If in fact I really was dead, then I had missed the dying bit ... which, I thought, was not altogether a bad bargain. My only regret was I hadn't gotten around to doing much in my very short life. Had I know that I was going to check out this soon I would have burned the candle at both ends with more enthusiasm.
My first impulse was to examine my hands. I have no idea why ... I just turned them over looking for some sort of proof of life ... or not. My finger tips were getting cold.
" Sorry kid " said Ric, pulling his chair in close to mine, " I thought you knew ... you showed up right on time. Actually the bus, was running a little early ... you never knew what hit you. And Harleigh ... well suicides often run late. They can't make up their minds ... it's a big step."
" I don't feel dead " I said knowing full well that I had no idea what dead felt like.
Ric pulled the Zippo lighter out of his pocket. He polished it with a cocktail napkin and put it in front of me. " This lighter saved my life " he said. " I'd like to tell you it was war related, dodging bullets on the front line, bravely leading my battalion ... but, in fact, it was about a dame. "
On cue Randy arrived with a fresh Sapphire and Tonic for Ric. The way she squeezed his lime and slowly swizzled his gin bordered on pornographic. As she sacheted away, her glorious posterior told the tale.
"Say no more" I said to Ric, " Who could blame you."
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| Dial 'L' for Lounge Chapter 11 "Backside Story" |
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