He

the man appeared from his apartment. like always he invited me in. like always i took him up on the offer. i needed his wisdom. even without a full grasp of its origins. he wore an unkempt beard with holes in it & streaks of gray. his only vice was Christian Brothers Whiskey. neat. out of plastic cups. generic cigarettes. he lived in an old apartment he restored himself from a trade taught to him by his father. his cupboards were filled with pasta & old raisin brand. he read five newspapers a day & never watched television.



he approached me with a pamphlet that read: Jesus Loves You.

i didn't believe him.

but he asked if i might read it to improve my life. i wasn't sure anything was wrong with my life. not in the way he may have imagined. but i took the pamphlet anyway to appease him. it was wrinkled. once crushed then restored from the black hole of his storage trunk (i imagined this may have happened on a morning he woke up a non-believer then by dusk -- by confidence of red skies & liquor -- found his faith again).

he stood with a wobble. his breath ripe with Christian Brothers & a love for Jesus. he wanted to pass on the life he never lived. a certain regret of abandoned young love -- the love he never got to know. once claimed focus until a fling pulled an hours worth of attention. an hour was all that was needed to end it all. he suffered a life time because of it.

his love for Jesus began after the self confessed crash. the one he "duly regrets" & yet "need not expand in detail." i figured it to be a sickness but he read into this theory & corrected me. assured me his health was in place. it was only the "regrets" he "need not expand in detail" which caused the conversion. so i dropped it.

he spoke to himself, with me standing before him, & answered himself all the same. most times he'd turn his back when the conversation got heated then he'd return to me with nodding head to assure me all was well. he'd stare off at building tops with intoxicated midnights, forming spit bubbles & white residue bout the corners of his mouth while i thumbed the pamphlet. glanced mostly at the art work -- Jesus amongst lambs & never ending land surrounds with gorgeous sunsets & God's visual eye lids. for a moment i believed. then i recalled it was art work & closed the pamphlet. his cigarette shook between his fingers. he burped inebriated loss & stumbled away to read the news. he stumbled away to find salvation. he stumbled away to die alone.

palindrome

I: (demonic/disgrace)

it all began with a broken heart
distorted pain clogged his logic
and
caused turbulence to his flight
the escape that
was planned years before when he still had logic
the broken heart left room for interference
the collapse smelled of burnt carcass
in desert plains with dust in tiny tornadoes
at first he denied the pain
replaced it with pleasure
(though he could not remember her name he remembered her hair)
(the tattoo on her outer thigh)
(the rose)
(the turtle)
he packed light and walked heavy
stormed the front door
plowed the gravel in worn down shoes
the walk lasted an hour
before he
sat on the sidelines and gawked at the inner rage
that
stifled access to a clear cut plan
no more routine
no more after work chatter
no more sex'less nights
with
bad television and scented candles
it all blew off from his disrespect
and
cowardly conduct
his thoughts told him he was right
while he
dismissed her argument and called it "selfish"
while he, himSELF, inhaled dust
and
dined on grease pans of cheap bacon
washed with motel hand soap
and brown river water
horny rotten tooth meth addicts considered him a model
he fell for it
despite the instincts with blared radar to re-direct his risk habit
he justified the lack-there-of
held his breath for the loose body
packed with baby powder
the remains never washed off
the regret never settled

II: (ex...((it))...(communicate))...)

the broken heart bled
contaminated his lungs
shortened his breath
he lingered on the outskirts with hand cut t-shirts
and trampled denim torn by rusty nails
the Medford cold froze his face to permanent frown
his mid-drift shot pains of over caffeinated substitutes
the alcoholic in him screamed for mercy
he hammered his pounding leg that walked him off the wagon
while he stumbled on farm plants and clinging Monkeys
the med'z ran out the day before
(no refills)
(no insurance)
(she'd removed his name from the plan the day he packed)
caught his breath by a freeway breeze
coughed dry heaves of constipation
he staggered about the over pass
uncomfortable by the stick of his boxers
he screamed out loud
over traffic
cried before passing auto-motives
who
blared horns of "FUCK YOU" with fictitious hate
that
ignited his exit in plain sight
they call it "the easy way out"
he calls it "the only way out"
God dropped him off in the Meadowlands
long
before he'd had a chance to submit his heart
before he'd had a chance to forgive his strays
before he'd had a chance to know natural lust
(untainted by his molesters)
before him stood a brick wall
the palindrome spelled twice confirmed his suspicion
no more debate
only follow-thru
the threat long past it's deadline
action called out echos

III: (return/rebuke)

he didn't die that night
the broken heart flooded his brain
fractured his faith
he awoke by tumble weed
allergies inflamed
Klammath Falls wet lands doused in snow patches
he faced pathways that lead back home
his resistance laid in pride
restless apologies damaged his motives
predictions of discomfort nailed his feet
assumptions of cold shoulders punctured his veins
32 years of repetition to support prediction
he longed for dark corners
kidnappers and hijacks
distractions and diversions
car wrecks and cluster'fucks
he stood between home and the distance
to measure depths of recourse
the palindrome crackled in friction
the broken heart flat'lined reconciles

Love Péril

It had been years since she'd seen him. She puzzled the reality of her submission. She promised herself she'd never respond to a call from him again. That she'd inherit her power and stand clear.

