Divorce Pool by Phillip Buckman

Author:Phillip Buckman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mascot Books
Published: 2021-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

The sound of construction wakes me. Feeling fully rested, I pop up out of bed and begin my daily ritual. Stretches on a carpeted floor that reeks of cigarette smoke. Local and national news while reading up on botanical properties. Three cups of weak, complimentary coffee. Downstairs, the continental breakfast buffet offers apples, bananas, and graham crackers. I laugh at the sparse menu, but I am happy to have avoided the grease bombs of Denny’s.

As I check out of the room, the morning clerk reminds me to stay cool. The computer is swarming with customers, forming a long line of those waiting to use it. They hold paper maps lengthwise and sideways, studying the highway system. Wives and husbands argue about routes. Dashboard GPS units are still too expensive for the common traveler. For this reason, most people are stuck using these kiosks. Like the alcohol-based hand rub, it is a condition of the pandemic.

Two miles down Interstate 10, I find my gem bazaar. While the road trip is strictly meant as a way to reconnect with old friends, the gem industry of Tucson has always been an item of personal interest. I am excited to buy gifts for my friends and for myself. Minerals and crystals make for great gifts.

The repository is busy with activity. Couples holding hands look among the aisles for matching stones to set into engagement rings. Turquoise vendors epoxy their wares into gaudy silver trinkets. A bolo tie shop sells pewter sculptures of Arizona in celebration of the upcoming centennial. I am at peace in this market of stones. The colors and textures remind me of Earth’s magnificence. After an hour of window-shopping, my eye is drawn to a collection of fire agate.

Seeing the stones, I immediately think of Mishelle. One of them has been tumbled into a smooth and round teardrop. Layers of brown and red look like waves washing up on a Martian shore. The beauty of the stone keeps me in a trance for over a minute. It reminds me of feelings recently felt, back in Houston, sitting in the neon hot tub. Without questioning my motive, I purchase the agate egg. I want to send it to the Simmermanns, as a nod to our wonderful time together.

After buying a few more gems, I leave the shop with a smile of contentedness. I only have one more chore before leaving for LA, and it should be quick. Looking at some scribbled directions, I plot a course for several practitioners along the interstate. I will drive to each one and hawk my display of tinctures. My menstruation formulas are particularly popular. The first acupuncturist, who has been placing online orders, is happy to meet me in person. His driveway is littered with beer cans.

He looks at the portable medicine cabinet and marvels at new products, not yet available through the website. After mumbling to himself, he asks, “How much for the entire inventory? I have several patients who are hooked on your magic.”

I smile with pride.

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