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Southwest Winds 5.9.99
I have this soft bristled scrub brush attached to an extension pole which I have been using to clean the mildew growing on the side of the house and as I prepare to finish the last long side Jermaine yells from across the street, where he has been washing cars since eight in the morning. "I do that too now Mr. Jim." I just nod, but suddenly I have to know, "how much would you charge?" Jermaine starts scratching his chin and we all know he's never washed a house before so I give him the easy out and say, "you could watch me finish this side, get an idea of how I like it done and then maybe you could bid on the job next time." He nods, and says, "yeah, I'd have to walk around the house, get a better idea of what's up and all." I will say the work ethic he displays washing cars across the street is none too shabby. Contrary to many around him he does not appear to be afraid of hard work.

Erica comes over to help me wash the house. Glynn is right behind her, says,

"Happy late birthday, Mr. Jim."

"Thank you, Glynn."

"If you could have anything you wanted for your birthday, what would it be?"

"Well, I already got the stuffed rat I was longing for."

"Stuff'd rat? Who give you a stuff rat?"

"My brother."

"Where he get it?"

"Taco Bell."

"That a little dog, Mr. Jim, that ain't no rat."

"So you say."

"Well, if you could have anything else."

"Glynn, I would just like for all the little children of the world to hold hands in a field of harmony, and for there to be no fighting amongst them, and joy, let there be joy in Mudville and every other place too..."

"For real, Mr. Jim."

"I'd like a yo-yo."

"I can do that, I'll be right back," and he runs off across the street.

Erica says, "How old you is, Mr. Jim?"

"Forty."

"I'm still just five, but I be six..."

"...in September, I know when your birthday is. What do you want for your birthday this year."

Erica smiles a smile still missing those two front teeth and says, "I can't tell you, and I can't tell Miss Amanda either."

"Why is that?"

"Because ya'll just gonna know."

Fermin shows up. "You had a birthday?"

"Thursday."

"Past, or coming up?"

"Past."

Fermin frowns. "You want a milky way?"

"Yes," I say.

He was probably banking on the other answer because he responds, "I don't have any money."

Glynn comes back from the Magnolia with a yo-yo, presents it to me and says proudly, "Happy birthday Mr. Jim."

"I was gonna get him a milky way but I didn't have no money," Fermin says defensively.

"Ima helpin' him wash the house," Erica says.

Lance shows up doing the latest yo-yo tricks.

"I have my yo-yo now buster, I'm gonna show you something later on, how to yo-yo like you never seen," I say.

"You'll never be good as me, Mr. Jim."

"We'll see about that Mister Buster."

"Mister Buster," Fermin laughs.

Its true though, I'll never be as good as Lance. I give Glynn a twenty and ask him to get me the boneless chicken plate over at the China Inn. "And get yourself something but bring me back the change."

I retire to the porch with my lunch, surrounded by Erica, Glynn, Lance, Fermin, Terrioues, and Dominique; Shelton shows up and apologizes for misusing the water spigot last night. Robert comes barreling up the steps but is held back by the other kids who know I don't like to be crowded. Kojak walks by carrying baby Jeanine; little Clifford dawdling behind.

The car wash boys are taking a break, drinking heineken, and smoking a fat blunt.

The dumpster is overflowing.

Winds are out of the southwest at ten miles per hour.


- jimlouis 1-22-2003 4:53 am [link] [add a comment]