She caved and could not understand it.

She stepped in the hotel and took the elevator. She stared off with guilt. Cursed herself for falling for it. It was not a difficult exchange. He called. She knew it was he but she answered anyway. He didn't call from a number she recognized. It was the obscurity of time in which he would call. Usually late nights. That's how it use to happen. That's how it would always happen. She understood his habits.

She answered and sounded meek.

-"Hello?"
-"Can I see you?"
-"...okay."

She hesitated in her agreement. He heard it in her voice but it didn't matter to him. He wanted what he wanted. To be considerate would damage the outcome. So he fondled her weakness. He knew how. Always did. He'd wallow in her self hate and conjure a false confidence. He'd tell her she's beautiful. She's smart. She's passionate. Not even she knew what she was passionate about and some how he did. This caused her to trust him. This caused her to buckle at his every demand.

He sees something I don't. He knows me better than I know me. He pays attention. He gets me. That's all I ever wanted was for some one to get me.

Not even Steve "got" her. Not in the way she wished for. During their seventeen month relation Steve listened. Steve asked questions. Never the "right" questions for her. She mentioned "him" to Steve several times. Steve stayed patient. He tried to understand. He gave it time and figured she'd get past it.

She didn't.

She called his name out in her dreams. When Steve woke her she was delirious of the circumstance...but could not deny the possibility of it's truth. Steve left that night. She didn't miss him. She trashed him to her friends.

-"What a coward!" they'd say as a the liquor flowed with laughter, bad music and shallow men. They erased Steve's memory with after parties. They distracted her with the moment. They'd feed her enough spirits for her to anticipate a hang'over, but hold the satisfaction of having moved on.

The rush of the cold jolted her into realization. She cursed herself for being there. She punished her soul with guilt. She told herself to turn away. To go. To forget about it. But the concept of "obligation" kept her commited. She could not disappoint him. She could not back out. Not now. Not after she'd said "okay." The relation was forbidden by all she knew. Especially Kim. She once confessed her love for him to Kim. It paralyzed Kim. Kim responded full of judgment. Full of morality.

-"You have to walk away," Kim would say. "You have to walk away now."

In a way, she had. But only in the sense that he had not called in years. That he had been off the map, therefore harmless. She figured she could love him as long as he stayed away. She never thought about the possibility of his return (though she dreamed it). Kim found it a danger. A risk to her pride. No matter though. Kim was no longer a factor. Not since she married a Pastor and turned away from her previous life.

She stood before the door with a tremble. Not from the cold. Now from anticipation. She envisioned his look. The move of his body. The heat of his breath. She mused his look and how it must have changed over the years. His voice was still the same. She felt the rush through her gut when he spoke on the phone. It put her at a chaotic calm that wrestled with her lust for danger and the forbidden. He was her first so she could not cross him out. Not like Steve. He was easy. He was far down the road (number 48 to be exact).

But he was number one. Late night habits even then. This was how she learned it. Her nocturnal sex drive that achieved her many admirers through the years.

In the hallway she tried to find a smile. She only found the footprints for which she allowed him to walk over her. And this gave her comfort. She gave in to the use. She had no children so the need to be needed was an obsession. At least she thought it was "need." She needed it to be "need."

He stood handsome in the frame of the door. Built like a lumberjack. Plad shirt. Workman's jeans. White socks. Traces of Grey in his beard with whiskey and pall malls scenting his pores. He welcomed her with a smile. She stepped in with her head down. Far too shy to give a proper greeting, she awaited his first move. He took her in a hug and she exhaled a debachurous sigh. She inhaled the whiskey from his body; the aroma of cigarettes gave sense memory. A time of youth. A time of indoor smoking. A time that made her smile. A smile she had not found in years. Not until now. She didn't even know she was smiling until he pointed this out to her. She didn't know she was crying, either, until he pointed this out to her. She'd stopped thinking for the moment. But not for long. She began to work the alibi in her head in case the question of "what'd you do last night" were to come up. She worried everyone would know where she'd been. That she'd give it away some how.

No matter. Not an issue until the time comes. For now, she's here. With him. Where she hardly belongs, but where she's the most comfortable; comfortable within the chaos. b

-"Take off your pants," he whispered.

