Ain’t it always the case.
I’m bored as fuck. Life’s like that. So I fill my coat pockets with cans of beer. Drink as I cruise the streets. Stopping to look in windows that aren’t obstructed. And ain’t it always the case? You get caught on the last one.
The whole night going good. Then blammo. Out of nowhere. It’s over. Some fucking do-gooder concerned citizen. Prodding into affairs that ain’t their own. Acting tough. And as soon as they start yelling. You know you’re sunk.
Like tonight. I’m standing there in the darkness. Behind these shrubs. Tall ones. I recognize the scent. Spruce. I convince myself I’m hidden here. From the quiet streets. Prying eyes. Even pedestrians.
And boy oh boy. You can imagine. I’m having a real good time. Beer in hand. Peering through a curtain free basement window. Watching this big fat fuck bastard standing in his bathroom. Shirt off. Shadows cast from a bare bulb above his head.
Makes his tits look extra saggy I whisper.
I lean in a little closer. Confident the light indoors hides me in it’s reflection. He picks up a can of shaving cream. Fills an empty palm. Then grabs a blue plastic razor. Disposable variety. Holds it in his hand. He lathers both shoulders. He draws the cheap razor upwards. Flinging the used foam in the basin shadowed by his gut.
Then it happens. All the peace and quiet is interrupted. Some fucker yelling. I can’t make out what he’s saying. But I can’t ignore it either. I turn around. Towards the street. No one in either direction. Fucking bizarre. Oh well. Maybe I’m going nuts? I am staring in people’s windows after all.
But that can’t be. I’m in control. So I hone in the noise like a dog. Look up. Ah ha. There’s the source. Some god damned kook on a wrought iron terrace built for one. He’s got both his fists wrapped around the railing. Shaking with anger. And the only detail I can make out in the dark. Is the small orange glow of a cigarette between the knuckles of his left hand.
When I look up at him. The son a bitch gets even hotter. Jumping up and down. Flailing his arms. I worry about structural stability while he yells profanities. Calling me demented. A pervert. The complete line of slander. I’m hurt. I’m not doing anything lewd. I’m only stealing a moment.
And there’s no way I’m going to stand here. Take this bullshit. I’ve got dignity. Self-respect I think it’s called. So I gulp my beer. Then yell up hey buddy, mind your own damn business. Like ain’t you got a dog that needs sodomizing?
Well shit. That does the trick. Hit a soft spot I suppose. Because he kicks the posts. Rattles the rails. Thrashes his head back and forth. And without noticing. He accidently crushes the cigarette between his fingers. I watch it tumble through the air. And I forget about him. The yelling. How guilty I look.
Until I hear those words. The ones I’ve heard so many times before. The ones that hit like a knife. And break me from my trance. I called the cops you fucking piece of shit! Uh oh. God damn it! I have to get out of here. Find a way to get even with this lowlife another time. I know where he lives.
It seems like he must have a dog I can poison?
Remember that for later. Because if he isn’t lying I’m running out of time. I chug the rest of my beer. Then run in the direction opposite of the main street. Down a smaller side one. It’s dark. I feel safe. But I don’t let false security stop me. I need to make some ground.
About a block away. My lungs catch fire. My head is pounding. I’m not cut out for this kind of exercise. But I hear a siren close by. So I double my effort. Nausea mounting. Huff and puff in overdrive. There’s a park a block away from here. I’ll be free and clear if can make it.
You can do it you old fuck!
And I do. Slipping on the loose gravel pathway as I enter. But not falling. Rounding a bench to dive in the grass. Hidden from the street by a high thick row of hedges surrounding the park. Even if the cops start looking for me. They’ll never see me from the street. Too lazy to get out of their car.
So I roll over on my back. Check my pockets. Grab a beer. It explodes a little. I gulp half of it. Drop my head down into the grass. Stare up into the night. The beam of a flashlight waves above my head. I freeze. I hear the static of their radio. And hope they mistake me for a lump in the ground.
The light passes through the park. I stay still. It feels like forever. My blood’s running cold with fear. Heart rate hitting the roof. Smiling wide. Boredom no longer a concern.