Black Jesus by Simone Felice

Author:Simone Felice
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2011-08-31T22:00:00+00:00

Joe’s pants are on the floor of Debbie’s bedroom in the back of the Dairy Queen. A dusty broken walk-in cooler six months ago, this ten-by-twelve space, got to through a heavy metal door behind the old kitchen in back, has since been reinvented as a veritable love den complete with candles, vaguely Eastern tapestries above a twin futon, baby oil on the nightstand, Rite Aid brand. It’s just barely dawn, a Greyhound bus passes out on the main road in the half-dark, Deb snores lightly by his side and the cell phone in the pocket of his Dickies on the carpet sings a muted We will, we will rock you.

‘Joe here.’

‘Joe boy?’

‘Who is this?’

‘Who else calls you Joe Boy?’

‘Why you callin’ so early, Mom?’

‘I want to go to the drive-in one more time before I die.’

‘You’re not gonna die, Ma.’

‘Oh yes I am. I hate to be a party pooper but so are you. And that strange big bird you’ve shacked up with. And every other blessed creature in the universe one day or another. And my day’s just around the bend, whether you like it or not. No sense moping about it. That’s why I’m singin’ in the rain,’ sings Bea Two-Feathers.

‘But isn’t there something we can do to—’

‘Singin’ in the rain. I’m not gonna be one of those sad sacks who fights tooth and nail for nothing. I sincerely hope I just clap off like the clapper the day he comes knocking.’

‘Who?’

‘The guy with the cycle. Death. The Boatman. Ferryman. Whatever you wanna call him. All I want is to go to the friggin’ drive-in movies one last time and that goddamn Director Steve won’t grant me a day pass.’

‘Why the hell not?’

Debbie stirs beneath the sheet. ‘Who you talkin’ to, baby?’

Joe covers the phone with his long hand and whispers, ‘My mom. I think she’s losing her marbles.’

‘I heard that.’

‘Shit. Sorry, Mom. I’m just worried about you.’

‘So then get your ass down here and have a talk with this Nazi director.’

‘Okay, I’ll be down, just let me get my pants on,’ says Joe and hangs up.

‘Don’t you dare put those pants on yet,’ says fat Deb. ‘You hear me, Tonto?’

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