She did so without hesitation. She breathed heavy like a male virgin. Her thighs shook as she removed each leg from her jeans. He turned her around and caressed her lower body. This was what he'd dreamed of when he called. Her lower body. He liked the rest of her too. But for now, this was what he wanted. He unbuttoned and entered. It was easier than he thought it'd be. Too easy. She vocalized her pleasure like a "thank you." She orgasm'ed within seconds. She called out to him in that way she knew he liked. The sound of her caused him to loose control and finish on her lower back just above her dragon tattoo. He had never seen this tatoo so he knew it was recent.

-"How long ago did you get that?"
-"Six months ago."
-"I was gonna say, 'cause it wasn't there the last time."
-"It's been awhile."

She could hear the "you gotta go now" in his voice. Normally she'd take the hint and leave. But this time she wanted to make him work. She wanted him to say it. She wanted to hear it in plain text. She refused to submit to his passivity. She had to convince herself that she had a shred of control. Even within the walls of a lie.

He tried to maintain decency but it was hard. He was done with her. Finished. She was no longer sexy to him at that moment. Maybe after she'd gone he'd revisit her in his mind; but he did not want the responsibility at that moment. But he couldn't tell her that. Not so quickly.

-"You doing okay?" he asked
-"No."
-"You need money?"

She never answered. But he shelled out five bills anyway. He'd always been like this. He'd been paying her off since the dawn of man. He'd send random cash in Christmas cards; birthday cards; all of them with the same enscription: "Thinking of you!"

She'd stack the cards in a shoe box and often place the money in soup cans. This money had been building for years. She had no clue how much was there. She felt too guilty to spend it.

He stood with low patience; hands in pockets. She realized she did not have the courage to wait him out. His passive disposition was too strong. She made her way to the door but did not reach for the knob. Not at that moment. She stood, head down, hands to her side, feet pointed inward. She wanted to hear something from him. Something endearing. A tib-bit of comfort.

He said:

-"I have to get up early."

She stormed out. Down the elevator and back out to the cold. She ignored cat calls from random pretty boys on bar patios. She shunned the whistles from the cars full of college boys. All things she would normally take as confirmation to her beauty. All of which she'd normally egg on to store in her reserve when she needed a boost. But not this night. Not at this moment. She walked with hands in pockets. A throb in her pelvis. His scent in her nose.

Coleman Letters (third letter)

8/12 (5:49AM)

Orbic,

Thank you for your letter. I didn't check my mail until a few minutes ago; and as I state above, it is nearly 6AM. I just got home. I prowled about the streets for a bit, but I couldn't really focus, per say, because it's Second Saturday and everyone was out. Man-O-Man, every one was out. And you know what? I didn't get irritated. I cruised the art galleries a bit, drank orange juice and eavesdropped on random conversations. It is amazing, Orbic -- and I'm sure you know this well -- people have nothing to talk about. Everything they say and respond to is gossip. Everything is "fuckin' bullshit" to all these non-thinkers who thrive on stupidity. I say I didn't get upset about it; and that really is true. I didn't. I just listened, laughed, and dreamt of indulging in the free wine – plagued with the reality of my thirteen months of sobriety. They give wine out like donations at these art galleries, I must say. It is very tempting.

Now, to answer your questions:

What will happen if your surgery takes a turn for the worst?

That's a good question.

Truly, I don't know and I don't think about it. I'm told about disability and being able to live and have a tutor teach me how to read brail and walk and talk and function like a blind person.

But I don't like to think of that.

The one thing my Mother told me to do, that I listened to and am proud that I did, was that I learned to type. I have an editor to correct my spellings and chop my run on sentences. So chances are, I'll keep writing no matter what. Especially since my goal is to be finished with my book before the surgery. I'm having momentary episodes of "shit, I think I can't see." But nothing too serious. Mostly, I react off lights. I wear shades in-doors -- which is pretty acceptable, fashion wise for the men (the women too). Problem is I'm out of style because I'm not wearing "stunner shades"; so mostly I look like the creepy guy in sunglasses and strange clothes. Not that I dress all that bad. But to be out and amongst the Second Saturday walkers, in my attire, is a dead give away for my lack of pop culture upkeep. I'm really trying with that. I read online as much as possible; and listen out for tid bits in regards to phrases ("I'm so crispy", whatever that means) and the latest music.

I'm sure I'll take the disability. I'd be a fool not to. But it is not going to stop me from writing.

Are you still in contact with Jill?

No.

Are you seeing anyone?

I am happy to say I am not.

As I've told you before, I'm just not made for that. I'm too esoteric for the taste of most women outside the crunchy granola-flower girls (and I have to force myself to see attraction with those types of girls).

Someone once told me -- in a very superficial manner -- that I "see beauty in people that is not there."

