Second Street // Part Five

A Story by David

Second Street

Part Five

Charlie woke Sunday afternoon, having apparently fallen asleep on the couch and fully dressed. Pam was nowhere to be seen. He was hungry and really stuffed up. He got to his feet and was unsteady but managed his way to the bathroom . He took one look in the mirror and cringed at what he saw. He was peering at a fifty year old man! He turned on the shower and drenched himself a long time, hands against the wall letting the hot water just drain over his head. The hot shower had cleared out his sinus’ and he was feeling human again. He went to the kitchen and got out some eggs and bacon. He attempted to make himself an omlette, how hard could it be, he thought? He was not very successful and got more of a scrambled egg mishmash. He thought to himself hell an omlette once in your mouth is all mixed up just like this! I guess I did pretty good.

He was having so many feelings coming into his head and truly was not comfortable. He was ashamed of himself for the cowardly way he acted yesterday at the shooting scene and wished he could have a do over, although the outcome would probably be the same. He was ashamed at covering his cowardice with alcohol . His life was becoming a cycle of despair. His ex, his job , no friends, living in this world of strange people, derelicts, drug addicts, wife beaters gang bangers, perverts and murderers! What was happening to him? He rummaged through his school papers and found a notebook. He decided to start a journal and record his thoughts and decisions both good and bad.

It must have been four pm and there was a knock at the door. He was in the midst of writing but went and answered the knock. It was Danny from next door. He was kind of surprised. Two visitors in two consecutive days. Hi Dan, come on in. How are you? What’s up Charlie? Just kinda checking to make sure your gonna make it tomorrow? The old lady is in one of her states. Can’t stand it! Just a ball buster. She is all in a twist because I got her a coffee maker for Christmas. Say’s I gave it to her two weeks early so I could use it. Can you imagine? Lucky I got her anything at all. Hey, do you game? I bought myself some really great games. We could play if you like? Man they are kind of expensive but really worth it. Charlie told Danny he didn’t play but hoped he would enjoy the new games. Danny asked, You gotta beer? Charlie said sure, I’m so sorry. Danny told Charlie that he had an elderly friend, Damion, just up the street that was quite a carpenter and he was in the habit of helping him. Maybe Charlie would like to meet him? He makes cabinets and sells them at the flea market on the weekends. Christ he’s almost 80. What a guy. By the way one of my brothers , Sonny George will be at dinner tomorrow. You’ll like him Danny said. You got any brothers’ or sisters’ he asked Charlie. No Charlie replied. Well I have four brothers and two sisters. I had another brother but he died quite awhile back. Sorry , Charlie replied. No big deal Danny said. Danny finished his beer and hung out a few more minutes. Ok then, see ya tomorrow. Bye Dan. The rest of the day passed without consequence and Charlie wrote down his thoughts, his hopes and dreams. A restful night on his air mattress with no sirens or screaming seemed as a dream all to itself. He woke Monday morning refreshed. Off to work and hopefully on time. He had been having trouble getting there in proper time.

He had prepared his lesson plans while alternately working on his journal so was well prepared today. Classes went smoothly and his day ended quickly. On his way home he stopped at the Safeway and picked out a bouquet from the floral shop. He thought it the least he could do for a home cooked meal. He also stopped in the liquor department and grabbed two bottles of wine. One red and one white since he had no idea what was for dinner. As he neared home he again saw those same cars , the beaters parked in his driveway space. Son of a b***h ! He parked on the street and brought his packages in the house along with his school work. It was just a little after four, so he decided to shower and change clothes. The bathroom window had a view of the backyard and trailer. As he got ready to shower a shadow caught his attention. It was those same two guys coming from the trailer, The last one out tucking in his shirt. The woman followed them out. She didn’t have any coat on and he could see she was heavily tattooed and had a large white snake wrapped around her neck. She gave one of the guys a peck on the cheek all the while grabbing the other by the a*s. She quickly disappeared back into the trailer and the men left. He took his shower, dried himself and got dressed. He still had time so he poured himself a Jack and sat down with his journal adding the aggravation about his parking place, the woman and snake. Five o’clock was approaching and Charlie was waiting for Danny’s truck to come home. Once he saw the truck he would wait fifteen minutes and then make his appearance, give Danny some time to get home and talk with his wife. It was almost five fifteen before he saw the truck appear. He knocked on their door at five thirty.

