Chance Encounters

Sudden death

My mind was racing after work, and in fact it was because of Mark meeting Lenny. Lenny was my grandfather and quite intimidating to boot. I felt around underneath my drivers’ seat hoping for a warm drink. Much to my shock both of them were following me just fine,Mark was right behind me and Larry was behind him. Hitting the jackpot I found a canteen full of water. I drove with my knees as I unscrewed the cap feeling the liquid salvation as it went down my throat. Glancing back I seen Mark smiling in my rear view. Larry was behind him keeping the pace. What I really wanted to do was go back to our hang out spot smoke some joints and talk about life,but thanks to my mother we now have to go to my grandparents’ house. I was tired. Running off of half a joint and no tea,it was rough. I wasn’t mad at Larry for smoking both of them,and I can’t even be too mad about work. Frank was an amazing boss and let me work at my own pace.

After around thirty minutes of driving, we arrived,leading the pack I pulled into the street next to the house. Thankfully Mark and Larry followed my lead and parked behind me. Slamming the e-break on I hopped out and met up with them. “Look,Mark and Larry,I’m going in to take a shower,I’m gross and covered in fluids. You two please just make peace,Lenny is a hard ass and will argue about politics and WWII,he also likes to talk about his experiences over in Europe so ask him about Belgium or Germany if you get in a rough spot. Carol likes to knit,play piano and cook so there’s that.” Mark smiled, “Baby I’ve got this I’m sure it’ll go fine.” Larry sighed out of nerves more than anything. I opened the door and much to my own surprise Lenny was out back grilling and Carol was knitting on the couch waiting for potatoes and noodles to be done cooking. I said my greetings to the both of them before I bolted to the shower. Hopefully them two could handle my grandparents.

I got out as quickly as I could have. My bbq clothes of choice were a tie dye shirt and a pair of jeans. I peered into the living room and seen Larry helping Carol knit a new blanket for the couch, I shook my head. At least Larry got along well. “Put your work clothes in the washer and I’ll clean them for you.” Carol said not even batting an eye away from her project. Larry was keeping up with her pace and it looked liked he was enjoying it too. I walked outside to where Mark and Lenny were. Lenny was smoking some meat talking to Mark. “Hey kid,I like your boyfriend,he’s polite and good with taking stuff apart and putting it back together.” I nodded, shocked that Lenny liked someone,but hey maybe the stars are finally aligning for me. Mark took the plate of freshly smoked meat off the grill and into the house. Lenny pulled me aside. “Look kid,he’s a rare find try and keep him around.” I nodded, “Yeah I’m going to try.” Lenny smiled,I’m starving and the food is done let’s go eat.”

Sitting at the head of the table was Lenny followed by carol,I sat by Mark and Larry sat by Carol. “How is school going for you gentlemen?” Lenny asked. I kept my mouth shut,the next question would in fact be sudden death. Larry answered,by telling him all about shop and all about their senior year. I cut a piece off of my venison. “Mark,I’m glad to meet you,but can you handle a one on one man vs man?” Lenny asked. I’m his only grandchild,however I do think that this is a bit of an overreaction. Mark looked at him while raising his eyebrow, “Suppose I win,would we ever have to play sudden death again?” Lenny laughed while Carol apologized profusely to Larry. “I’m so sorry about him.” Larry laughed, “You would be surprised,Mark actually kind of digs this kind of thing.” Carol gasped,”Are you sure Larry?” He nodded. I’m glad those two could have such a wonderful conversation while I’m in the middle of two men who want to brawl for the death,great.

I got up to wash my plate and silverware, after all I’m not a heathen and it gave me an excuse to go see how the game of sudden death was going. The only downside was that I didn’t have a good view of Lenny and Mark,but instead I got a view of the wall. Larry and Carol were on the couch knitting a blanket. “You know Larry,you are always more than welcome to come by and help me sew and knit. Between Lenny and Skye there’s always holes and pants that need to be tailored.” Larry’s cheeks flushed red. “Anything you need Mrs. Hall.” He muttered. Lenny and Mark came in the door. Mark had some bruises along his biceps and ribs. Lenny had one on his chest and some on his arms. “Young man has quite a punch.” He said wrapping his arm around him, then he added, “With some proper training he would be a fantastic soldier.” Mark huffed a sigh, “Yeah well you gave me a run for my money sir.” Lenny grinned.