True? Maybe.

I've been with some pretty "so-so" girls throughout my life. Never the "top notch" tens that George, so proudly, measures his manhood against. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I had one.

Plus, there is my performance problem in bed.

It's too embarrassing. I come so damn quick I might as well masturbate and keep the sex partner in my imagination. I think it's just that I get so excited about sex -- since I don't have enough of it -- that when it comes down to it, I'm too overloaded for my own good. It might be best for me to rub one out before I meet up with someone. But that has no point these days because I'm just too damn terrified to try it. "Try it" as in, "try to meet up with someone." I'm so bitter with women, for the most part, that I can only see them as associates, on some level; but never for much else. They become subjects of study; but to get too involved is to place myself in a weird position of not knowing what to do next.

Have you gone to any publishers about your book?

It's a sad case, but no I have not.

Right now I'm too scared to pitch it. I don't know how to pitch it. I don't know how to break down what it's about, and speak about it in an articulate manner, because I don’t know what the book is “about.” I've mentioned to you before that it's so scattered that it's hard to tell.

I do want to thank you for your kind words on the chapter I sent. Same old Orbic: a whole lot of nice things to say, peppered with criticism so subtle I am fooled into thinking it’s a compliment…until I re-read it.

When you mentioned that the cab driver reminded you of "a lost soul with a clear-cut idea of his purpose" at first I took this as a compliment in my writing style (and I don't deny that on some levels it was a compliment). But when I thought about it more, and read it again, I realized it was a way of you saying "interesting" which meant the work was unclear and muddy.

I laughed my ass off when I connect this. I thought, "That Orbic, man. He is really somethin'." And you are. You live the kind of life that all creative people wish they could: with complete freedom. Boy would I like to live in Paris like you did for a year, then travel off to Tokyo for 2 years, then back to New York, only to live in a shit-hole apartment, and loving my creative life. I just don't have the damn balls to do it. I get too caught up in worry and fear of failure. We all know how deathly afraid of failure I am. It's a curse to me. I can never get over a simple hump and land on a path of motivation. You are truly a figure to envy, even if I don’t envy you.

Shit man. It's early, and believe it or not, my eyes are heavy.

I will keep you posted on things. Thank you for showing the concern. Makes me feel like you're right here by my side, like you use to be.

Night.

D

Pulse

When they found Winston Elswit he'd been drinking bottles of Kessler for six days straight. It was a marvel he'd been able to load the pistol let alone place it to his temple. Only when he pulled the trigger he didn't die the first time. He went blind. And for almost an hour Winston suffered in painful darkness -- sightless eyes burned with blood and the potent smell and sour taste caused him to spit and morph himself into a desperate animal -- as he felt about the floor to locate the pistol and finish the job. He was finally able to recover it and finished himself orally...

Though Spencer feared life and the thought of having to live in it he feared death even more. So by the time Steve dropped him back to his place -- after stating "Fuck it! I might go fuck Haley again!" -- Spencer was in a moment of catching a thought from his racing mind:

Melora.
Cha-Chi.
Haley.
His Father.
The Old Men on the porch.
The Irish Girl.
Laughter.
Isolation.
Smiles.
Music.
Skates.
Skunks on train tracks.
Dreams not pursued.



All of this coupled with the facts of his rich sex life which he'd often diminish to nothing:

- "I've fucked more fat girls than most," he thought. "Fat girls and ugly girls in their forties dig me...not that there's anything wrong with girls in their forties...but it's all I can get..."

When Spencer made it up the stairs to the door of his apartment he found his neighbor's door across the way wide open with blaring Steely Dan filling the air. He hardly knew this neighbor. He'd been over there for a drink once. But he didn't know her. She was white trash. Skinny. A chain smoker. Dora was only nineteen and her mother, Doris, lived in that one bedroom apartment with her. They were a strange mother/daughter "team." Far too strange for, even, Spencer's taste. For their was a time, a few months ago when Winston showed up at Spencer's apartment unannounced. Months before he shot himself. And the only time Spencer had a conversation with his father...

....he had one over me, dear friends; for I'd never met my father; he was a memory before I could think of him; I knew of his brilliance of charm; tendencies of flight; beyond his first name -- which I've long forgotten -- I had not known anything else...

Winston's four day stint included several six packs of malt liquor, all of which Winston drank on his own. Most of which was paid for by the large jar of change in Spencer's apartment. A jar that started out full and wound up a bottom layer of pennies. A four day stint that revealed Winston's violent side. None that Spencer witnessed first hand, but heard through the many tales spun in drunken lingo by Winston. The night Winston made them both a dinner of top ramon and hot dogs (Winston included a tall malt liquor with dinner, but Spencer declined). Winston confessed to hitting Spencer's mother. He confessed his regret. They sang songs of the 80's -- for Winston fancied himself a singer; a broken musician; even though it had never been recalled that Winston actually participated in the discipline. A four day stint that included not only the draining of his change jar, but Winston fucking both Dora and Doris...

