they slowedstopped their vehicle
in the middle of the quiet neighbourhood street to yak with the postman who was
delivering mail from his truck
Mike!
How the hell are you?
Hey guys, well I’m well, what’s
with you two?
he sat in the passengers
seat Moby carried the conversation
Fine fine, hiked, had
coffee, heading up to Joe’s for beers.
Sounds tasty, finish my
route, get home, I’ll crack one, think of you boys.
Mike was a junior high student of
Mobys small community
he grew up in Chicago couldnt imagine relating again or even seeing
teachers who taught him school was a
revolving door for educators and students alike each were almost anonymous to the other once a
yeartwo passed ships in the night
Mr Carter was different he lived in the neighbourhood lived on the same uptown block
as the movie theater lived near enough they could beat ass to his place and
lose the ushers who chased them their
job to keep kids out who tried sneaking in
it was a kick likely Mr Carter had his suspicions as they panted at his door when he opened it they pushed in shutting the door quickly behind them Christ couldnt have felt more secure in
his tomb than when the stone was rolled into its opening as they did when Carters
door was shut tight
Well laddies . . upta something,
abit o' mischief? who talks like that only the English
No sir
Come now, I was a lad once . .
methinks you’re trying to blow smoke up my arse.
arse they loved it who talked like
that only Mr Carter
Yah a weebit of mischief Mr
Carter he admitted the
others cringed Blowin weebit a smoke nough to tickle fannies but
donchanaw think fannies ought be tickled
Mr Carter furled his brow he had an expressive manytimesfolded
brow Ahyes lads, ya are
funny.
a white pickup approached them
from behind Mike it wouldnt be able to go around
Mike glanced in the
rearview
Moby was in the middle of an old
story if he didnt tell it all if he
stopped he wouldnt remember where he stopped or what his point was
fortunately his stories werent usually entertaining
with the whole of the windshield
before him he saw inside the pickup where what looked like Mom an Pop their
teenaged daughter seated between them the parents looked none too enthused looked absolutely dour the teenager was bright a twinkling lil light a
firebug blinking in the night he couldnt help but smile she
returned it
Best move Moby
I’m almost finished . .
. .
Mike leaving you a real cliffhanger To be concluded next time eh
Catchya guys next time.
I’m almost done.
Later Mike he looked in Mobys ear Drive
I was almost fin . .
. . Were not holding up traffic on account of an old story about a pickup
bball game
shaking his head he returned his gaze through the windshield he recognised the
girl ahyes Betty Boop she grinned bigger wha a cutie her old man glowered so did her Maw bookends
Whell shit
as they pulled forwardpassed nodded
to them acknowledging their patience Moby asked Well shit what?
I know her Betty
Shes got a bit of a belly
Who’s Betty?
Teenager in the truck Seen her around Theyre up a few houses on the opposite side
of the road from my place Ran into her a
weektwo past as I walked an read she asked me How do you do that? she seemed
humoured by it Years of practise I told
her I noticed her bump she was wearing a
shortie top her midriff exposed tight
belly I asked Howya do tha her humour frothed to laughter Oh you know . . teaser, I’m showing it off because I wont have it
long, my parents aren’t letting me keep it.
Her parents . . I recognise them.
Yado
Yeah I do. This is queer. I’ve
seen them at church down the road from my place; buddy buddy with the priest.
Whell could suppose a good thing to be nearer God
Nearer God? You don’t believe.
I don They do
Yes they do.
Wonder how many votive candles
theyre going to have to light
Votive candles?
Confession absolve sin From the Latin votum promise dedication
prayer
Can
imagine theyll have to keep a firehose nearby
Jesus.
Paints an innarestin picture
1607, Thursday,
27 1. 22
1143, Thursday,
14 4. 22
