Second Street // Part twenty

     Second Street

      Part Twenty

Charlie apologized to Bud and extended his hand. Bud took his hand and told him not to be too concerned, that guy is a real creep but you just have to go for now. You’re welcomed back, just not today. Charlie thanked him and left for home. Charlie was an easy going guy and he was kind of baffled by what had just happened. He wondered why he had gotten so angry? He smiled at the thought of that creeps teeth on the floor but then felt remorse. The street was dark due to broken street lights. He pulled up the collar on his coat, stuck his hands deep in his pockets, lowered his head and making himself as invisible as he could, made his way home. He was back to his usual calm nature and took a deep breath. Charlie approached his house and found his car blocked in by those damned dealers but just having all the trouble at Bud’s, unlocked his door quietly slipping inside. He lit his tree and a couple candles on the kitchen table. He took off his coat, grabbed a glass of wine and sat down to write. It was too silent for him all of a sudden and he went to Pam’s CD trove. He found someone called Johnny Lang and thought, hell why not. He sat to write and suddenly the CD started playing . He was amazed at the soul full, haunting melodies. Many seemed southern in nature. He was enthralled and wondered just where Pam knew of all this music? She just seemed so well rounded and incredibly smart. Listening to this music brought him to her but yet also brought him back to Buds where this animal had called her “that w***e”. The more he thought the less he cared about busting that guy up. He wrote of the day’s encounters, his thoughts of Pam, Bud, the creep and Andy. He wrote of the kindness of women and their softer hearts. He wrote of the callous behavior of men and the effects it had on women. He also wrote of male friendships, while thinking of Bud, that huge burly guy that watched out for the ones in his life that mattered to him and cared less for those that had an evil streak and would open their mouth just to hurt others, to cause pain and trouble.

Bud picked the creep up off the floor and sat him in a chair. He went and got good sized shot of tequila and handed to the man. The man grabbed the glass and told Bud, I’m gonna kill that son of a b***h the next time I see him or catch him on the street. I’m gonna stick my piece right up under his ribs and give him six reasons to remember me by! Jerry, drink your drink, Bud told him. He did and Bud removed the glass. It was in a flash and Jerry was flat on the floor again, Bud giving him a shot that rocked his world. Again Bud picked him off the floor and sat him back in the chair and got him another tequila. Jerry was not back to the world yet and couldn’t yet see clearly. He reached for the glass and missed by a foot. Take it easy pal, Bud said to him. He slapped his face a couple times trying to get him to focus. Jerry was finally able to see the glass well enough to take it. Bud pulled a chair in front of Jerry and sat face to face. Listen pal, you’re not going to do anything of the kind. You’re not going to even think of that guy again. If you do you’re going to have me to deal with. Do you hear me clearly you low life? Jerry began, That Mother, and before he could speak one more word was on the floor again, Bud dropping him from a sitting position. You get my drift, Bud said, leaning over him? Jerry was awfully groggy from being beaten half the afternoon and raised his hand as to say, no more, I get it. Bud helped him to his feet and this time walked him to the door. Jerry was unsteady on his feet, Bud leading him to the sidewalk. I don’t want to see your face in here for awhile, Bud told him, you get me? Jerry again raised his hand in submission. Bud closed the door behind him and went behind the bar. He picked up his phone and called a cop friend of his that was currently on duty. Hey pal, how ya doing, came the response from the other end. Listen, you know that scumbag Jerry? You mean the drug dealer, came the response? Yeah that’s the one Bud said. He was just in here causing trouble. I know he’s holding and probably has a piece on him. Just wondering if you’re close by? He’s a bit off his feed right at the moment, Bud said, just got his a*s kicked and is missing some of his teeth. There was a loud laugh from the other end of the line. I’ll take a drive by the cop said but the first round is on you! Sure pal, Thanks a lot. It was just a couple minutes before Bud saw the cruiser pull by and stop a short ways down the block and Jerry being loaded into the back of the car.

Charlene called her mother. Mom? I am scheduled for surgery next week. So soon, Andy replied? Well it’s kind of been scheduled awhile now but didn’t want you fretting. I’m just in such pain all the time, even simply walking. I need to feel better. I know baby, it has been hard on you since that accident. Remember, mommas there for you. Would you like to come over for supper? We can talk. Oh mom, I would love to but we have some Christmas shopping to do but I’ll see you on Christmas Eve. Need my cookies you know! Ok love you be safe and see you soon.

Danny wasn’t home yet so Andy opened her computer looking for messages from Jim. There they were. There were some pictures and several letters. Jim was also fond of cooking and had a habit of sending her recipes which she enjoyed because every time she tried one it always turned out so well and tasty. Jim was asking her if she had made any headway in her conversations and had thought further about leaving? She smiled at the thought of leaving. She found him on messenger and they chatted. She told him of the surgery to come soon and that she had to be at home for her daughter. Jim completely understood. On they spoke for almost an hour, the sound of the car in the driveway signaled the end of their conversation. Andy had made some chicken pot pies and popped them in the oven. Danny opened the door his little wagon train of dogs circling at his feet, around and around they went. He went to the kitchen and said when is dinner? About a half hour, Andy replied. Would you take the dogs out, she asked? Come he shouted and off they went.

It was around five thirty and Pam was making her way to the Mall to get some last minute gifts. She still hadn’t gotten anything for Charlie and was kind of stifled as to what to get for him. She moved from store to store, picking up little gifts for her family and friends, still at a loss about Charlie. She found her way into Borders Bookstore and wandered from aisle to aisle. She adored bookstores and spent quite a bit of time in them. She loved the arm chairs and sofas set up for reading and often took advantage of the quite comfort, spending hours, lost in many different places and caught up in fantasies. Pam had a wide variety of interests. She often spent hours in the cookbook section, finding hundreds of new recipes. She loved poetry and romance novels. Pam was definitely all woman. She found a new cook book  that she had been looking for. The chef, Fabio Viviani was fairly new to the world of media and writing cookbooks but his recipes were so simple and ever so good. She had tried a few and found she liked them very much. She brought her purchase to the register and paid. She was still at a loss for Charlie but she had most of the day tomorrow to come up with the answer. Pam headed for her car, carrying her packages in her left hand. The parking lot was well lit but still she was wordly and wary of her surroundings. She was almost to her car when suddenly a man came from behind and attempted to take her purse. She wheeled around and the mugger ripped her necklace from her neck. She pulled a can of mace from her right hand coat pocket and sprayed this criminal right square in the face. She caught him with one hell of a dose and he went down quick. He was covering his face and was on his knees. She drew back her foot and gave him a hard shot to the balls, driving him further into the ground and writhing in pain. She unlocked her car, placing her packages inside and removed her cell phone from her purse, keeping a wary eye on her attacker. She reached down and retrieved her necklace while dialing 911. It was only minutes before the mall security showed up and local police to follow. They placed this jerk in handcuffs and threw him in the cruiser. The cop took down her information and brief description of the event. As she explained, the cop let out this laugh that was mocking of the criminal. He told her she did wonderfully and more women should be as prepared as she was. He handed her his business card and asked that she come down to the station to fill out a report. She took his card and told him she would tomorrow. She thanked him and got in her car and drove off.