...at the same time....

Spencer called Melora expecting her to hang up. When she answered he simply said:

- "Hi."

It took a moment.

- "Hi," she responded.

- "Sorry I called."

- "You OK?"

- "No."

- "You drunk?"

- "...little bit."

- "How much have you had?"

- "You want it in gallons?"

- (sigh)

- "I don't know how much I had. Steve came over."

- (no response)


- "Hello?"

- "I'm here," Melora said.

- "I know how much you hate Steve. But he had an issue, so he showed up with a 30 pack of beer."

- "A 30 pack?"

- "Yeah."

- "And you drank the whole thing?" there was a hint of judgment in her voice.

- "He had an issue. Trust me. It was necessary."

- "What happened?"

- "He had sex with an under age girl."

- (sigh)

- "Yeah. I know. He was all fucked up over it."

- "Who was it?"

- "Some girl. I don't know. She use to come in to the Garage...I don't know."

- "How old?"

- "Seventeen."

- "That's better than what I was thinking."

- "What were you thinking?"

- "Fifteen."

- "Oh no. Hell no. She was seventeen."

- "That's still bad."

- "Anyway he...we...drank a lot and...now all I hear is my neighbor's music."

- "Hm."

- "Were you sleep?"

- "Yeah."

- "Should I let you go?"

- "Yeah."

- "Can we talk for a few more minutes?"

- (no response)

- "Hello?!"

- "I'm here. That's fine."

- "I keep thinking about my Dad. It's been over a month, ya know, and I can't get 'im out my mind. Just like how he must have been feeling. Keep feeling like I'm just like 'im. Like I'll do the same thing he did. He was a guy of broken dreams and envy and homophobia. He was a drug head, a drinker, he was violent...when he was here, sure, he drank a lot. It was only four days but he drank a lot....would start at nine in the morning, go all day, and be up and out the house by five A.M. Kind'uh trippy, really...don't know how he did it...but he did it...he really loved me...he really did...wasn't there for me or anything, but he loved me...hated himself for not being there; all he did was express regret -- especially when I asked him if he hit my Mom. He said 'yes' and cried. Right there he cried...I didn't know what to do..."

- (silence)

- "Hello?"

- "I'm here."

- "Anyway...'m sorry I woke you up."

- "'S OK."

- "I really wish you were here...fuck...sorry....shouldn't have said that...."

- (no response)

- "I'm really sorry I said that."

- "You gonna be OK?"

- "Yeah," and then he said it again... "Yeah."

- "K."

- "I will uhhh...talk to you later."

- "OK."

-"Sleep well."

-"You too."

- "I will. When I pass out eventually, I will."

- "K."

- "Night."

- "G'night."

*****

Spencer awoke on the floor with overwhelming optimism. He unloaded a bit of change from the drained down 20 oz jug for coffee. He was down to four cigarettes and so he knew he needed to rashin his savings. The taste for beer was bound to hit later. Food was not much of a problem since he had hot dogs and eggs in the fridge. During this type of excitement food could only serve as a stomach lining. The priorities were coffee, smokes, and beer. He'd been in this position before. So he understood he could complete his purchase for $10. Problem was he was $2 short. This meant he'd have to get the coffee and smokes now, then "find" the remaining monies later. No matter. The optimism was too strong that day. He would achieve his short term goals and attempt to revel in the good feeling that he felt. He would not allow the downs to over take him. Hell if he wanted to (in his own mind) he could rid his life of financial burdon by the end of the day. He could stop his worries and laugh of the old days. He could speak of Winston's death as a tragedy. A moment in time that contributed to his success; and all those he'd tell the story to could look to Spencer as one who rose above the opposition while gracefully accepting his charity. He imagined putting surprise checks in the mail to all those he'd ever borrowed money from. If Spencer had acquired anything from Winston it was the inate spirit of belief from friends and family. That "one day" it would all turn around for him. They hardly paid attention to his flaws and his inability to finish anything. All they saw was the man he could be instead of the man he actually was. Spencer and Winston were able to superimpose success even with the obvious beggar's life they'd both led. It was a gift in some ways. A gift that would eventually need follow-thru if the belief were to continue. Other wise the options were likely to run out and Spencer would be forced to face the rejection he feared.

