the most genius solutions

the most genius solutions

A Story by Philip Gaber


 
I
Jon Jon’s wearing black shades to hide
his bloodshot eyes; he’s been smoking a lot of pot
lately and doesn’t have any eye drops.
 
“It’s a fine line between education and ignorance,”
he says to somebody standing in line with him at
the Employment Security Commission.
 
Somebody nods  and says, “You got that right.”
 
II
Jon Jon’s job counselor has a significant attitude.
He’ll get no coddling from her,
no nurturing,
no words of encouragement,
or even tough love.
He will just get a couple of job leads to follow up on.
One of them is a customer service associate for an airline.
The other is a manufacturing job for a tobacco company.
 
“Apply online,” his counselor tells him,
pointing to a bank of computers against the wall.
 
“Got some things to take care of first,” Johnny says.
“I’ll be back.”
 
The counselor doesn’t say anything. Her silence says it all.
 
III
Outside, Jon Jon runs into the somebody
he was conversing with in line, a middle-aged man
wearing a floppy hat and a poncho,
smoking a White Owl Peach Sport.
 
“My life’s kinda like a limbo without the doing or dying,”
the man says.
 
Jon Jon nods and says,
“Well, brother, it’s no easier at ground zero,” and walks
to the bus stop where he meets a girl named Sandy.
Smoking Dunhills.
Drinking Southern Comfort with a
splash of lime out of a thermos.
Mascara running.
Throaty laugh.
Eyes without a past.
Lips painted purplish-red.
Necklace bought at a Stuckey’s in New Mexico.
 
She turns to Johnny and says:
“Sometimes, when I come upon a stranger
I have the urge to kick them, especially when
they’re at their most vulnerable.
When they’re bending down to tie a child’s shoelace
or confined to a wheelchair or forced to walk with
a cane or a walker or studying quietly at a table
in the library or just after having been given some
horrible news or standing in line at the unemployment
office or struggling to carry some heavy object or involved
in a deep prayer or having just been discharged from the
hospital after undergoing major surgery or while they’re
crying or being born or dying. . .
that’s when I fantasize about kicking them as hard as I can.
And then I realize I’m not alone in thinking those thoughts. . .
And I’m at peace with myself again. . .”
 
Jon Jon smiles and winks. “Sister,” he says.
“This life ain’t nothin’ but a crapshoot,”
and he boards the number 27 bus.
 
When he arrives at his destination, he’s fast asleep.

© 2024 Philip Gaber


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Added on July 15, 2024
Last Updated on July 15, 2024

Author

Philip Gaber
Philip Gaber

Charlotte, NC



About
I hate writing biographies. I was one of those kids who rode a banana seat bike and watched Saturday morning cartoons and Soul Train. But my mother would never buy any of those sugary cereals for us k.. more..

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