The positive side of things was Mark was alive and breathing,the downside was that he had to go home. We stood in the driveway talking for a bit before he had to go. I planted a kiss on his cheek and lips. “Drive safe Marky,I enjoy you being around.” He smiled and started up his olds, “I will baby.” He said as he threw it in reverse and left. I already knew that he would be at work for the next two weeks. Well,I would be too,which is fine I suppose. I walked in the house, Lenny was drinking a rolling rock and listening to the vietnam news. I sat next to him. “So kid,your friends are good. I’m glad you made some down state.” I nodded. He looked at me puzzled, “What’s wrong?” I shrugged. “At some point I’m going down to Ohio next year and I doubt he will join me.” Lenny shrugged. “Look if it’s meant to be it will happen,don’t count it out yet.” He winked. “How about we go out back and burn one.” I looked at him startled. “Yeah I know what your two plants are.” I smiled and nodded.

It was peaceful outside. No lights and no cars,due to the fact it is a weekday. I rolled a joint and passed it to Lenny along with a lighter. “So kid,how is everything, I mean I know it was hard for you to even come down here.” I shrugged. On one hand it was great,I like Mark and Larry and on the other hand my mother and her sisters irritate the hell out of me. “It’s alright, I mean I miss the rez and the upper peninsula,but I’ll go back up there probably after I get done with Ohio.” Lenny took a long drag off of the joint. “Look,don’t forget to be a kid every once in a while. It’s important to have fun,although you are determined and willing you need to cut yourself some slack.” He handed me the joint, I took in his wisdom and knowledge. I wanted to take Mark up in the U.P. and show him the beauty of Michigan and the woods. I want to move up there with him. Lenny and I decided that it was time to go to sleep. We went into the house and went to turn in.

Morning came fast and hard. With a thud I rolled off the bed and onto the floor hitting my head in the process. I cussed under my breath as I walked down the hall. “Morning kid.” Lenny said. He was sitting at the table sipping on his coffee,reading the paper. “Morning.” I said. Today I wasn’t about to forget my tea. I washed out my thermos as I filled the kettle and set it on the stove. Lenny c****d his head, “What’s up with the tea? Have you tried coffee?” I shrugged, “I like my tea. It tastes good and I can add honey and sugar in it. Coffee is too bitter for my liking plus if it gets cold it’s still good sweet tea. Learned it from my dad.” He nodded, “Fair enough I suppose. Be safe at work,if Mark gets off at a decent time he is always welcome here.” I nodded and said thank you. Pouring the kettle into the thermos,I threw some green tea bags in it and let it sit while I went to get dressed. I threw on one of my work shirts and jeans. I didn’t feel like wearing my coveralls especially because I had to sit through some classes. My baseball hat went on my head as I shoved my tied up hair through the back. Yes it was indeed a Ford hat a red one with the V8 logo in silver. I shoved a bag of bud in my shirt pocket and put a brand new box of papers in my pocket. Good enough for today I suppose. I walked out in the kitchen made sure to grab my thermos and walked out the door.

If the neighbors weren’t awake before now they are. My truck roared to life as I started it. I threw in a CCR eight track and cruised on over to Mallow. The traffic was ungodly. Someone ran into a tree blocking off the whole side of the road. I sighed and pulled an illegal move and drove on the shoulder,getting a whole train of people following me. I finally got into the parking lot and parked in the back. I sighed, opening my thermos and taking a sip of tea. I was minding my business when Mark hopped into my truck. “Morning sweetheart.” He said and kissed my cheek. I gave him a kiss and a hug. I handed him a joint. We were sitting when someone pounded on my window. It was some girl. I rolled down my window. “Can I help you?” I asked,already irritated that someone pounded on my truck. “Yeah I want my man back.” She said. I opened the sliding window in the back of my truck and hopped in the bed. Mark hopped out of the passenger door. “May,leave me alone. I’m not with you and I’m not going to be with you.” I glanced over my shoulder and seen Mark walk around the truck. “May,I only did it because you like me not the other way around.” I hopped out of my truck bed. “Honestly,I’m half tempted to beat your ass because of you pounding on the window like that.” She looked at me and took a flying leap at me,knocking me down out of sheer surprise. I got up and brushed my shirt off. Mark took a step to his right,Larry pulled in next to my truck and just in time for a show. May went to go punch me,but I grabbed her fist and bent it backwards. In one motion I brought her to the ground. “Look,don’t you ever f**k with me.” I snarled in her ear. Picking her up over my shoulder I threw her on the hood of the D’vill she drove. “Oh and tell your dad about how you pounded on my brand new paint job. It’s only pay back.” I said walking back to my truck to maybe enjoy the time before school.