I held my index on the speed dial। Twice I pushed it and twice I ended the call. I anticipated the chaos arising with my number being lit on her phone. I could already hear the firm panic in Natasha's voice. That voice that would front with boldness while her sharp tone would disclose fear. Her balls were shields for weakness. A weakness I never deconstructed early on. Before I was the one held by the balls. The one in silence, hoping she might let up on the wind storm of hurled insults. She'd never demonstrated fear until the night I hit her. I confess, for a moment I was proud of my power. Even though it was temporary. She took that power back by having me hauled off to jail. The eleven hours in the holding tank amongst the local petty criminals caused me to fantasize of Natasha's regrets. I imagined her on her way to the bail bondsman, hurridly, with a fist full of bail money. Sure she would not be able to stop the D.A. from pressing charges, but it would have shown me the depths of her forgiveness. A forgiveness that did not work both ways. Our destructive relationship was not strong enough to sustain abuse. At least not in the physical form. She'd abused me plenty. Twice by hurly a lamp and once with a direct punch to the face. My nose bled but I told her it was "OK." It seems now I was telling her that so that she might return the forgiveness the day I hit her. I knew it might come. I knew the violence was within me. I'd fought it off far too many times to be ignorant of it. Though my violence meant nothing in jail. I was in the position of the helpless. I'd had my chance to correct behavior. I'd had my chance to walk away. I could never figure out why I didn't. Only that I needed the abuse. It gave me a hope. Too much kindness would only push me over the edge. I needed the unpredictable. I did not want to know what every night would bring. The next morning's anger. Frustration. Worries. I needed the lack of anticipation and predictability in order to have the feeling of a life. Too much calm erupted chaos. Too much of a regular life would push me over the edge. I could not handle being understanding. There was never any reasonable reason for any action between Natasha and me. Only the reality of it's existence. I pegged this as normal. When I was let out of jail I returned home to a stale feeling. I knew my court date was around the corner and I knew I might truly suffer for what I'd done. I wasn't ready for such a punishment. I never paralleled my life with punishment. Only the skin of my teeth. I had been released from many circumstances that might have proven fatal. But this would not be one of them. And as I sat in my car, watching her house, I understood I no longer could comprehend consequence, since I did not believe it to apply to me. The more trouble I confronted the more indestructible I felt. The lights went out in the bedroom. I waited but I never saw Ethan leave. Everything in her house was still. The rest of the night was quiet as the moon. It wasn't until I saw the Chinese couple delivering the newspapers that I finally started my engine and drove off. My phone rang. It was Shannon. She woke up and realized I wasn't home. This was when I realized I would have trouble when I got home.

Coleman Letters (the second excerpt)

Orbic

It’s been years since our last talk. I can safely say that it hasn’t been since we ran into each other at Ray’s bar, about two years ago, that we had our last talk. Not sure what you’ve been up to (which is the main reason for me writing you at this moment); however, it has been recently that I have began to remember things.

I was playing a gig tonight at Joppy’s (I’ve been doing blues singing and song playin’), and someone from the audience shouted out to me: “SING SOME OF THAT OLD RAILROAD-COTTON-PICKIN’-BLUES YOU ALL LOVE TALKIN’ ABOUT SO MUCH!”

And I got to thinking about the last conversation we had। The conversation about blues we had over cheap whiskey and Otis Redding. Me and you got to talking about our Daddy’s; how they were both blues players, much like ourselves (thought last time we talked you talked of givin’ it up; is that still the case?). We got to talkin’ about how we didn’t have a choice, as black men in poverty; we had to sing the blues to keep a sanity to our existence. We talked of our arrival here, through the Middle Passage, and when our forefathers were put in the fields, it was calls to God and verses of blues that kept them up; the same things that kept us up (thought our freedom was limited by our own state of mind by our chosen mentalities of victim-hood). We talked about going from slavery to segregation; how our fathers sang the blues to keep from goin’ crazy. How they held their heads down in the presence of the white man. Not blamin’ the white man (damn near praisin’ him for evil, as much as they was tryin’ to earn his respect). How our fathers looked up to Lead Belly for writin’ his blues song about the Governor while he was doin’ his time in prison for manslaughter…turns out the Governor liked what Belly had to say, because he let Belly out on “good behavior” (or as we remembered it “A—kissin’ without shame!”). Belly didn’t mean what he wrote about the Governor; all that he said about how the Governor is a good Governor; and how he honors the Governor for how good he’s been to colored folks. Oh no, Belly didn’t mean none of it. But our Daddy’s admired him because of it; and since our Daddy’s admired it, so did we. We talked about how neither one of our Daddy’s showed any real support of the Civil Rights Movement through action; but chose to support the Movement through playin’ the blues. We said how they both were uneducated men (much like ourselves) and felt they could not participate because of “All dem fancy words.” Ooooh, how we understood it; how we laughed and toasted that cheap wine till we found ourselves stumblin’ home and confronted by the police. “Public Drunkenness” they called it. But you called it “Walkin’ While Black”, which I have never forgotten; and I’ll tell you Orbic, that night put us in the shoes of our Daddy’s. For a moment we lived in the fear they lived in by walking the streets during the wrong part of the night. How our Daddy’s told us that when they’d woke up to burning crosses outside their windows so many times they began to think it meant Jesus was testin’ a new kind of contradiction. They said: “We saw it so many times, when they’d show up, we’d roll over and go back to sleep.”



