he brokeup a fightyanked a fella free from the grasp of two others was able to back them off with a pool cue a cry to the bartender to call the police

                             Already have! 

Thanks man

they hightailed it

he turned to the fella checked his face

                                          Not bad black eye cominon only slightly worse for wear

Whawas tha about

If you can believe it, politics.

Take it youre blue Red comes in multiples fair fights oneonones not their way

I thought it was until the other hit me from behind.

I saw tha

I appreciate you steppin’ in, not many would. Thank you.

Youre welcome

You’re familiar to me. You’re the guy who walks around town reading?

I am

I see you a lot. Hell of a trick, I’d break my neck.

I hear tha often

                  Nothing but practise lotsa practise

apparently the ones who fled were familiar with him too

they began showingup around shadowing him at a distance catcalling

a third joined them they maintained their distance

he kept walkin readin

                        in the canvas bag hanging from his shoulder  in addition to a second book if he wanted to change channels midwalk he had his fathers blackjack from when he was as a young man walking around Miami collecting insurance premiums

his years of practise had developed his peripheral vision developed his hearing  they were acute

if they chose to approach him hed feel them coming

the third was the biggest of the three

 

one afternoon coming out of the grocers he was leaning back a boot up against a pylon that helped support an awning over lanes of shopping carts  a walkway

                                            You.  You got a second?

A second

You ought to mind your own business.

Good advise yaoughta take it

didnt see that coming

                     You smart or something?

Nah

   Somethin yaneed burned your second

he pushed off the pylon stood

                                  Lemme tell ya how it goes.

Somebody might break into your house.

Somebody better have company

Somebody will.

                    Maybe they come at the night.

For a nightcap

                 Tellem to bring their own bottle

They come it won’t be for a drink.

Ah an asocial call by assholes they do

                                           Im a lousy host    his free fist balledup     

They come, they’ll clean your clock.

   I guess well see

walking away he began reading

2209,  Monday – Martin Luther King Jr Day,  20  1. 25

1117,  Tuesday,  21  1. 25