ship of fools
Drug Store
I tried not to lose my temper but since I was there to fill a painkiller script, I was about to blow any minute because I was, wait for it, in so much freaking pain, for god’s sake, and the old lady in front of me would not shut off her faucet and get the hell out of my way, so I was barely hanging on. Jesus! I turned to check the dude moaning behind me, his pancake, flat face twitching something fierce. Things were heating up, for sure. I looked back at the pharmacist with desperation and, recognizing me, she gave me a sympathetic smile. Mercifully, the gabber finally moved off, and I rapidly stepped up to the window and my white-smocked supplier, as the well-dressed guy behind me, I swear, was then growling and she heard him, too. A little fear did the trick, so she cut the chitchat short. In minutes, I was out in the parking lot, popping pain meds to kill the fire in my raging back, safe and warm in a country full of dopers and never -ending needs loose upon this shaky land. Then the other nut job flew out, waving a fistful of meds above his head, as he dove into a black Lexus. Strange days indeed, as per John Lennon.
A Lack of Community
River rafting on a narrow stream swollen with spring runoff we capsized, rushing water throwing us about like toys in a bathtub. Though we held close, regaining shore, with much shaking, swearing and stuttering. Close by, three cows chewing grasses witnessed our wild and somewhat ridiculous drama, without comment. I didn’t appreciate their haughty attitude and nettlesome indifference. At the very least, they could’ve gone for help.
ship of fools
edgy in line for lunch in rehab, shaved-head muscle in front of me, cursed the judge who sent him in, a tattooed woman yelled, motherfucker! in the cafeteria we fought the need, eating burnt fish, brown, stale salad, with melted ice cream for dessert. guy said twitching they gave him the wrong meds at bedtime. fuckers! going to sleep, detox in the next bed shook, moaned, screamed, fix me! I closed my eyes and hit the road to find a dream heading home.