Prescriptions – 6

Thomas was this obnoxious guy. Tall, skinny and lanky. His hair was that long wavy, dirty-blond hair that you associate with surfers. But he wasn’t the least bit tan. Even living here, along the beach, in the California. Every time he spoke, he had to make some erratic hand gesture to go along with his point, which always ended with this annoying smile. The type you want to punch in the mouth. Especially to stop his incessant laughing.

The thing was, he was popular and I hated him for it.

Here’s this guy, like us, inflicted with a terminal illness, enjoying his life like nothing happened. Not once acknowledging the dilemma we were in, except for when he takes his pills. And when he does, everyone just pauses. Allowing him his time. Some even following along. All he has to do is drop that stupid grin and the conversation stops. then he pulls out his pill box. Grabs some water bottle. Pops a pill. Downs the water. The whole time, everyone is quiet. Up to the point he wipes his mouth and reveals that fucking grin. And everything’s back to normal.

If I weren’t so bitter, I’d realize everyone needed happiness. And this is what he provided. Almost his job. A jester among the lepers. But I didn’t need that.

“Welcome welcome,” Thomas shouted, tossing us a rope.

Helen caught it and pulled our dink next to his ship. His crew pulled us parallel and held it steady for us to get on board. Thomas held out his hand and Helen got on board.

“Hot damn,” he shouted, as he pulled her on board. “You’re going to be popular.”

He slapped her on the ass when she walked by. She flinched and gave a little hop. As I would imagine, she shot him a glance. From where I was standing, I could only see the side of her face. But I swore, she had a girlish smile.

Thomas followed close behind her, laughing.

I was still on the boat.

The deck hands pulled me up.

I watched Helen go up the bridges. Ship to ship, each one bigger than the one before. Like giant odd shaped footsteps. That led up the a house, the cruise ship.

“You should hurry up before you lose her.”

That’s all I remember the deck hands saying. And the thing was, they were right. I already did.

Catching Up

It’s been awhile since we hung out. How have you been?

Good? I hope so. But you do seem a bit colder today. Actually, alot colder as I think about it. Don’t tell me you have that Seasonal Affective Disorder. I still don’t believe that could be a medical diagnoses, attitude varying on the seasons. That just seems absurd. I think it’s probably tied to some traumatic experience you may of had in the winter. Don’t you think?

Anyways, you were much warmer in Hawai’i. What’s up with that? I know the people there are nicer and stuff, but you find kind people here in L.A. It just all depends on who you hang out with you know.

So what is it?

Even in Thailand you were much warmer than this. And THAT was in the winter time too.

Is it because we’re messy? Kinda dump crap all over the place.

I’m sorry, but that happens everywhere. Not just here. Okay. Fine. We do drill for oil but that’s underneath of you. But that’s it. Can’t imagine that we disturbed you that bad. We Californians know how important you are. We do our best to keep you clean. That garbage patch of plastic wasn’t me.

Really.

Okay, maybe, I did have something to do with it. I was dumb back then. I know better now.

Trust me. I’m sure we’re going to do something about that.

I mean, I can’t speak for everyone. But I’m sure there aren’t many cough-outs out there. There are mover and shakers that will get it done. Believe me, I happen to have met them. They’re good people.

I do my part. The very little I can do, Ill do. No if and’s or butt’s. Just know we’re still learning about things.

This watch?

Yeah. It is made out of plastic and all, but I’m keeping it. Not throwing it away. Just gonna replace the battery if it dies. No. Don’t believe me?

Okay, yeah. IF it gets smashed I’ll probably throw it away.

But California recycles. Told you we’re watching your back. Reduced our dependancy on petroleum and all. Maybe not enough, but it’s a step in the right direction. We’re re-conditioning ourselves for decades of excess. It’s not easy. Shoot. We’re pumping more and more people out every year. It’s hard to keep educating everyone.

I tell you what.

I’ll keep spreading the word once I get back to shore. Just do me favor.

Give me one wave.

Doesn’t have to be that big. I can’t ride the big ones anyway. Waist high maybe? Too much? Okay okay. Knee high then.

That one?

Sweet.

Hey, wait a minute.

Oh that’s gross.

What the hell is this?

There’s trash in the wave.

Oh very funny Mr. Pacific. You want me to paddle through this? I could catch something serious in there. I didn’t bring my earplugs.

Yeah yeah, I get it.

Look it’s Venice Beach, I don’t live here.