hadnt been a good day to be alone

which was to say to be with anyone

                                          be around  anyone      okay

Okay then he said to himself  This is why bars were made

he took a shower

used Q-Tips

brushed his hair

brushed his teeth

dressed

took a walk

place was only a mileanahaf off

ordered a doubleIPA on tap threefingers of Redbreast

                                                          Start a tab bartender askedthen hedged seeing him produce cash

there was a tall café table two chairs under a weathered 48-star America flag should have been burned

took the seat facing the door

had brought Whitmans Leaves of Grass paper folded inside it a pen
                                                                          also James Varieties of Religious Experience

Sto-Lat baby

sipped the whiskey

                     sighed  began reading Rise O Days From Your Fathomless Deeps

lookingup not that he knew

                                but it seemed a particularly busy night

bartenders expression informed him

employee

           if an owner  theyd be grinning

returned to reading and scribbling page numbers stanzas where on the page threefour word tipoffs

went to sip againEMPTY

                         had to remedy that  readied cash  fourth in line to transact

returning to his look at him being possessive table

                                                    saw a young woman had slipped into the empty seat at least she was that smart was leafing through James smarter

Evenin

Hello. Have you read this book?it’s awesome. she was sipping liquor too

                                                                                     she reminded him how cats slipunexpectedly into someones lap

attractive

she could pull it off

                    I have

I saw Whitman was open crazy handwriting man . halfexpected you to be Asian.

No you didnt

    No I didn’t.

I glancedsaw you entered a while back  Alone

Saw you sitting . alone.

                            Who comes to a bar alone?

We do

Could I buy you a drink for interrupting your aloneness?

aloneness  she got it   awfully smart

                                      I woudnt say no

a quick bright smile dimples Great.

                                      Redbreast. Sippin’ the same. I overheard.

My wha big ears you have Grandma

she slapped the table openpalmed

                                      Big eyes too. her smile got goin to grin  dimples deepening

let her other obvious bigness go

for someone alone to acquiesceconcede their aloneness

                                                             he wasnt familiar

this would be different

I’m baack. she said sweepingin like an enthused raptor ifpossible grin bigger yet

                                                                                     I thought I wanted to be alone this evening. Thank you for indulging me.

Indulging Not frequently heard

Not one I usually use.

                             I’d really have to think . I . . I can’t remember . . . anytime . I was going to say recentlybut . . I think I’ve only read it.

no lie in her wide eyes

he heldup the glass she bought

                                  To indulgence

Indulging indulgence.

Here here

they tapped rims  sipped

    slick conversation ensued suddenturns switchbacksREVERSE streaks brakes heavilydlaced with outrageous humour

          frank

invariably sex roiledup

                         after another whiskey and beer    she had walked too

Who walks

We do.

What’s your take on anal?

whiskey on its way to his mouth pulled up short

                                                Good thing you hadnt asked when I had whiskey in my mouth

Would you have lost it?

Id choke before Id lose it

Hmm. Choke.   Lose it.

    Im getting a virginy vibe

looking him dead in the eyes

                                 My anus is virgin.

Not a finger

You?

Ohyah

        Mighty enjoyable coupled with a blowjob

I wouldn’t know.

No

     Though I can vouch its good when giving head to a gal

    Really?

Yah  Sppose youll have to take my word for it

People take you at your word?

If they don they ought to

You’re truthful?

Truthfull with two Ls

Two Ls?

Brutally honest

    Brutally?

Fraid so

           Donwanna know  Donask

    But I have.

Anal

Yes.

Lemme say thisbout tha  Anals easy

                                             If it were you an me

Id pretend you were asleep an try not to wake you

That gentle?

Tha gentle

That patient?

Long on patience

    Hmmm.

2213,  Wednesday,  1  1. 25

1315,  Thursday,  2  1. 25