Damascus? (545 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.83 on 7 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by BillyGoat (View user info) at 2008-10-09 23:01:54 EDT
I rested my shoulder on the traffic light and looked across for the opposite light to turn green. The street ahead glistened in the rain and red light reflected off it. The same light gave a hue to the surrounding buildings and it faded away as the building stretched into the distance.
I staggered past a doorway manned by a stern looking man whose arms were crossed so tightly across his chest; I thought he might suffocate himself. As I balanced my elbow on the window ledge, I took a huge lungful of air to calm my own heaving chest which was ready to capitulate to the vomit stirring inside. To distract myself, I looked though the frosted window and I could see the outlines of a pink thong. I straightened up to get a clearer view only to realise that it was a man gyrating on a pole. A steady stream of whoops and cheers accompanied each hip movement culminating in applause when the song finished. I continued moving.
From early on in the night, my brain had opted for a right side bias which made it difficult to keep away from the parked cars as I inevitably found myself straying towards the curb. Each time I'd swing to the left to realign myself whilst trying to avoid the lampposts and garbage along my path. This sew sawing cum slalom continued for a while until I eventually veered too far and tripped across some stairs and banged my head onto a door frame.
I can't say my head was hurting at the time, but I instinctively put my hand onto my head. As I rubbed the phantom pain away, I saw you, huddled up in a blanket, some 20 metres away on the other side of the street. I watched you empty the few coins from the upturned hat and replace it on the ground. Your hand remained outstretched waiting for the next handout and your eyes watched each tapping stiletto and the accompanying brogue until they faded into the distance.
Something about you drew me in and I crossed the street. Had my olfactory capacities been working I would have discerned why so many people were hurrying away from you, but because my senses were dulled, I approached gingerly, trying to side step the many globs of spittle and mucus deposited about your doorway. I stood by you and didn't say a word. I merely looked at your illuminated figure huddled below the doorway.
You asked for a lighter and I reached for my pocket. And when I bent over to give it to you, you held my hand and your clear blue eyes softened and the lines on your forehead eased. You looked deep into my eyes and held your gaze as if searching for something. Was I gazing back at you or looking further into my own life? I'm not sure, but at that instant I felt powerless, as though you had sapped the energy from me.
Your grip loosened, but I held on and fell to my knees. I bowed and tears streamed down my face. I stayed there dripping bodily fluids on your feet, but you didn't move away. After a while, i stopped crying and wiped the mess away. I raised my head to look at your smiling face. I drew your hand to my face and the warmth flowed through me and felt my head clear with each passing minute. I closed my eyes and allowed the knots and tangles that had clocked my mind to be undone. When i re-opened them, I felt lighter, there was a new clarity, of which I had never known before. I brought your hands towards my lips and kissed the tender palms.
I gently let go, straightened and slowly backed away not knowing what all this meant.
Just a few hours before, I had lost my job. The credit crunch had firmly sunk its teeth around my neck and I'd felt asphyxiated as I exited the office. For a while I'd stood staring at my phone sifting through the many phone numbers looking for a comforting bosom to cuddle up to. I was ready to dial when I changed my mind. I thought of Louise at home with the kids, and how much i had wronged her. Out of her compassion, she'd suggested that I rent a flat near my workplace to save me commuting the 4 hour daily round trip. By being closer to work, I could work longer hours, earn more money and save on the travel expenses. There was obvious logic to her argument and I agreed. But my weakness led me astray and I exploited her trust for my own gain. Yes the money was flowing in but I blew it on parties, drugs and women. My flat became a crush pad for friends and their mistresses I even rented out my other room to a fellow manager who wanted the room for personal services. Louise was always in the dark. I insisted she give me notice whenever she wanted to visit so that I had time to clear the flat of any traces of other women. To keep her quiet I'd set up a weekly stop order which would go straight into her account and each weekend I'd go back home and spend time with her and the family. We'd go on family trips and I always made sure the kids were cared for, yet for the other five days I pretty much did what i wanted. I was a disgrace and now that my job had gone I needed her more than ever.
I did dial, but I hung up when she answered. I wasn't yet prepared to confess everything. Instead i revved up the Mercedes and ended up drunk in Soho.
And as I paddled back I kept thinking why it was me that had come to you whilst everyone stayed away. I watched you bring the lighter to your face and then remembered the smell that had frightened the other passebys. Now that I was sober I could see the plastic can with the red liquid inside. I watched you open it and place it in-between your legs and then you looked towards me and gave made the sign of the cross. I took out my phone and started dialling but as I did, a clink of the lighter set you ablaze. I watched for a long time as the blaze roared up into the sky then i pressed 'call'.
Louise was still awake and I told her everything. As I drove back to my family I remembered the indents in your palms and your feet and how you had not cried as the flames consumed you. No doubt, something changed inside me that day,but one question still lingers on... Was it really You in that doorway?
User Reviews
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2008-10-10 14:51:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Lib (user info) at 2008-10-10 13:49:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-10-10 09:51:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
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Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-10 09:30:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i like you
Submitted by sexualchocolate1984 (user info) at 2008-10-10 05:41:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Psht. Meh.
I hope you did lose your job in the credit crunch - the only people who lost their jobs are the cunts that have been risking our money and our whole financial sysytem for their own personal gains!
I hope you were the tramp - sleep now in the fire motherfucker.
Submitted by OminousFate (user info) at 2008-10-09 23:31:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by TheGoat (user info) at 2008-10-09 23:07:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
or was it some nutter with a death wish