The Exciting Days of Charles Baxter 3

Day: 3: The next day

I awoke this morning at half passed eight. The lights did not come on until noon. By then my milk had spoiled.

I attempted to dispose of the churned milk. However, in my attempts to transfer it into a bag it burst out onto the carpet in the living room. After several attempts to expel the foul odor I finally gave in and vacated the apartment. I figured I’d take this unfortunate event as opportunity to experience more of the local flavor.

Upon making my first strides in the neighborhood. I came across a lovely fruit vendor, selling bags of oranges on the corner. While a language barrier was present, I was able to negotiate a sizable bag for ten dollars.

Proceeding south. Passing out oranges to ever person I passed. Whether they were a transient or not, I made it a point to let ever local I met that I was part of this community. I was now an Angelino. Just like them I too am drifting in the sea of the unknown. Trying to make a buck and to make sense of this crazy world. This brought a smile to my face as I passed the last orange to a small child skating by. I am unsure if he was allergic to citron, as he soon threw the orange at the back of my head.

 I spent diner time, seven pm, till midnight inside a small twenty-four-hour diner. I only had enough from my allotted budget for a coffee and some eggs. During my time I read through the pages of my magazine and found a delightful recipe for Steak and fries.

Promptly at midnight I was given my check from my waitress Anne. She was a woman who could smell bull excrement from a mile away. And she scared me. Anne made it clear to me that my asking of my eggs be soft boiled for four minutes was enough to constitute a chilling exchange with every refill.

On my way out, I saw a waitress on the opposite side of the diner. She had a paler complexion, short sun kissed brown hair, and two gloriously green spheres in her skull. She was helping an older gentleman with his order. A small coffee and two soft boiled eggs. I was frozen in place. My soul ensnared by every panting laugh she gave to his dad jokes.

Never had I wished so to be a man of such age. I would have fought through all the arthritic pain, all the uncomfortable nerves and all the strokes. Just to be in her presence. To be in her warm embrace.

     Anne later asked me to either order a proper meal or leave. So, I left. I said farewell to my chance with the goddess and retreated to my fortress.

     Tonight, I will collect my thoughts, and I will prep for the interview tomorrow. I have had this position locked down, like a hare in a trap, but I still need to be up on the bright. I am ready for the future.

Reviews

[LouisFriend]

Few spelling errors here and there but nothing that stands out as a cause for an urgent edit. Your story is very genuine and earthy,it makes me want to comfort this lonely “Charles Baxter”. His loneliness and lack of confidence in himself to venture out after what he wants is stifling and heartbreaking. “Charles Baxter” and perhaps his creator are one who lack protection and nurturing, thus why the reader is left in a state of melancholy because of how heart wrenching it is to be “Charles Baxter”. Your story makes me very sad but it is one that is all too real and genuine. Keep up the good work.