Flowers in hand and wine at the ready he felt prepared. Andy answered the door. She was casually dressed in jeans and sweater. There was a pleasant character to her , he was not sure what he felt but knew it was something genuine. Hello Charlie , Andy said. Welcome. Danny is in the shower and will be ready soon. Come in. As he entered he handed her the flowers. She almost blushed. What are these for? Dinner, he said. I hope you enjoy them? I brought some wine also. I didn’t know what you were serving so I got one of each kind. This brought a smile to her face. There was something in her mind that was not coming out verbally. He did know she was pleased. He thought of the coffee maker and wondered what she was thinking. Danny emerged from the bathroom and greeted Charlie with a resounding greeting. How the hell are ya? I got home late, sorry, occupational hazard. Not a problem Charlie said, I was watching for your truck so I wouldn’t be too early. I brought some wine. Care for a glass? Andy, open some wine Danny bellowed. She did not acknowledge but did as she was told.

Charlie looked about the room. He thought to himself, hell, this place is as bad as mine. Parts of the ceiling were peeling and moldy, apparently from an active leak. There were walls that were not sheet rocked and just stuffed with old newspapers for insulation. The rest of the walls were of an inexpensive paneling that had not been installed very well and showed signs of buckling every few feet. Andy came to the table with two open bottles of wine and several glasses. Why thank you so much he said and gave her a smile. He looked at Danny and said, can I ask you about some of the folks living around here? Sure, I know all of them Danny responded. A quick look at Andy found her rolling her eyes and shaking her head. What’s the story with that woman in the trailer behind my house? Oh her , Danny said. She’s a half a hooker. What does that mean Charlie queried? Well, her name is Lisa and she’s a crack and meth addict. Most of the time she is all cranked up and drinking at the same time. If you got drugs you can have her but then she gets so strung out she’ll get naked and wander the neighborhood looking to have sex with anyone in her path. Danny laughed and said, s**t, she even tried hitting on her pointing towards Andy. Charlie said, I saw clothes scattered all over the yard a while back? Happens all the time. She’ll get in a rage at her old man and throw his s**t in the yard. She invited us down to her place once. What a place! Litter boxes filled to the brim, cat s**t over flowing, must have ten cats. The smell of meth just overpowering and the place filled with skulls, pictures of skulls, animal skulls! There was a sound on the porch and the door opened and a large man appeared. Neither Andy or Danny seemed disturbed so Charlie guessed this was the brother, Sonny George. He was a good sized man, maybe six feet tall and had the same look as Danny, just older. Charlie was introduced and the brother sat down, never a word to Andy. Charlie then asked about the next door upstairs neighbor and the two that kept parking in his driveway. The guy upstairs is a convict drug dealer and the two other guys are just local pushers that get their stash from him. They are on parole as well. Andy set the table and busied herself in the kitchen getting the meal ready to bring to the table.

Smells wonderful, Charlie said as Andy brought the serving plates to the table. There were ribs, corn on the cob and corn bread. Andy sat down and looking at Charlie said, Dig in! Charlie loved the ribs with the sweet glazing. Something he did not cook made it even tastier. Sonny George was wolfing the ribs down so fast there was almost a sucking sound. Between ribs he would wipe his mouth on his shirt sleeve and grab some corn alternating bites between the cornbread, washing it down with gulps of wine and water. Charlie glanced at Danny and found him just playing with his food and glaring at his wife. She seemed to not pay attention and was obviously enjoying her meal. Sonny George had almost devoured all the ribs and was finally done. He looked at Danny and said, Wanna play a bit? They got up from the table and went to the next room. Danny had not touched his plate. Andy had finished and started to clear the table. Charlie got up to help. She gave him a look but said nothing. She started washing and Charlie stayed at her side to dry. He asked her if Danny wasn’t feeling well. Why she said? Well he didn’t touch his food? She smiled playfully and said, he doesn’t like ribs and can’t eat corn on the cob , dentures ya know. Charlie had a big grin come over him and said to her, coffee maker? She grinned , you betcha!