Cat in a Pumpkin

 

: drop off the last of the brochures; wired from coffee; share a bit of gossip with KM; lunch at my desk, arugula with roast beef, avocado, and lemon; paying the bills; read DA’s story for workshop; waiting for Pho from A2; A2 has run out of Pho so I get the rice plate; inhale it at my desk; take the 33 to 18th and Mission; walk to AV’s house; neighborhood in transition; a beautiful evening walk; Spanish in low voices, English loud and shrill; inexpensive clothing stores, plastic toys wrapped in crinkly cellophane; taquerias; sidewalks grimy; cell phone stores; beauty salons lit with fluorescent lights, decorated with red plastic flowers; haircuts $8; preacher speaks of Jesus Christ in Spanish; people walking and smoking; woman with large glasses and bright lipstick buying meat at the butcher shop; glass of wine; LG arrives; I’m tired and subdued, aggravated; workshop starts later; AB comes for the first time in months; we talk about my story first, then DA’s piece, play a surreal game for SG; If… then...