Faulkner
Light in August
he dropped those early in
conversation
if eyes didnt glaze over if their
voices didnt catch in the phone line he continued
if he thought their reaction was
kneejerk Who hasn’t heard of Faulkner? or they thought it was unlikely hed
mention August if Faulkner hadnt written it he salted them with a favourite
combination
He was not
old enough to talk and say nothing at the same time. Memory believes before
knowing remembers.
crickets
the coup de grace
Even a liar can be scared into telling
the truth, same as an honest man can be tortured into telling a lie.
even if they didnt know the
quotes were from August they should have been able to expound upon themshare what
they thought of them with him
crickets
even fireflies quit flashing their
lanterns
those were short conversations
short and sweet and telling
Oh. You’re going?
I am
Well, it’s been nice chatting
with you.
Thank you Its been nice talking with you also
then he either excused himselfstood
up from the table or said goodbye and hung up
when he met Allie he knew he couldnt
let her gohe was holding onto her
she held onto him
they knew somehow they were extraordinary
together unexpected
the other couples they had met at
different venues and at other peoples homes
they always enjoyed their company
that night he asked Allie if he
could take her out for a drinkfor a lemondrop martini
that was the first cocktail he ever
bought her she wasnt disturbed when the
bartender told them that the dishwasher hadnt shown for their shiftthat they
were behind and he couldnt serve her in a martini glass
she said that was okay
that
was a strong inkling he liked her
which was then fortified when she
left early with her date who took her homewho had taken exception that they
were hitting it off they had come to the
club to meet friends who were dancers
he told her he didnt dance
she didnt mind
they ran into the couples at a
favourite bar
mechanic Mike and
clerical worker Jacklynn she was a
walkingtalking lovely portmanteau her
father was Jack her mother was Lynn the
other couple was Elaine who preferred Laney and her girlfriend Rosa
the six took a large booth near the
rear of the lounge near the Fire Door the
Fire Door was painted fire red if
conversation ever lapsed all one had to do was eyeball it black magicmarkers were placed in an antique soapdish
screwed into the jamb people were
encouraged to write thoughtful graffiti conversations were usually rejuvenated by random injections of the banal
and profound written there
he was responsible for several the
lounge laureate
taking a seat they riffed on the
coincidencehe didnt buy into coincidences that the six had converged that
night his denial helped fashion the aggressive
conversations that went around and across the tableoften speaking over each other
it
smelled like blood
he
was having a ball
before they got too terrible tore
up he suggested they take the party to his place hed drive
he had a late 90s four-door benchseat Chevy
Tahoe affectionately named Tatanka
loosely it was agreed to
Fine Ill settle the bill collect your things Ill
be right back
the hostess was also the cashier
who knew this place would be
hopping on a Wednesday night
a little later longer than he thought
he squared up and made his way back to the red buttoned Naugahyde booth
walking up the aisle he saw Allie
facing him intoxicated bemused
confused thats how he read her expression
at the booth he looked across the
table
Laney wheres Rosa
She left.
to his right
Jacklynn wheres Mike
He took off.
We shelving the party
the three answered Hell no!
but didnt get up
Awright awright Sit tight Ill bring the car up nearer the door
Need some water while Im
gone
Yes.
Ill have the busser bring three
glasses Back in ten
Yes.
leaving he decided hed take his
time let the girls come down a bit walking out he wondered what transpired between the couples
the blood wasnt that ugly
Jacklynn was very feminine wore a
floral tied shoulderstraps sundress the
modest Vneck couldnt secret the swell of her breasts
Mike was lucky
Laney on the other hand wore a blouse
slacks and highheels she was sixtwo
without her blouse plunged her breasts aplenty
Rosa was lucky
he found a spot to park down the street
beyond the lighted lounge front before empty grassy lots that were maintained
Im back
Jacklynn had moved and now was on
the aisle beside Allie she slid over Laney was immediately at her left shoulder
You three look cozy we still on
Yes.
Everyones cool
Laney laughed
I’ll take Jacky’s
arm, you take Allie’s . . scoot girls.
he took Jackys elbow helped her
up turned her into the aisle as he took Allies elbow and helped her up hands full he looked at Laney as she scooted
towards him
standing upright he had quite the
view
when Laney cleared the booth and stood
she said I ought to charge you admission.
Ya oughta Make it reasonable an we can go again
Allie? You listening to your
boyfriend?
He admires goodlooking women, you
could have charged me admission too.
Me too! chimed Jacky
Seems were all fans Laney he said
Yes, well thank you very much, but
I can only show real appreciation to two; you’d have to suffer mere appreciation.
Im sure Id appreciate it
Oh you know it, babe.
he and Allie lead the way out and
down to the car
he unlocked the doors held the rear door for Jacky to enter first
Jacky didnt sit and slide she hiked
her skirt got in on her hands and knees to crawl the back of her thighs were appealing
Step aside, gang said Laney this looks like a job for me.
she reached up between Jackys legs grabbed her left thigh ran her thumb
between her legs
they figured shed bolt
she didnt
she
squatted back against Laneys thumb over her shoulder she said Oh, man, that
feels good, feels real good.
awkward
for a fleet second
Crawl forward, baby. said Laney never once stopping her massage Lemme in.
Jacky crawled
Laney saddled up
he opened the passenger door for
Allie so she could get in
she smiled lazily Mind if I sit in back too? Jacky was still wiggleworming to the opposite
door Laney was still diddling her blouse fell open to either side of her
breasts
No babe Help yourself
she smiled ridiculously large
helping her in Laney
turned onto her fannystill with her hand between Jackys legsJacky beginning to
pant and taking a hip Allie slid up against Laney and grasped her exposed breast
he closed the door
he closed the passenger door
he walked around the front of Tatanka
to his door and let himself in
it smelled wonderful
he slipped the key in fired up Tatanka
before pulling away from the curb
he adjusted the large rearview mirror to look into the backseat
it was the first time he didnt bitch
it was too large
dreaming early
Monday morning, 9 12. 21
1226, Saturday,
14 8. 21
