The sergeant majors a real prick Why did you invite him for breakfastyare gone
this afternoon yare also the extent of
military I can handle
He’s familiar with you, through our
letters, who writes anymore. If
it’s any consolation . . he thinks you’re a prick too.
Great
Sergeant major went by sergeant
major
Really I cant
do that
That’s my rank. I’m proud of it, I worked hard to attain it.
I aint military Ill callya Butch after your haircut
So Butch this is a good breakfast place if you come through
town again The waitress is Shay Don
give her a hard time thas my job Shes
probably better at her work than you are at yours
Ryan rolled his eyeswhispered
Can’t you make
nice?
To
a guy who prefers his rank to his name NO
Told you yawere the extent I can tolerate military
You’re pretty
judgmental. You probably have no idea what I do.
I looked it upmemorised it Assist the commander in discipline and
welfare of enlisted men Their authority
and responsibility at parades and ceremonies extends over commissioned officers
while on the parade square
That
must give you a fatty Butch
Who do you think you’re talking to?
You Butch
You Take a look at your menu
Guys, guys, guys . . Ryan implored
Epizeuxis Repetition for purpose of vehemence
Shay sashayed up
she was a pip a freckled deeplydimpled redhead not usually his fare but he couldnt resist
making new constellationsnaming them of her freckles
Hiya, Joe, who are your friends?
Ryan right Butch left
she nodded to each Ryan, Butch, welcome to Five Points, don’t
ask Joe about the menu, he only eats blueberry pancakes and raw baco . .
.
. Its not raw . .
.
. It oinks in protest
Would everyone like coffee?
at last one thing they could
agree upon
Cream? Not Joe.
they asked for cream
Shay said Butch
You two an item?
Yes sergeant major
he decided hed try to make nice be less a prick out of respect for Shay
She’s mighty cute.
Shes beautiful inside an out unlike me something to say for opposites attracting
they were cordial throughout
breakfast stayed wide askance of any
provocations they talked sports
football rugby hockey
Butch didnt expect
he knew rugby Thought that might be too
violent for you.
Im not adverse to violence as long as it doesnt kill combatants Dig
Sometimes . .
Ryan interrupted Gentlemen, gentlemen, epizeuxis . . let’s leave
well enough alone, shall we?
Shall said Joe Who uses shall an laughed a
pentup bellylaugh a stand in for what
could have been otherwise
Ryans laughter followed
Butch not so much
Gents my treat I know
you get to get going I can walk from here
he
embraced Ryan Im happy ya stopped
overnight made the time
Thank you for your hospitality.
Youre welcome
Butch he extended his hand I wont say it was a pleasure
The displeasure was entirely min
. .
.
. It was
they shook hands without it
becoming something else
Thank you for putting us up.
Yare welcome
they left
Shay approached They werent friends of yours
Butch isnt Known Ryan since we were kids His old man was militarytheyre a military
family
I can’t imagine.
Yah Me neither
So good to see you again, this was a nice surprise. Sorry I’ve
been so busy, I’m hustling, want to putup some money for our camping trip down
the coast.
Camping don cost an arm an a leg
No. But maybe I want to surprise you.
I like surprises
You do.
An theres no tellin bout your
surprises
Nope. the word came out of her mouth O PA
he liked how it left her mouth open inviting
A beer tonight
Ohmy, that would be nice. Off at five, charging guards for dinner.
Ill pick you up
sevenseventhirty I want you to relax
Im relaxed around you.
Time for yourself We all need that kind of time
You’re swee . .
. . I am not
I like you very much
I like you like me . . I like you
very much too.
Seventhirty
It’s a date.
Shay turned him inside out
he didnt think he had to say
he thought it was evident
if she asked hed say
for the time being it seemed to
go without saying
suntime, Saturday,
April9 2022
1349, Twosday,
24 5. 22