Our Daddys’ stood as heroes how they sang about Martin Luther King; how they sang about Malcolm X; and how my Daddy got arrested for singing a song in support of Assata Shakur during church service outside the Jewish temple (how can a person forget that one?).

There was nothin’ our Daddy’s couldn’t do in our eyes; and I needed to write you to remind you that we have the same obligation. No more can we just sing the blues if there ain’t no blues goin’ through us. No more can we pretend we feelin’ a sorrow that we ain’t really feelin’. So I am writin’ you to tell you that I have recently been sent to prison for manslaughter…now I truly have somethin’ to sing the blues about. I tried writin’ a song for the Governor, but that didn’t work yet; so my next step is to try the Warden. I have yet to experience the bliss our Daddy’s might have; but I am patiently waitin’ for that day.

But I needed you to know that I have finally found a source. A source close to home, like our forefathers. A source of modern segregation to remind me of what it must have been like. All that damn integration on the outside took away from the pain…so now I’m here. Here for a long time. And I am grateful for every moment.

Write back soon. I would love to know how you’re doing. Take care. And say hello to the wife for me, if you’re still married. Until next time:

“Step on a pin
that pin will bend
this was the letter
now it’s the end.”

Best,

Chic

Macabre Of a Thief

I cared not for that child. He was nothing but the neighborhood thief. The neighborhood trouble maker, and I felt his time would be better spent else where.

When a window was shattered, a tire slashed, a shovel stolen, a newspaper burned, everyone turned the blame to ten year old Kenneth Brown -- the weightless kid who lived in the corner house with no friends and one grandmother (whose only view of him relied on past memory). Grandma Brown lived her days in front of the television while ignoring the accusations of her beloved grandson. When it came to Kenneth her eyes saw good; her ears heard joy and her soul felt God.

But Kenneth presented himself to us in full color. Shameless, head strong, with clinched fists pounding his bird chest -- going through one garage after the other, shorting us of our goods -- since he knew none of us would blow the whistle on his ways. He would smile his smile -- which would make me sick -- and crown himself the Prince of our once calm and peaceful neighborhood.

The last time he was seen was the summer of last year. He had an eye out for a particular bike owned by nine year old Tershawn (one of the rare kids in the area who still had both parents). Tershawn had good grades and lived on the other side of town. Kenneth took the effort, using hate as a motive, and walked to Tershawn's side of town and returned with the bike in his possession. He took it o his Grandmother's garage, pulled it apart -- down to the bolts -- where he would attempt to steel parts to the neighborhood bike riders. The only problem was he needed to give the frame a new identity, but had no paint. So when night fell upon us, and had eight hours to age, Kenneth began his search...and this search led him to me...

I am a "regular" guy. I work eight hours a day. I live alone. I once had a wife but that didn't work out. I fall asleep late, but the discipline gets me up and out the door on time -- with the help of cigarettes and coffee. I have never wanted much out of life outside of life on it's own. No perks. No thrills. Hardly even "happiness." Simply the knowing of day to day expectations and the occasional surprise to entice a laugh from my gut. I make modest money and indulge myself in books and brandy as I await the phone to ring in hopes of company for the evening. I'm a God fearing man. In fact God is my truest concern in life. I can live without a career. But I cannot live without God (it's God and spiritual matters that define my routine). A simple life with simple needs in a time of complexity and chaos; it can amaze my associates that I keep a clear mind and body. I observe my surroundings so I may form views and opinions and/or settle for facts (occasionally, I contradict myself; but what human being doesn't?). But with Kenneth Brown being the common man I was raised to be can take a turn for the extraordinary and put in plain sight a menace in need of harm.

For I cared not for that child.

And the night I heard my gate open - as I sat smokeless and indecisive, the answer made solid sense.

I remember that night, slipping on shoes, with sights of the all night liquor store that stood a mile from my elegantly run down, yet, humble home. My mind was a bit tapered from the brandy that night (a rare event for me) and four hours without smoking caused me to chomp my inner jaws in search of relief.

Although I heard the noise of my back gate - a sound which would drive most to call the law - something told me not to worry. I did what I would always do. I loaded my pockets with wallet and keys, and made my way for the front door...and that's when the noise from my garage made me come to a halt. It was then that I suspected who it turned out to be. I went out back, peering around the open side door he had entered through. There he was on his search. Kenneth didn't see me for several moments so I was able to watch hi in my own private enjoyment. He staggered and tripped over tools, while trying to find his night vision. I could see him trying to convince himself that as long as he believed he was silent, there would be no way for me to hear him.

