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- By: DJ Geribo
- In: A.L.L.
- Published:
The first time I met her she was removing wallpaper from our soon to be living room. She towered over my 5’ tall mom while I hid behind, hoping she wouldn’t notice me and find me offensive in my shyness. I made my way outside to check out our new neighborhood. Her grandson, a year older than my 5 years, took it upon himself to pee in front of me, on the sidewalk outside the apartment we would in a few short weeks be moving into. Not used to seeing a boy’s penis, I started to cry and immediately shared this vision with my mom, who was inside talking to Mrs. Van A., standing in the hallway while the steam machine that removed layers of wallpaper moistened the entire living room.
To be continued...
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- By: DJ Geribo
- In: A.L.L.
- Published:
The woman, often mistaken for a man mostly because of the ever-present overalls, paired her ensemble with a low-heeled pump. Those would remove all doubt as to her sexual gender. Or one might assume the lady preferred a more androgenous look. But it was more likely, she just didn’t give a damn about how she looked and simply dressed for comfort. Her minimalist wardrobe also showed a penchant for saving time – she was a busy woman. By wearing the same overalls every day, she never had to take time to coordinate a matching outfit such as a blouse and skirt, not to mention the ironing that would be involved. By wearing the overalls, she was ready to paint, wallpaper, fix a leaky faucet, or repair a cracked floor board. With more than 20 triple-decker buildings under her financial umbrella, there was no time for nylons that could snag and run, or fingernails that could break or hair that needed spray to stay in place, which was most likely why she always wore hers in a French twist, away from her face and neck with no chance of it getting in her way.
To be continued...
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- By: DJ Geribo
- In: A.L.L.
- Published:
Distracted while planning a fool-proof and speedy suicide, Eva never noticed everyone who was enjoying the view and the cool breezes on a hot, late July afternoon suddenly leave the area, en masse, almost running to their vehicles and driving off.
And then she saw. Standing at her car, her faded blue 12-year old Toyota Corolla, was a policeman, writing a ticket. A God-damn ticket. Barely able to pay her rent for a two-bedroom apartment, a ticket was definitely not in her budget. She walked as if to the gas-chamber, would there be a final meal? And up to the man in blue.
“Is this your car?” He didn’t look at her but continued in his mission.
“Yes, why am I getting a ticket?”
“There’s no parking here after 4pm.” He lifted his right hand and using the pen as a pointer gestured in the direction of the sign on a pole stuck in the sand. He finished writing the ticket and tore it off the pad, handing it to Eva. He could probably do this in his sleep, she thought. Still no eye contact.
Eva didn’t reach for the ticket. She turned to face the ocean. She was back to planning.
“Maybe I’ll just drive my car into the ocean.” She wasn’t sure if she said it out loud or if it was just another idea that could work like ‘How to Commit Suicide #5 – Drive your car into the ocean.’ She turned toward the policeman and finally met his eyes. They were a bright blue, kind and concerned. He searched hers for answers. A tear spilled out of the corner of her left eye and slid down her face, stopping at the corner of her mouth. She reached toward the ticket just as it was pulled away and torn up.
“Don’t do that. Stay as long as you want.” She watched him get back into his cruiser and drive slowly away. Eva took one last look at the ocean and the sun peeking out from behind a cotton ball cloud. She got into her Corolla and drove home.
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- By: DJ Geribo
- In: A.L.L.
- Published:
No man was worth it, she told herself more than once. And then like an earthquake where one building after another crumbles to the ground, her life began to break off in huge chunks, starting with Jeremy leaving her after three years of a mostly solid relationship. They had their differences like any couple. But he was a cheater – always was, always would be. She knew, deep down, it was a matter of time before his eye would wander and he would find a new dessert that he just had to have a bite of. And now she had to find a roommate since she could not afford the rent on her secretary’s salary. His leaving meant she had to place an ad and interview people to rent the 2nd bedroom. In other words, it was creating work for her that she didn’t want like when someone hits your car that you were not responsible for but it is a big inconvenience because you are without a vehicle while it is being repaired just because you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Jeremy just packed a bag and then a few days later got a friend to help him move a few pieces of furniture. Done and gone. And she had to clean up the mess he left behind, mostly the broken pieces of her heart. This was followed by a falling out with a friend she had a disagreement with where they both said things they didn’t mean but needed to say. And then, of course, her father was dying.
To be continued....
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- By: DJ Geribo
- In: A.L.L.
- Published:
She stood looking out at the ocean, still, the gentle rippling along the shore, the horizon hazy, distant, hypnotic in its monotonous regularity. Just walking in didn’t appeal to her. Maybe finding a higher precipice and jumping off would suffice. And she was sure she would jump since high places always beckoned her to the edge. Like an accident you come upon that you don’t want to see but can’t stop yourself from looking at, one misstep and she would plunge to her death. That was the point, after all, so shying away from that choice didn’t make sense. She was, though, looking for something that offered a faster result. She didn’t want time to think and she knew that once she jumped she would regret it all the way down before her body hit the ragged ocean rocks below. No, it had to be quick. Maybe throwing a handful of pills in her mouth and drinking water fast would do it. Pills, what kind of pills? A bottle of aspirin? Would that even work? She was sure she needed something stronger.
To be continued....