sitting on the nearest kitchen chair. Its red vinyl squeaked as she shifted her weight, resting her upper body over the cool formica table. It didn’t matter that jobs were as scarce as there were working cars in this community. May was nearing and any sensible young person with a sturdy back... Show moresitting on the nearest kitchen chair. Its red vinyl squeaked as she shifted her weight, resting her upper body over the cool formica table. It didn’t matter that jobs were as scarce as there were working cars in this community. May was nearing and any sensible young person with a sturdy back would take to the fields for the summer. The pay was better, faces would tan, and picking beans among the smell of manure was a whole lot better than cleaning up behind a bunch of dogs. Jessie understood. She’d thought about leaving a few times, but now had been here so long that she was branded. There were no otherjob options for her. It was sort of like painting a house. Once you’d chosen that mustard yellow color and slopped it on the front two panels, you realized your mistake, but it really did— n’t matter. It was too late. The color was on, and it was a matter of course - you just stuck it out. Out of high school, she'd had big dreams to get out, had to, just needed to get some cash together, get a car, and move on. That cash never came. Within a year, her belly was swollen, and she had to do what she could to prepare for parenting. At least what had been swim— ming in her belly had better sense than she did. It saw what was coming and aborted itself before the third trimester. Show less
"Grab me a dry towel would you?" Still bent over, Jessie heard the screen door squeak and then slam. The kids rubber soles called back “fool, fool" as her shoes moved against the plastic green runner. The door had no sense but to repeat its words as her pale assistant passed through walking back... Show more"Grab me a dry towel would you?" Still bent over, Jessie heard the screen door squeak and then slam. The kids rubber soles called back “fool, fool" as her shoes moved against the plastic green runner. The door had no sense but to repeat its words as her pale assistant passed through walking back over and dropping the towel down by her ankles. Jessie checked her watch, as Katie looked on. Ten min— utes she’d been at it, and still had to change the sheets and scrub the bathroom. The rest could wait for anoth— er day. She’d purposely left the bathroom for last, as it felt relatively tidy, tidy, that is, considering the state of the larger room. Katie wasn‘t going to be of any more help - none of her color had come back yet; the vile smell held tight in the air. Twelve minutes had passed and with the disposal of the bottles, the physical signs of someone's poor beverage choices had vanished. “Kid, get the window open. \Ne’ve got to get that stench out of here." Katie's feet shuffled past all the time mocking her in the same fashion as before. She had fourteen minutes of work left in this so—called suite, and only eight minutes of time she thought rais— ing herself, scratching at her knees trying to remove the shag imprint from her skin. Katie had managed to get the window up and she now hung her head out of the opening like a dog enjoying an open—air car ride. Jessie still needed to go down to 53 Show less
Some Twenty Minutes Jessie sat on the backs of her ankles, bent at the hips scouring the vomit stained carpet. The new trainee had gone out of the room to ease her throat convulsions that came on as she entered the doorway. The thick, stale air held last evening’s activities within its sad walls.... Show moreSome Twenty Minutes Jessie sat on the backs of her ankles, bent at the hips scouring the vomit stained carpet. The new trainee had gone out of the room to ease her throat convulsions that came on as she entered the doorway. The thick, stale air held last evening’s activities within its sad walls. 810 gin. Jack Daniels and Blatz empties littered the tiny room like shrapnel after an air raid. This was the final floor of the evening. She dropped the rag into the sudsy water bucket, sloshing it around releasing the larger. clinging pieces from its fibers. Her hands were a ruddy color, achy and swollen from the repeated motions of her trade. The mid-day sun peered through the faded gingham print. its ruffle too worn to stand proud. Glancing out through the aluminum screen door, Jessie could see the kid Katie. her forearms leaning against the second story railing, taking in the motel view; sadly looking like a worn out strip mall. She wondered how long this kid would stay, “Two months? A month? Three days? Yes. perhaps three days." As much as any kid needed ajob in this town, this one wasn't worth the trouble. It was hard work; one could barely clean a room in twenty minutes. It took Jessie five minutes with well— trained hands to get a good scrub out of these toilets, Show less
English Monologues V Flaming 0! Tell me why you Keep me from folly, from fellows? My lover proved himself a handyman, Sold all self, and to the profligate gallow Died when payment was made. You erect In privacy, I confess, where, I insist, For want of me (the Bible bless me) I’ve lived to where... Show moreEnglish Monologues V Flaming 0! Tell me why you Keep me from folly, from fellows? My lover proved himself a handyman, Sold all self, and to the profligate gallow Died when payment was made. You erect In privacy, I confess, where, I insist, For want of me (the Bible bless me) I’ve lived to where the devil's stockings Eighteen years. Conversing with myself that I might matriculate to world wisdom; I visited my notions and then I returned— More fashionable, more audacious by far, But no longer poor... And now I will, Having life opened and liberated to My amazement, still prefer your milk In my rich mouth. No, this made mind I'll mask and mottle in easy imagination, Adoring hand and potential procreation. Aaron Gabriel 31 Show less
