A.G.E's Joint

The small woman stood in front of the mirror, studying what she had become. Stronger. Still standing. The reflection of headlights in the bedroom mirror startled her like it had so many nights. Elena laughed and twirled a copper strand of hair into a braid. The news of Gregory’s death came in a headline she almost didn’t read. They called him generous. Visionary. A loss to the business world.  Should she dance? Trip the light fantastic on the news? She didn’t feel relief. Not exactly. Death, especially a natural one, was too easy. Too clean. Gregory never saw the eyes of those he hurt. It was all beneath him.  The way he smiled, like he owned the air you breathed. The way he touched her shoulder in meetings. The threats. The promises. She went to Julian after the weekend at the hotel. It was more of a confession of her sin rather than Gregory’s  Averted eyes told her all she needed to know. Power protects itself. While Julan knew she had been wronged, he wouldn’t offer a ...

  The rain finally stopped. Several stray droplets land on the ragged man as he straightens the tail on his shirt. It’s another day in paradise. Geez, what a night. Asshole pissed all over his sign, so sidewalk cruising is out. The shelter kicked Mark out when he plowed the bastard’s fat face into the wall afterward. He couldn’t blame them. Rules are rules, you know. He snagged a cup of coffee as he left, so it wasn’t a complete loss. And he was still sober. Story of his life. Get a scheme set up working the saps willing to throw a dollar and some jerk screws it up for you.  The pole sounds like an alarm as the purse lands next to his head. A woman is screaming to prepare for his funeral. A bunny haired black girl sat on the wall watching. Maybe her daughter?   She was the only sane one. Crazy lady said Jesus wasn’t going to save the world, it was too far gone. That was a twist. Preachers mention repentance was the way out, but not this one. A bored ...