Soon he turned around and saw me in the open door way. Kenneth screamed out loud and began to look for his way out. He tried to run but, yes, I caught him. I took him violently by the throat and held him, using my free hand to retrieve a dirty rag off a shelf I'd used a fortnight ago to change my oil. I stuffed the rag in his mouth, while he clawed and wiggled. I over powered his weightless body and took hold of a chain. I bowed the chain around his body and left him helpless (I never planned the macabre; but it worked out like brilliance of the best kind).

When I completed his restraints and fulfilled my lust of presenting pain upon him, I strung young Kenneth upside down, securely by his feet, and duct taped the rag in his mouth for insurance. There I stood by the twitching menace, malevolent, prided and without remorse. His escape was unheard of and my bed time was near; so I trotted off to the store, as planned, to get my nicotine. I was gone for an hour. I took my time on a leisurely drive, with the window cracked, smoking cigarette after cigarette with blaring talk radio rattling my speakers. During this drive I searched for reasons of mercy on behalf of young Kenneth...but I found none.

Upon my return, still young Kenneth hung upside down. He struggled and tried to plead mercy through the dirty rag. I nailed the garage door shut and fell asleep to the muffled moans and rattlings of chain, determined to continue my routine of late nights and early discipline.

Kenneth Brown's disappearance began a formal topic of conversation amongst the good people of the neighborhood. It came across, by all, as a concern. I find it odd. The remorse we feel when things happen to those we hate turning the quasi-emotion to a genuine output. It had been over a week since I checked on young Kenneth; yet the panic amongst the people of the neighborhood assumed years. Grandma Brown filed a "Missing Persons" and donated time and posters to the local church and local phone poles in hopes of his recovery. When I was approached by the, now, concerned good people of the neighborhood, my response was a simple one. I posed the identity of a concerned citizen and promised my support in his recovery.

It took me three hours to bury hi that day. The whole time I juggled the "what ifs" that could take place. I worried the smell would attract the good people of the neighborhood and bring some one with, let us say, a more forgiving disposition than myself out in the open and turn me over to the authorities. I also pictured the positive in having one of the good people of the neighborhood follow my example and assist me in the task at hand, while I would happily provide the brandy. But ultimately, to be truthful, I hoped for none of the above. The latter turned out to be the case. I was left alone to tend my hard work and bubbling stomach.

when I un-nailed the garage door the sweet and sour aroma hit me in cords. It caused me to sneeze and cough on contact. Kenneth dangled, just as I'd left him. But his blood shot eyes - that stared of shock - were filled with fluids. His stiff jaw and face dried out the gag in his mouth. Flies and other insects nickel ed and dim ed him to raw flesh. I disregarded the horror by taking him down. I dragged hi across my yard to thepre -dug grave in my rock garden and put his troublesome corpse where he could only create beauty. When I finished - perspiring painfully - I went in to my humble home and showered until the hot water ran cold.

The summer passed and the heat waves turned gloomy. Drops of rain and fog shown from the heavens like anger. Kenneth Brown's "Missing Persons" posters, once fresh and hopeful, turned yellow and hard. Grandma Brown passed away that winter - some say out of worry - in front of her television with her Grandson's picture in her lap. Her house, now, sits on that corner boarded up and spray painted...

("Here lies Rosemary")

...haunted and used as a Hotel for underage sex.

My routine continues without a ripple. As a man of eight hours a day, filled with concerns of God and spiritual matters, I hardly have time to look back. Although I did acquire one of the "Missing Persons" as a personal trophy (it rests in my office next to my awards for Swim Team and Chess matches). I still get the Mailbox Values in the mail with Kenneth Brown's photo on it, asking "Have you seen me?"

It makes me giggle...but a touch insulted because the "Missing since" date is always wrong by a week, and I have to correct the date for my own sense of accuracy.

The feeling of guilt does not linger with me. Especially with prescribed death. Kenneth Brown, though in my eyes - if circumstances permitted - would be worth the years behind bars, if say I had been caught. I imagined how proudly I would wear theburden as though I had provided a service to the good people of the neighborhood.

But I was never caught. Never suspected. I spoke not to an Officer of the law, a Lawyer of the court, nor was I troubled by the evils of media. I was free from life's karma, though facing consequences in the afterlife. Until then, I'm left with peace. Routine. My beautiful rock garden. Kenneth Brown hasbecome a myth in our lovely homes, told to misfit children before bed time, to set them straight and allow parents to rest easy.

For I told you...I cared not for that child.