that was Choice
when you havent heard something Choice in a
while it stands out like a bloodcurdling SCREAM fireworks against a pitchblack
night
he
had just walked up
there was
a clutch of seniors seated sipping coloured iced drinks beneath an enormous
blue and white umbrella on the patio near a huge kidneyshaped pool
he arrived latehad said he would walking down from the house he intended to briefly
introduce himself then hit the pool it
was hot
Choice interrupted him
overhearing itquickly he excused himselfbeat
it to the pool where underwater he burst out laughing he didnt want to injury anyones feelings not knowing them from Adam didnt want to get off on the wrong foot
they had years on him
the cool water was luxurious
having set
his beer bottle on the pools edge in the shade his high rushing higher his
humour utterly distractingentertaining him he
missed that the group en masse had retreated to the airconditioned house
when he cheeped at himselfgot out
of his head he saw they were gone
he relaxed in the water and finished
his beer
Damn no one was around to fly fetch him another
beer
Nada he
wasnt tipping
he got out of the pool
toweling himself offwalking up to
the house he could smell the teriyaki bambooskewered shish kabobs he brought
being barbecued
good timing
yanking a tshirt on he entered
the house where he found the ensemble in the den around a spacious gaming
table they were playing River poker
We have room if you’d like to play. someone said
No thank you I don gamble at
cards Think Ill take advantage of the
pool table though
By the way Im
Joe
they must not have heard him
Ofcourse not
he didnt wait to be acknowledged
the nine-foot Brunswick fringed leather
pockets eyeballed himbeckoned fringed like long eyelashes coy
he rolled the cueball down the
table
it crawled
unerringly
almost made him hard with anticipation
he racked the balls smashed them
disappeared into the game
someone touched his shoulderhe
didnt hear them approach
Excuse me, it's time to eat.
Ohyes thank
you I shoot pool I go off elsewhere
she was a gentle woman soft smelled
good reminded him of his mother
Might I prepare you a plate?
thoughtful
like his Maw
No
thank you Ill come up and help myself Thank you for making me aware
You’re quite alright, Joe; I’m
Helen.
he shook her hand A
pleasure to make your acquaintance Helen
she
had nothing to do with Choice
his butcher chose an excellent
top sirloin
his host grilled the shish kabobs
beautifully served them with cold
watermelon slices peppered potato salad
they all sat together in the
diningroom a casual greencheckered gingham
tablecloth over the table two round vintage
pebbledglass Anchor Hocking pitchers filled with iced tea were at either end of
the table
it was a fine luncheon
when they finished everyone
helped clear the table they seamlessly worked
to put up foodstuff in cupboards in the refrigerator rinsed washed dried plates
and utensils then the group returned to their poker game
his host came down to shoot pool with
him
Quite an eclectic gathering Jim
Yes, they’re characters; the
majority of them are Carrie’s friends or associates.
his wife Carrie had died
four years prior
the pool table was her idea
he spanked her regularly on it
Jim was his friend
Jimbo gotta
share this with ya It was Choice
It’s a choice group.
Definitely Aaron and Claire in particular
Those two are kooks.
Ohmy they were talking to Michael
when I walked up on them beside the pool They were all over him lambasting him telling him theyd been noticing he
was having trouble hearing conversations he better get his hearing checked
Jimbo rolled his eyes
Aaron and Claire?
Choice huh
he laughed uproariously then
covered his mouth Aaron and Claire, really?
Ohyeah
They’re
almost deaf; even encumbered with hearing aids they often miss parcels . . maybe
choose not to hear, or mute their aids.
Crazy
Oh man, that is choice.
Choice
1614, Saturday,
17 7. 21
1254, Day-between-Two-Ts, 28 7.
21
