I slept hard, my ears rang and the layer of saltiness was thick in my mouth when I woke up.
That all went away when I heard the rain firmly beating against the wet gutters. The gray skies will cover the last morning when the crescent and Venus are inches apart from each other.
Just before I woke up, I was sitting at a cold dinner table with a white table cloth. The bright light shined straight down on the sterile cloth. Away from the table only shadows and darkness covered the walls.
I was sitting at the table with a loose fitting t-shirt that was musty and worn. Over my shirt was a cheap fabric suit coat that showed years of use. The lapels were large and it fit like a child wearing his father’s clothes.
Four or five people sat at the table. Two of whom I could recognize. Each person had a large brown grocery bag in front of them. The bags were tightly rolled closed and magic marker was scribbled on the sides.
Each person handed me their bag and I said...
“this is so wonderful … I haven’t received a birthday present in so long.”
We then ate thinly sliced white cake with white frosting. As I ate my cake the members of the party left one at a time. They took their brown bags with them as they departed.
I was left alone at the table with just the plates with half eaten cake on each setting. I stood up from the table and realized I was wearing pajamas under my wrinkled coat.
The walls were still shadowed with only the white reflection from the table Illuminating the room. Everyone had left, but I still thanked the empty room for visiting.
That is when I woke up hard with my ears ringing and my taste salty.
Back in the safety of my home with the October rain falling softly outside.
It’s going to be a rainy commute this morning. Always fun driving when the road is slick and Betty’s tires are balding. Wags, who I have designated my traffic light guardian Angel will get Betty and I safely to the trading office.
Thursday might be a tough day to put the smile on the sun. Take all measures to put yourself in the right position to get this done…
The new phenom on the Blackhawks scored his first NHL goal last night. Announcing the game was a former member of the team. He reminisced of the day he scored his first goal at the old Chicago Stadium.
Time sure has gone by quickly since Eddie Olczyk lit the lamp that night.
LATER IN THE MORNING.
Betty and I raced along a wet 31st street trying to catch the tail end of the green light at 1st avenue.
The light quickly turned yellow with no chance of clearing the intersection.
So I stopped and muttered, “shit, fuck, damn, fuck, fuck!!!”
From the other lane I hear…
“HEY, Hey Jumbo! You know if this light stayed green a little longer… I wouldn’t get the chance to say hello to you!”
I looked over and saw the friendly face of Jerry Owen.
The rest of the ride out to work was peaceful as I was reminded how lucky a man is who has great friends.
