Thursday, May 3, 2007

Prelude to a Kiss - Final Chapter - The Grifter

The Line, the Witch and the Mystery Loaf I awoke with a startle as the bell rang. I was in the nurse’s office with an ice bag over my eye. It felt as though my face had been caved in. For all I knew it had been. I looked at my watch and realized it was lunch. I was starving since I didn't have time for breakfast. A day with out my chocolate frosted sugar bombs is like a day with out a pulse. I lamented missing my daily fructose intake, but it was lunch now. I stood up and gathered my books and headed towards the cafeteria. Awe, crap. The line was ridiculous today. I must have been 725th in line of 725. Fortunately for me, the line was moving quickly. Oddly though, students were leaving from the line in droves. Is this the break in the storm I'd been waiting for? Will my luck finally turn around? Huzzah! I'll be able to eat at my leisure without running late and rushing to finish. Just ten more people to go. Oh, I can't wait, what's it going to be? Turkey and gravy? Perhaps cheese burgers. The suspense was killing me. I steadily approached the front of the line when suddenly this viciously attractive, yet extremely annoying female cut me off. “What is this crap?” She was referring to....yes! Turkey and gravy! “What now miss Petager?” asked the lunch lady. “There is a freaking hair in my freaking gravy! Shouldn't you be wearing a hair net?!” “I am, Miss Petager.” “Then how did this freaking hair get in my food, Mrs. Magilacutty?” “My apologies Miss Petager.” I was mortified as I look on at this belligerent girl. She had the gall to yell at a staff person? Talk about ballsy. Then again, she is the captain of the Cheer squad, not to mention the Mayor's daughter. Brittany Petager, the class rep and resident bitch. The shame was that she was so popular. Guys wanted her and girls wanted to be her. Quite a sad lot of students, I'm among. “This is disgusting”, she went on. “I could have this whole school shut down!” “Let me get you another helping.” “God, no! I refuse to eat this slop.” She slammed the tray down, spilling its contents onto the silver tray rail. I looked down at my shirt to see gravy and turkey bits spattered on it. I should be angry but, the way my day had gone thus far, I was just too tired to care. That is until.... “Sorry kid.” “What?” “We're all out of Today's special.” My bottom lip began to quiver. No...No, this...this can't be. “Sorry kid, all that's left is meat loaf.” By the gods, meat loaf? Anything but that. But it was too late. She had already plopped it onto my tray. I moped out of the line and off to find a seat. My lunch period had joined the rest of my day in room 5643, section J, cavern 21 of Hell. I sat staring at the pile of grayish-brown meat like substance. I thought of taking my meat-pile and ramming it down the throat of miss health inspector general and watching her choke. Then, sensing that Brittany was the type who, when she had kids, would probably eat them; I just walked to the trash and deposited the remains of what once looked like a collection of mistreated farm animals. I left the cafeteria in dazed hunger. I've got a buck; I'll just get a bag of Cheetos. At least I know what's in those. I think. The Remains of this Day Just when I thought my luck had turned. It was just another case of life kicking me square in the nuts and laughing hysterically! I don't know if I can take any more today. I had hoped that the turkey and gravy lunch special was a light at the end of a very long tunnel. It turns out that it was a freight train named Brittany Petager. Alas, my day was at an end. I could finally put this whole fiasco called life behind me. Tomorrow was a new day and more importantly, it was Saturday. All that was left was my walk home. Why walk home? I just needed to be alone with my thoughts. Besides, I didn't need to be reminded of the day’s earlier follies. It was a five mile walk, but I didn't care. I needed the fresh air. My walk started out with a bit of a ruckus as students that had their drivers’ license, peeled out of the parking lot and left trails of school papers and the thick smell of burning rubber behind them. I continued on as the sounds of school life drifter into the distance and was replaced by the calming cool breeze of an afternoon sky. A sky that grew darker as I moved along. Oh cruel fates, have I not endured enough this day? Have you no pity upon this weary soul? Will you give this king of ill will no rest, though I wear my crown of woe upon a troubled brow? Nay, the fates be mischievous and unjust this day, friends. I walked on as the rain began to fall and the wind blew with increased fervor. I pulled up the collar on my coat as the cold rain stung my neck. It was cold and miserable and down-trodden and bleak. However, I press on; to home and to closure. For this day could not die quick enough. I was soaked to the bone as I made my way down the avenue. The rain fell steady as the cars grew few and far between. My home was on the outskirts of town in a small gated community. The road was wide and well traveled. Today, it was quiet. I needed that as I anticipated my home coming and lamented the day’s events, I had a vision. I saw a flood of shame, washing away my last nerve and laying waste to me. Then a ray of sunlight dried me out and warmed me as I lay basking in its kindness. Just as my mind cleared, a wave of water enveloped me, kicked up by that damn trash truck. Which brings me full circle back to where this tale began? What few dry spots I had remaining on my body were fully drenched. The fates are real assholes. I trudged on as I began to make a squishing sound with every step. I wiped away the rain from my face and thought this was how I was going to die; sopping wet and miserable. Then it happened. When I thought all had been lost; all had been washed away, I saw....her. She stood there in the pouring rain, as though waiting for something; her black umbrella protecting her from the elements that even now ravaged me. She was truly how God intended beauty to be defined. She wore a heavy rain coat that looked a size or two too big. Her hair was a dark chocolate brown that cascaded to the middle of her back. Her eyes, oh how they could sink ships and bring kings to their knees. They were the clearest of aqua blue and pierced right through me. She looked up and made eye contact. I could not escape her gaze. I was lost in it; awash in a sea of aqua blue passion. "Hey." By the gods....she spoke to me. "Rough day, huh?" She had no idea. "Ya, you could say that." "Wanna share my umbrella?" "Um...y...ya, could I?" "Sure", she said as she flashed me a smile. Though the clouds poured out their fury, I had my ray of sunlight. We started our walk and she moved closer. "I want to make sure you don't get any wetter." "I don't see how that's possible." She laughed. "I suppose not." I paused and said, "Thanks for helping with my books this morning." "You're welcome", she said. "I'm sorry about the day you had" How could she have known? Was she following me? "Everyone was talking about how bad your luck was today." I sighed, "Everyone, huh?" "Yah." she replied. "I hope your day gets better, I mean, I guess it has to 'cause it’s over, right?" "Yah, but it’s been getting better ever since I got under this umbrella." What the hell did I just say?! She laughed, "ahh, your sweet." I couldn't believe what my mouth was saying. Shut up you fool. Then I realized my heart was doing the talking. She just listened to me as I began to tell her of the first day I laid eyes on her. She laughed and replied where appropriate. I never noticed, but my feet weren't even on the ground. They never touched the sidewalk the rest of the way home. It was at that very moment that I felt her head lay onto my shoulder. I was stunned as I felt her arm wrap around mine and tighten. I held the umbrella as we walked the rest of the way home in the rain. Together.

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