Flash Fiction / Blogging

Two days later a friend came over. There was plenty of beer in the refrigerator, so he sat and told me once again how he hated his job but couldn't quit because of his standard of living, and how his wife no longer sexually excited him but he didn't want a divorce because she was such a sweet person and he didn't have the energy to start all over with someone new. He insisted once again that in five years the Soviets would move into the Middle East. I told him he was crazy because the Soviets knew we would have to get into it too and if that happened we could all kiss our silly asses goodbye. The next flash point was going to be in Africa. He said he didn't give a good watery shit where the next flash point was going to be as long as he and I didn't have to be in it again. I said amen brother and he said amen and I said I'd sure as hell drink to that but found all the fucking beer was gone.

We went out and made our way to a topless bar. Our two favorite dancers were dancing. Women are so wonderful. I couldn't get over how wonderful they were. The music was great. The pizza was great. The beer was too expensive. Then my good old buddy got up on the stage and tried to dance with one of the nude dancers. A guy came from behind the bar and told him to get the hell out. I tried to explain how it was all a terrible mistake and the guy told me to get the hell out too.

Outside Doug and I said we'd have to do this again real soon without making any arrangements to do so. The night was cold but I was dressed warmly and the stars looked very nice. The phone was ringing when I let myself in.

"Lou?"

"Who is this?"

"Donna. Donna Briggs"

I didn't want to talk to her.

"Did I wake you?"

"I just got in."

"I'm a little embarassed."

"About the other night?"

"Well, yes, that too."

I didn't know what she was talking about and I didn't care to know. The room kept trying to spin on me so I sat down on the floor.

"I wanted to know if you would like to see me again," she said.

"For what?"

"You know. To have some fun."

"No I don't know. I didn't like it and neither did you. What's the sense in going through that again?"

"But don't you want to see me?"

"Are you kidding?"

"Wouldn't it be pleasant to see me again?"

Sitting on the floor in the dark with the room trying to spin and the phone to my ear I could hear her breathing at the other end.

"Are you sure this time?"

"Darling," she said. "Please don't make this any more difficult for me than it already is."