Second Street // Part Twenty Five

                Second Street

    Part Twenty Five

Charlie woke the day after Christmas and once again Pam was gone, having slipped out in the wee hours of the morning. Again, Pam had left Charlie a quick note that read, Honey, had to leave for work but look so forward to our upcoming weekend in the city. See you in three days, so get your bag packed! Pam leaving her lipstick kiss for him. Charlie hadn’t been awake a half hour yet and already was lonely and missing her. They had made love half the night and her scent was all over him, he thought to himself, maybe I won’t shower for three days. He made some coffee and wondered what he would do with himself for the next few days. He wandered from window to window peering out, hoping something spectacular was going to happen. He was to be disappointed. Charlie meandered to the kitchen table and sat to drink his coffee, his mind wandering. He took his journal from the shelf, placing it on the table. He was a bit hungry and opened the refrigerator and peered in to see what he could eat. There was a bit of leftovers from yesterday but not much. He laughed to himself and thought of Pam. Charlie took out his loaf of bread and made some toast. He poured another cup of coffee and brought his toast to the table where he opened his journal and started writing. He was careful not to stain the pages. Charlie wrote for over an hour without hesitation, dropping his thoughts on the pages like raindrops falling in the spring. He was incredibly prolific this day. His coffee and toast long done, he could not contain himself. He felt as this book was enchanting him, holding him spellbound and captive. It was two hours before the spell was broken and he finished, closing the book and returning it to the shelf. He glanced at his watch and could not believe that much time had passed. He felt a relief beneath his skin, tensions drained, breathing softly and rhythmically, not wound in harried and scattered thoughts. Suddenly he was at peace and restored.

Charlie spent the morning cleaning up from the past few days. He gleaned the meat from the bones of the turkey, throwing the carcass in a trash bag while condensing his other leftovers into much smaller containers. Suddenly his refrigerator was empty again, which suited him just fine. He had no want of the responsibility to make meals on any regular basis. He certainly wanted no rotting food or having to dispose of it. It was suddenly noon and took him twenty minutes to finish cleaning. He put on one of the CD’s Pam had purchased for him. It was a collaboration of Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton. It apparently was a tour recording and had some of the finest music he had ever heard. Voodoo Chile, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Can’t Find My Way Home. He was amazed and could hardly believe his ears. To hear such music once was not going to be enough, he hit replay several times, reveling in the creation of these men, these musicians. The ease with which they played and sang, apparently never seeing a hundred thousand people but simply doing this for themselves, never mindful of crowds, only those on stage. He was enamored. Charlie had never been this at ease being alone. He thought, maybe , Pam was a witch and had cast a spell on him. If so he was happy with that. Let that magic continue. He was comfortable with himself and played more CD’s, and was just as amazed with these others she had gifted him. He couldn’t believe all he had missed and wished to make up for it. He would seek help from his witch, who would gladly grant favor. Charlie poured himself a large glass of wine and turned his attentions to his student’s papers. He was thrilled. They were full of inspiration and hope. There was little expression of greed and malice towards others. He was well aware of those that would think like that. They were generally spoiled beyond belief and never given one second of attention or affection. There were nannies, maids, housekeepers and women from Brazil hired to clean house and ending up being the support of the young ones.  Parents unaware, while the child seeks nurture and found solace in the help. Charlie knew their souls were tortured and would take so very long to heal if ever. He was fair with them knowing from where they came. He tried to nudge them back to normalcy. He would write differing comments, giving them options to consider and praying they would choose an alternative. Charlie wished all his students would prosper and thrive although he knew this would never be the case. He was almost done with the reviews and put them away for the afternoon. He poured another glass and drank it down. Reaching into the fridge, he managed a turkey sandwich, with stuffing, cranberry and mayo.

