a uniformed woman wandered absently into the lobby from outback and asked loudly if the cashiercounter gal knew where they kept the SPERMICIDES 

                                       thall get ones attentiongrope and manhandle it if they were unfocused for some reason his appointment was delayed they apologisedbegged his understanding  he had time crazy he forgot to bring a book he wasnt keen on the tabled magazines and tipping towards boredtrying hard to be patient without something to distract him 

             he almost wished he knew how to meditate  almost 

the counter gal embarrassed spunshushing her glared  even took a couple steps towards her asif she was going to muffle her mouth with her hands 

                                        there was a story there

                                                                  but the absent woman already had pivoted oneeighty neatly and was heading back to the rear of the business where cubicles were for clients to be treated

                                                                                                   if anyone could call some of their particular torture a treat

in fairness Betty name was stitched on the breast of her palegreen almostmedical tunic gave him something to entertain

    spermicide

                      whawas the descending order of –cides

likely followed how one felt about sperm  or their sperm

purposeful sperm or gobs randyexpressed 

                                           Christ the way he thought he was there for a facial there was another kind of facial on occasion he participatedplayed willingly applied willfully

spermicide

     howbout deicide for those who thought a lot of themselves  

definitely patricide quickly following

                                      matricide dabbling ably next

fratricide sororicide keeping it in the family

parricide not to forget or diminish extended family

infanticide

homicide

homocide   

genocide

     hmm couldnt decide if he hit all the –cides

                                                   so he continued musing as he waited his turn with his esthetician she preferred aesthetician defensively she said What I do is a talent.   It wasnt my intention to belittle you believe me, I was only citing my understanding a difference is recognised between them. I’m sorry.

it wasnt a unwarranted apology

                                   he didnt want her spitting in his soup sotospeak

suntime,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  25  5. 22

1404,  ReggaeFriday,  27  5. 22

egg cream echt cream ekht cream

                                   deybe English German Yiddish  real authentic true cream 

an egg cream tastes like a thinned milkshake thin because its made with soda theres neither egg or cream in an egg cream

        theres an equation in there somewhere

calling something that it isnt

    Huey however  briefly a New York summer boy friend helped provide an equivalent equation

                                                                                                        the only other Huey he knew was Baby Huey a cartoon character a gigantic naïve duckling

when he told Huey he was flattered he was unassuming not that he knew what unassuming meant

Yaever see the cartoon

No.

I saw it once shook his head I didnt like it

                                            Can I ask is your name a nickname

Ohno. a bemused smile drifted onto his face I think my parents shot high, tried to avoid the obviouswhat must have been obvious when I was born, it is German we are German, Huey means bright in mind and spirit . . you get the joke . right?

I do

You did not hesitate.

No

I like you did not hesitate.

Theres no reason to hestitate When ya tell me about yourself who am I to argue

   Makes . sense. I think because . . people try to be nice . try not hurt my feelings . . be thoughtful, you know?

he nodded

              But yare not fishing

No . . I am not.

Right don strike me that yawoud

Huey smiled real big pleased 

                             Say, we are not far from Betsy’s luncheonette, she is my friend, I think she is working today, my parents gave me some money, she makes really good egg creams, could I buy you one?

Sure that would be cool Ive never had one

2250,  Twosday,  24  5. 22

1147,  ReggaeFriday,  27  5. 22