competed Golden Gloves

hang a guy on the ropes

beat him senselessbeat him until he falls or the referee pulls ya off 

Lemme say this bout tha

invertebrate Republicans

insects molluscs worms

he sposed if 95% of animal species worldwide lack backbones

why shoud Republicans or their presidential candidates be any different

1831,  Sunday,  11  6. 23

Say, I hear you right, man?

he turned his head to the man standing over his shoulder he and his date were seated at the bar 

                                                                                                       Yamind  I wasnt talkin to you

If I heard you right, that’s kind of astonishing.

he turned on the woodseat stool following his crooked head  wondered whether or not to dismount an make something of it  Nah was having a drink with Legs a getting-to-know-you she did not strike him as someone who tolerated violence 

How can I help so you can leave

Legs reached over took him by the armthe crook of his elbow  Nah she wore a pretty blouse  woud prefer it not spattered with blood

That’s a ridiculous, an outlandish statement.

Outlandish  Thas a big word to comout your mouth 

Careful, friend. Careful.  

                            Who does that but kids?

Takes a Sunday night bath 

                              Yare lookin at him

Why?

I believe Im  Im regressingLegs Correct  Regressing  she graduated from Berkeley double major  International Affairs Philosophy  designed cobbled together fashioned her own program 

                                                                 nodding towards her not taking his eyes off mouth 

Shes the authority round here Don dare question her

Yes. Regressing. You’re correct.

Thank you

So why the bath? You can shower.

Why shower when I can bathe

I can’t remember the last time I took at bath.

Careful he sniffsniffed the air  May be settin yourself up

You’re a riot, friend. 

An yare uninvited

                   turned again on the stool though this time towards Legs Excuse me  Yare dismissed

Say. mouth grabbed him at the shoulder

he didnt bother shrugging off his hand  behind the bar  Red was a buddy 

                                                                                Hey, friend, hands off. 

He was rude. he let go

over his shoulder You interrupted

You gonna let the house talk for you?

It is his house 

                he turned his attention to Legs You like baths

I do. Scented bubbles. Hot. Foamy.  Candles.

Rightup my alley  Maybe someday well share one

she laughed didnt cover her mouth dimples accentuated her beautiful expression

You answering me?

he turned on the stool again 

                               You still here

I asked you a question. 

                          behind him two bouncers approached

he didnt answer

in the next moment mouth was bookended by the burly pair 

                                                                Let’s go buddy. one said

Off me. he shrugged despite neither touched him 

                                                     then stepping backwards I’ll be seeing you around.

he nodded then turned again on the stool 

                                             This can make a guy dizzy 

Legs had leaned in close to him she smelled warm  good 

                                                              Did you take a bath this evening

I did.

You smell fantastic

Thank you. 

               However . . can we return to your remark?

Of course

I wouldn’t say you were regressing . terribly.

No

No.

Whawoud regressing terribly mean

You may have responded to the circumstances like an ape, a caveman. I felt the blood the warmth tick up in your arm.

   Really 

            Thas quite tactile

Yes. Thank you.  I am sensitive.

Might suppose opposites attract

1325,  Sunday,  11  6. 23

ohJOY I was matched on Tinder   I found out through email

Are you on Tinder?

No I have no idea wha matched on Tinder means

Come on, really?

Don look at me like tha ya know better 

she cleared her throat 

                      It means that you and someone else on Tinder both swiped right, the app . .

. . Stop stop  Stop right there 

                               Swiped right

Swiped rightcome on . . you don’t know swiping?

   I know since I raised girls they had to wipe front to back front to back for the obvious reason

Jesus. she shook her head  A great example of wipi . .

. . Thought yad think so Im keepin ya present

Quit interrupting me. Please. 

                              gathered herself  You’re the one who doesn’t know, you’re usually one who likes knowing. 

It’s a brave new world.

Brave aint the word 

                      I apologise   Please

SWIPING paused to see if he had something else to say confirms that you and whoever approve of each other.  A match.  

paused againwas sure he had something inane to say As a match you can contact each other using the app’s messaging platform.

The apps messaging platform

Yes. Tinder.

Ya subscribe to it or wha a freebie 

It’s a subscription.

Anif I didnt subscribe I couldnt right swipe 

                                             What the hell   Fishing phishing  Then for unknownknown numerated scaled reasons someone socially inept takes a bite at the apple or is snaggedcaught their mouths hangin wideopen  agog

   I don’t know. 

                      she winked at him Though you’d have to admit you’d be one real heck of a catch.

1003,  Sunday,  11  6. 23

Jo Stafford  Fools Rush In  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alu8WT1a2HE

Yalook miffed 

I am.

Lemme guess  NahI don have to guess    I havent texted or called 

   Yes.

Im busy

This is important.

It was terribly important almost four whole months ago  I didnt put it on simmerdidnt need time  its languished  Now theyre ready 

               Im not falling over myself to connect 

Im busy

You don’t think that’s wrong? 

Im happy to be wrong 

Come on.

Come on nothing  They said they needed time 

                                                    In the meantime I wove a web feasted I knitted a cocoon for my drollself glazed an immaculate chrysalis When my pupa exudes dustywhite or a rainbowed drag queen then Ill be ready to talk

I havent done this before so when Im moved Ill move but not until then Figure Ive got a minimum whole four months  Checked the hourglass love love love its figure Im not two whole weeks in You hit the floor running Thawas your choice

   Come now Im not hurting your feelings

No. No you're not. 

                   So much more than my feelings have been hurt. I’m cut to the core.

An they know tha 

                    This timing wasnt unintentional its wasnt  Now its when Im ready   I am sorry baby

Thank you. 

             You keep me sane.

You are sane Im your backstop 

                                        he sighed Please don be upset with menot tha I have to remind you This wasnt our fault wasnt our decision  It was made without talking to us

   Yes.

An their language was reprehensible infuriating

Yes. 

   Balls in my court now When Im good an ready 

                                                      Please try not to concern yourself  You tried to tender your piece an for your thoughtful considered efforts you were beatup furthur

Four whole months later 

                            Still desperate to whip yafinger ya as the culprit I know you disagree but thas keepin with holding onto their narrative Theyre blameless  You were wrong I was wrong 

                                                                                     We werent

We fulfilled wha she wanted to a T

1451,  Reggaefriday,  9  6. 23

1811,  Satyrday – he thinks he likes tha, may stick  10  6. 23