Charlie’s day seemed to fly by and he was thankful. It must have been close to five pm, when he saw Andy out with the dogs. He quickly put on his coat and went out to meet her. As he approached , Babette started yapping and Andy had to quiet her. She obeyed and changed her noisy encounter to a disturbing constant sniffing. Hi, Charlie said to Andy with a big grin how was your Christmas? Andy returned the grin and said, Oh Christmas was fine and how about you and your girl? Charlie told her, it was simply wonderful. Listen I want to go to the music store at the mall tomorrow, would you be interested in going with me? We could stop and have lunch, on me he told her? Why Charlie, that would be wonderful, what time did you have in mind? I was thinking around eleven if that would be good for you, he replied? Of course, just perfect, Andy said shooing Babette away from Charlie, knowing how irritating this little dog could be. Ok then, see you ay eleven, Charlie said heading back home. Andy loved that she could get away from this dreary old place, every once in awhile. Charlie was a kind of savior, a voice she could hear and listen to without knowing what was going to be said next. That one she could express herself to and not be met with indifference or anger. These few trips to the mall had meant a great deal to her and it did not hurt to be in the company of a good looking man.

The evening seemed to go by quickly for Charlie. He had some leftovers, emptying the refrigerator. He found a novel he hadn’t read in a very long time, he took a bottle of red, his glass and sat in front of his tree, feet up on the table, candles burning brightly. He opened to the first chapter and was immediately propelled into this write. This was his favorite author, Leon Uris and was about struggles between the Arabs and Jews in the late 1800’s. It basically was a tale of two men on the same road but with differing journey’s and how their lives intersected. It was called “The Haj” and was simply a marvelous piece of work. Charlie drank and read late into the night, his candles burning low. His mind was at peace and his heart calm. He had not read Uris in some time and had forgotten how this author brought you quickly and fully into his web, holding you until he let you go. Charlie thought how he would love to write like this.

Charlie had fallen asleep on his sofa, the book open in his lap, his candles had lost the battle with time and had gone. He stood up and stretched, feeling a bit sore, that sofa not being the most comfortable, actually the floor was preferable. He decided he had better shower, seeing how he had company for the day. He let that hot water run over him hoping it would remove some of the knots left by the sofa. He shaved and dressed casually. It was only ten, so he made some coffee and took his journal from the shelf and started writing. He wrote of the book and the feelings it stirred in him. He wrote of the day to come, again this journal comforting him and he knew not why. It was almost eleven and there was a soft knock at his door. It was Andy. Come in while I get my coat, Charlie said. Andy had on a full length coat, the collar pulled up high and a scarf. It’s a tad nippy this morning she said, my thermometer read two degrees. Charlie smiled and said, We’ll  live. He donned his coat and opened the door for Andy. He locked the house and opened the car door for her. Andy reached over and unlocked his door. He slid behind the wheel and they were on their way. Andy asked how his cooking encounter had come out. You would have been proud, he said to her! I followed all your instructions to the letter and it was perfect. At least I think so, he added. Pam had fallen asleep and I did it all by myself, at least most of it. Pam had three helpings so it must have been edible to others.

Charlie and Andy arrived at the mall and headed into the post Christmas chaos. Thousands carrying multiple packages all headed to the return window. Charlie said to Andy, this so ridiculous. All these folks given the wrong size, something they didn’t like, all the time and effort to buy it, wrap it, sit and give it only to have it brought back the next day. It is kind of mind numbing when you think of it. Andy said, people these days don’t pay much attention to others around them. They don’t pay attention to the lives of those around them, if they did no one would have returns. They came to the music store, Charlie engrossed in his conversation almost walked right past, Andy steering him through the door. The name of this place was Tower records and was massive in size. There must have been millions of CD’s, records and tapes. A staff member appeared and asked if he could point them in any particular direction. Charlie explained to the man that he was new to this music world and told him of the music he had been given. The staffer smiled and nodded, leading them to the blues section. He waved his hand over multiple aisles and said, if there is anything in particular you need I’ll be right around the corner to help. Charlie was overwhelmed and it was plain to Andy he could use some guidance. She said to him, Charlie, how about some variations. Different artists and types of music? Ok, he replied, lead the way. Andy found her way to Santana, Pink Ffloyd, Ray Lamotagne and some older Elton John. I think you’ll enjoy these, she told him. Charlie took his purchases to the register and paid. Thank you for this Charlie said to her. Andy smiled and said, my pleasure, I just hope you’re happy with what I picked. Are you hungry, Charlie asked? I am came the reply. Well, where would you care to eat, Charlie asked. Andy cocked her head and said , I really like our last time here. How about El Torrito again, or would that be too much for you? Hell no, that would be just fine, I love their food. They made their way to the end of the mall and entered the darkened restaurant. They were about to ask the hostess for a table when Carmen came with menus and said right this way. Charlie smiled at her and received a big grin in return.