactly why he was against urgent care facilities moneygougers

finally they got him into an examination room

the doctor was waitingGOOD  they deserve to wait too turn the tables on them

he let loose of his gripsat back in the wheel chair let the bluelatex gloved man work

he had had a good grip on the wound

                                        when the wrap of brown paper towels were removed his pant leg cut up to above his knee Cut by the seam Doc I intended to sewem up it appeared he arrested the bleeding to an ooze

You walked here? gotta love a bedside manner Can you tell me what happened?

I can Look for glass in it

the doctor startledalmost pushed back on his roller chair Glass?

Glass

       I was walking in the street no sidewalks on that stretch of road walkingkicking up dried leaves downed by the storm a week back saw something tumbling off the shoulder I thought cellophane a discarded wrapper until it veered towards me

             I was attacked by a glass spider when it went through a ray of sun it was dazzlingthrew off rainbowed light  dispersion  yaknow It struck I smashed it used my book like a paddle It shattered

                                                                                               Theres glass in the wound

I . . I . I don’t know what to say, that’s a fantastic stor . .

. . Doc a fantastic fact

                        Treat the leg please

he had to probe anaesthetised the area behind his anklesup his calf used a L E D magnifying examination lamp

when he concluded You must have swatted the . ah . er . . spider . just right, most of the punctures were clean. It must have been larg . .

. . It was a huge

                 When I get out of here Im doubling back to see what I can find I sidestepped out into the street to avoid it I hope traffic didnt crush it to bits  Ill see

You’ll excuse me, I’d like to see too.

You saw what you removed Yare welcome to a portion but Id want the remainder Ill sign for it if I request you must comply  I know how this works

                                   Anif I find something worthwhile Ill be happy to return anlet you see  Fingers crossed

Thanks for your help today

his leg felt queer when he stood  he chuckled

What? asked the doctor

Very Kafka Metamorphosis Or Stoker Dracula  I might not be myself tomorrow morning

                                                                                                Sure you want me to return

Jesus, Joe.

He did  Jesus

approximately 1400,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  19  1. 22

1232,  Twosday,  25  1. 22