August 27th, 2008
“Son of a bitch, you’re running up the meter!”27 comments
August 20th, 2008
"Hey bro, remember me? You wrote that story about me in the paper."3 comments
August 13th, 2008
“It’s the Californians, man, the Californians are the worst.”15 comments
August 6th, 2008
The middle-aged man I picked up at Vendetta is in a hyperactively verbose lather ...0 comments
July 23rd, 2008
When I step into the obese old woman's apartment5 comments
July 16th, 2008
The obese old woman at Fred Meyer has a bad hip and a wheelchair...8 comments
July 9th, 2008
“...I need to take a shower first and wash all of this blood off.”6 comments
July 2nd, 2008
“So I’ve got these two women in the back of my cab who just refuse to get out...”8 comments
June 25th, 2008
“My friend’s getting divorced, and he’s really drunk,” says the bartender...8 comments
June 18th, 2008
There’s nothing like a good Friday night, and I’m referring to the money.3 comments
[August 29th, 2007]
"Are you all right?"
This is, on the surface, a foolish question—the young woman was sobbing even before she got in the cab. It's meant more as an inquiry as to whether I can help her, or if she wants to talk about it. Her claim to be fine means I can't help, and she doesn't want to talk.
Her apartment isn't far, and she's still crying as she hands me her credit card. While it runs, I twist around to look her in the eye.
"Look," I tell her, "I don't want to say I know how you feel, but I've got an idea.... And it's horrible, and it's miserable, and nobody ever deserves to feel that way. But what makes it so beautiful, and horrible too, is that it happens to everyone. And eventually...well, it won't go away, but it'll at least hurt less."
"But I feel like it just keeps happening!" Her voice is desperate with pain, and I'm suddenly consumed with memories of women I've made cry, or who've made me cry.
"I know."
"I love him so much, and I don't understand this!"
"Neither do I, but that you're feeling this way shows you're at least a caring enough person to deserve someone better."
"But that doesn't make this hurt any less!"
"No, it doesn't," I tell her, "but I guess some of us just have to kiss more frogs than others."
It's a lame joke, but she laughs.
Story continues below
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RECENT COMMENTS ON “"Are you all right?"”
Thanks, Klo, for making me laugh long and loud. Loved the concept of "rebound sex," but you capped it with the last clause.
NC, I liked this one the most so far. Tight w...
as usual KLO , you're as ignorant as you always sound. It's nice to have some constants in this precarious world we live in.
"Tight writing, broad strokes"??? Jeezus...
I think your wonderful for making that girl feel more cheered up. It's nice that you put in some attempt to make her feel better. Personally, I think your cheesy joke is funny too :]] it would make me...
