A.G.E's Joint

The Lincoln turned into the freshly paved lot, white sunlight glinting off the alabaster curbs. A paving job made just for him. Yeah, right. Pulling in next to the door, the handicap placard found it’s home on the mirror. The permit was good for another four months, so might as well take advantage of it. That stopped him in his tracks. Had it already been eight months since Amy had passed? Twenty six long months of dialysis and chemo appointments had taken a toll, time he couldn’t account for. Now there is a chance to catch up somewhat. He thought she would approve of him moving on. He was reasonably healthy and probably had another ten or so years left in him. There really wasn’t any reason not to. The plane was due at six, airport Gods willing. They had been online buddies for years, trading insults and confidences through each others' medical hardships. Every now and then a fantasy in his mind would play. They would drive up to an isolated cabin where she would ...

Barry White and Lisa Stansfield bubbled out of the sound system, the up beat tempo beckoning the grazing flock to graze the commercial manna laid before them. Fancy frocks draped elegantly across impossibly proportioned mannequins. Sparkly, overpriced trinkets behind glass cases. Everything in the tableau designed to encourage wallets to emerge and cash to disappear. Kari smiled.It was no different than any art gallery, look admiringly but don't touch. A place where ideas were birthed and raised. It had been a trying day and this was her therapy. Her pace matched the music and she was ready for a sensory overload. The Fragrance Bar with its booths of sublet spaces, spanned the wide mall opening. The aisles of the store were laid out so no shoppers could escape the pitches and smells. She shrugged. Perfume wasn't her bag, but it was a good appetizer for spring dresses and hats. Leaning on the counter to her left was a pale, petite woman dressed all in black. Upon seeing h...

"Are you all right in there, Daddy?" I was in a local department store trying to purchase trousers.  These two older ladies were helping their much old father get a couple of pairs.  The old guy was a bit cranky about trying stuff on, but followed orders.  Kind of like a mom with the negative mirror image of a ten year old kid.  "Go ahead and take it all off" "Oh, I can keep the shirt on!" "Well, yes. You can.  Just hurry up.  We've got to meet Mary at La Madeline in twenty minutes." It turned out that it didn't take that long for them make the decision, which was good.  I need that fitting room for my stuff.  I am not a clothes horse.  I only go shopping when it is time to replace something.  Like a pair off dress pants.  I always go into the store with my rose colored glasses hoping I'll find something that fits and is suitable for work quickly.  But that never happens.  I am not an easy person to fit....