Second Street // Part Twelve

A Story by David

Second Street

Part Twelve

It was getting close to four p.m. and Andy started to clean up her cookie materials for the day. The dogs pacing, so one more time of dog duty and then to the shower. She got on a fresh pair of jeans and a good warm sweater. She wanted to make sure she was going to be warm and not rushed into selecting the first or cheapest tree. She dried and brushed her hair, putting it in a thick pony tail and securing it with a colorful scrunchy. She applied light makeup, just enough to satisfy her certainly nothing for Danny. She was tremendously aggravated today and if Danny knew what was good for him he would behave. It was around noon when there was a loud knock on the door. Peering out the window, she could see it was that scum, Sonny. She opened the door but said nothing. Sonny asked if he could come in and she asked why? The pipes froze in my trailer so I don’t have any water. Can I use your shower before I have to go to work? He disgusted her so very much but she knew Danny would throw a fit if she did not allow it. She let him in and told him to shut the door. She headed back to her kitchen, she had been talking on the phone with her sister Darlene while working on the cookies. She had been using speaker phone but with sonny in the house she had to switch back. She thought to herself, this scum Sonny was an inconvenient bum even without being in the room. Darlene was the most talkative person in the world. There were actually times when Andy would be talking to her or rather listening and just every once in awhile say yep, uh huh or some such words and on she would go. Sonny was now done with his shower and had made his way to the kitchen. He was now standing at the counter opposite Andy, looking at her. Dar, I’ll have to call you back later, ok bye. She set her mouth with a pissed off look and just glared at him. He started to describe what had happened with the pipes and all this nonsense she didn’t want to hear. Why didn’t you just check the propane she asked? I thought I had plenty came the ridiculous response. Listen I am busy if you’re done? Oh, ok, just trying to be friendly. I have so much to do, she said. Sonny got his coat and shuffled out.

She fed the dogs just as Danny was opening the door. Apparently the dogs finding the sound of the can opener more appealing than the door. They danced for her and she put their bowls down. Danny came to the kitchen and took one look and said, I should have known. Andy told him to get cleaned up so we can get going. He looked at all the cookies on the table and just sighed, alright. He took his sweet time just to get her goat.

Danny finally got his a*s in gear and just in time, Andy was steaming but held her tounge, just to make sure she got her way. After helping Charlie with his tree she wanted the same thing. She wanted life to begin again. If all it took was a Christmas tree, then that is what it would be. She was determined to feel normal once more. They drove and not a word said. The silence was deafening. Andy finally said, your creepy brother came by today and wanted to take a shower. The stupid s**t didn’t bother to check his propane and his pipes froze. I imagine he will be back often, since he is too friggin cheap to fix the pipes! I really don’t want him around without you, she told Danny. He didn’t have much of a response. She went back at him not to be dissuaded. I mean this Danny!! I won’t have that pervert in the house with me alone, do you understand me? Danny submitted and said fine!

Andy said to Danny, where are we going to eat? Danny as usual replied, how bout Chinese? He always chose Chinese and it had become so boring for her. She said fine simply because she did not have to cook. They pulled into the parking lot of the Way Ho, parked and entered. Benny was the owner and knew them. So nice to see you again, he greeted them. Benny had had some trouble a few years back. He had gotten deep in gambling and owed a fortune to the Chinese Tongs. One night his restaurant mysteriously burned to the ground in a fire of suspicious origin. No one was ever sure if it was Benny or the mob but his debts got resolved and he rebuilt. No jail time ever served. He showed them to their table and handed them menus. A pretty Chinese girl was their waitress and asked for drink orders. Danny said no thanks, we are good. Andy looked at her and said I’ll have a Scorpion Bowl, thank you. He looked at her but said not one word. They ordered and ate their meal in silence. Andy, enjoying her Scorpion Bowl, no end. The waitress brought the bill and some fortune cookies. Danny paid no attention and got up to leave. Andy sat still and cracked open her fortune. It read. Good Will Sparks Your Interest! You’re not going to read yours? Just mumbo jumbo, he replied. She reached for his and cracked it open. Your Past Soon Comes To Show You The Future is what it read. She smiled.

There was a fruit and vegetable stand just half a mile away called Lamberts Fruits and Vegetables. They always had the very best produce . The biggest, most crisp apples, eggplant so fresh, just everything top of the line. Oranges the size of grapefruit. They had a deli and made these fantastic sandwiches along with homemade soups and chowders. Their sandwiches were pretty much made by the pound . Andy loved to stop here when she had a little money and get a Corned Beef and Swiss on rye with spicy mustard. The sandwich was three inches thick and typically took her three days to finish but what a treat! She loved this place. The smells of fresh baked bread, Christmas music playing and the colors of all the vegetables and smells just excited her. The trees were just outside around the corner in a well lit area, allowing for a good inspection. She wandered out and up and down the aisles of fragrant smelling spruce. Danny standing off to the side of the parking lot, totally disinterested. She finally found one she wanted. It was almost seven feet and as full as could be! She called over the attendant and told him this was the one she wanted. He hauled it to the edge of the parking lot and took out a chainsaw, taking off an inch and a half. Fresh cut he said. Just put some sugar in the base , should last a good long time. Danny grudgingly paid a price he found excessive, they put in the back of the pickup and headed home.

Why did you get such a big tree he asked in an angry tone? Because it is pretty and I wanted something pretty in my life . I am sick of laundry, cooking , perverts and dog s**t! It just flowed from her and could not be held back. He said nothing. She had hauled down from the attic the ornaments, lights and paraphernalia earlier in the day. They arrived home and Danny dragged the tree into the house. Andy went and got the stand and the tree skirt. She set it up where she wanted it and asked him to bring the tree so they could fasten it. Really? Now? I had a hard day and I’m tired. Danny please just get it in the stand , I’ll do the rest, she said half pleadingly. He grudgingly did as requested and she was happy enough for tonight. Danny went to play games and talk to the dogs. She made a cup of coffee and sat in front of her tree, visualizing Charlie’s. She plugged in the strings of lights, checking to make sure they were operating. She hated it when one light went out and killed the entire tree. This had happened previously because Danny was so cheap he bought light for fifty cents a string .Those lights always failed. She had secretly been replacing them a few strings at a time. He didn’t miss three or four dollars. She had visions of asking Charlie over to help her with the lights but Danny was off for the next two days and thought better of it, She would attend to it herself.