Somebody Else's Blues by B. Jackson

Author:B. Jackson [Jackson, B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-04-29T04:00:00+00:00

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Proverbs 27:1

Chapter 15

Brenda turned quickly into the first empty parking stall that she found. Because of an accounting problem at work, she was late picking up Lil’ Ray from the daycare. She calculated in her head that just making it from the cash office to the front of the store alone cost her at least an extra $10 in late fees for child care that she could barely afford in the first place. Customers kept stopping her every few feet for things she had no idea where to find.

But, nonetheless, her spirit was still running high. Just hours earlier, she stood in the office of Mac McGuire in front of his heavy dark oak desk and handed him a shiny black cookie tin that she’d found in a local second hand store. Around it she’d tightly and intricately wrapped a thick metal chain with a padlock. The key to it resting on top. He received it with both of his hands all the while looking at her with the most curious expression on his face. He’d asked her to show him her best work, and she would.

Quietly, he unlocked the rusted lock and unwound the chain with only a little resistance. She took her seat slowly. Her eyes were affixed on his face. She’s learned a long time ago that a person spoke without words -- with just body language and facial expressions alone. The information that she could gather from it could tell her much more than what he could manipulate his mouth to say. It would reveal a lie or be a perfect companion to the truth. She’d come a long way since that day in fifth grade with the red headed substitute teacher, but if she was going to step out of herself to believe that she could go to college, then the truth had to be known.

One by one, he emptied the contents: a fresh red rose. The flower not yet in bloom. A packet of sugar. The kind that they offer you at restaurants for your tea or coffee. A pair of dark sunglasses. Underneath everything was a small diary bookmarked at the page he was to read. He began to read aloud:

“I gave myself to a man

and with it the key.

He opened me up and one by one

emptied the heart of me.

He consumed my dreams

and soured what was sweet

and left me with shame

and my mother’s words to eat.

Then when he was done he asked,

‘Have you nothing more to give?’

I looked at myself and said with love,

there is now more room for you to live.

He responded quickly and said,

‘There’s not room enough to breathe.’

Then of my things he used what was left

and prepared himself to leave.

Now you’ve done the same without knowing

that my life was in your hands.

But if decency prevails you’ll place them back

and restore my faith in man.”

Brenda watched him intently. Her head bent low. The beginnings of a smile teased the corners of her mouth.

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