The Louie Bee

   It was a clear day in Montana... Maybe it was Louisiana... I don't quite remember. My head had been pounding all morning. The tequila is reminding me of the awful mistakes I've made. The skies that pass are quite blue for such a cold day. The American life. Any type of weather passes these parts. Most Americans don't feel the need to go anywhere else and why not? We have it all here in The United States of America.

   Coffee... The only way I'll be able to keep a pulse today. Lots to do. Lying in bed the phone rings. It's the front desk. Some nice lady seems to have had not liked how I was consuming my alcohol last night. Maybe I was too loud. I do have to admit, I am a loud drinker. After hanging up the phone my eyes settle nervously on the coffee maker. The thing about that coffee maker is that it makes a very loud and irritating sound while it runs. My innards could not sustain such a fright at this point. I was falling apart but I needed to make that coffee.

   I got up and began to make the froth smell of coffee. I stare across the living room floor at the maker and focus on it's curves and small nooks. What could possibly be making that noise? Maybe I needed to get a new one but my finances aren't looking too good at the moment. The phone rings again and it's my brother Wake. Wake is a solid man. As a kid he liked to fish and camp. Anyway, Wake was looking for a pick me up and I didn't know what to tell him... I was all out.

   "Man, all I need is a bump. Can you help me out?" I listened to the scare in his voice. He was truly sick.

   "I thought you were over this Wake." I heard Wake take a deep breath. He's trying to think of something to say in order to solidify his need. "I'm trying." was all I got from him. He had me worried. As a brother I should be right? Who else does he have? I told him I'd pick him up in an hour. After hanging up the phone I realized I needed to pick up Sheryl... My beautiful but pissed wife. I always seem to find a way to make her day more tough. What's my agenda? It'd be nice to know so I could prepare myself for whatever beating or hell I'd be walking into come 2pm: Pick Up Sheryl Time.

   Riiiiiing dong boooon errr. Jesus. There goes that darn coffee maker. Always catches me mid thought. I step out onto the patio after giving the coffee maker a good mean muggin' and lit a cigarette. The morning smoke really cures the blues somehow. I'll still feel like crap after but the demons will rest for a while. A bird flies by. I always wondered if the freedom of flight was as good as it sounded. Having the ability to go anywhere is nice but maybe it makes it easier to just fly away from something you probably should stick around for. A turtle has a rough slow going time when he decides to scoot away from his problems. 

   Back inside the room I get dressed and hair combed. On my way out I run into Shelly. She lives across the hall. Wanted to know if I saw a package earlier. It's her way of asking me, "Can you do this for me?" I usually say I'll keep an eye out for it but today was different. I was gonna give it to her man... I was in no mood to be dealing with her lazy around the ugly bush stupid questions. 

   I was done. It stops now... And, no. That didn't happen. I didn't tell her how sick I was of her. I just kept on walking past her. Such an anger built up in such a short amount of time. My mind was running too fast for the morning. I needed to calm myself. I have to get my mail to see if the insurance policy that my father had will cover my surgery. I'm getting a hernia taken care of. More on that later. Must keep moving forward.

   Down in the lobby I hear some kind of commotion happening but it barely catches my attention. I need to get to my mailbox.

   "What the fuck do you mean the room's not there?" Someone was experiencing anger.

   "Sir, like I've repeatedly stated. The room has a problem with the pluming and the hotel is at capacity. You can stay at our sister hotel during the renovation." Professionalism can be mundane if you ask me.

   "All my stuff is in there. You can't do that!"

   "Sir!" 

   I turn the corner of the lobby hall and rush out of the spinning doors. Out on the street the traffic has climaxed to a rage. The energy of my surroundings is not improving. Horns blaring. Pedestrians maneuvering for their lives. I try and jump the street but a cab nearly takes my legs out from under me. I back up in shock. The driver has stopped right where I was standing. I look up towards him expecting a fight that I am not prepared for but the driver just angrily waves me away like an annoying fly. His car screams away down the street for his next costumer. I fear I won't have the will power to go through two surgeries at this point in my life. A precautious one never fly but it's the only agenda I can afford. Stick to the sidewalks.

   My pants begin to vibrate. Oh, man. The tequila is collecting it's debt in an evil way this time. Have mercy on my nervous system Sir. Drink. I promise to only abuse you in the classiest of ways from now on... My pants still vibrate. What is this madness? CRAP. Sheryl. I dig into my pocket and grab my vibrating phone. As I take it out a small piece of paper falls to the ground. I answer the phone and pick up the paper from the ground.

   

   "Hello?"

   "Where on earth are you Jacob?"

   The piece of paper has a number on it. A six digit number: 308297. The hell is that?

    "What?" Sheryl's attitude was not going to improve.

   "Oh, sorry. Um, I'm on fifth and Grand. Where are you?"

   "Jacob. I'm at the doctors. You were suppose to be here an hour ago. I've been calling you ever since."

   Three zero eight two nine seven... Birthday's? A date? Could be a cellmates number. Doesn't Alfred work in corrections? Maybe he could help me out. I'll give him a call.

   "Who the hell is Alfred? Jacob. I need you to focus. The doctor wants to know what blood type you are. Do you have any clue?"

  A ratched side effect of large amounts of alcohol and bendomazine. The ware and tare on the mind creates the illusion that one is speaking inward but in reality is speaking to all who can hear. I need to check the dosage on the bottle of pills and tequila.  No use explaining this to Sheryl. She needs answers and so do I.

     "Uh, yeah. Try B." A slight pause on the line.

     "...That sounds like a guess. Are you positive it's B?"

     "Ah, no. Try B positive. Yeah that's it. Hey, does the number 308297 ring any bells?"

     Another lengthy pause on the lone. I wasn't sure if I was giving something away like some special code or something but I had a feeling this number meant something. My stomach makes a begging scream for food.
     "Jacob..." A sigh of defeat comes through my phone. "Just make sure to be at Rachels tonight at 8pm. Okay?"
     "Alright but if anything comes up with those numbers let me ---..."
     The line ends. She must be having a bad day. I tell her to lighten up but she asks how could she with a maniac in her life. I didn't catch her drift but I still wonder to this day who that maniac is.

     I stuff the paper in my back pocket and walk into SAL's. The best damn sandwhiches in East Davenhill. Always been a favorite. Coming in I see three men seated next to each other by the bar front. Hardworking men I can see. I decide to join them but leave a space between them and I in fear they might not want such a close encounter.
     I take my seat and forward a good morning to my pending buddies. The one closest to me turns his head slightly and nods. He has a roast beef sandwich in front of him that has been halved by his mouth.
     "Roast beef huh? The best in town if you ask me." The nearest again lets out a nod in agreement. A couple odd seconds pass. I guess my opening line was too open. No response. I look over towards the other two gentlemen and notice the one furthest from me has on scrubs under his fall jacket. I see this as a possible in to some delighted conversation. I study my future words in my head. First lesson in precausiosness...: THINK BEFORE THY SPEAKTH.

     "Hey Doc, I was wondering about something lately." The three of them look up from their plates wondering what I talk about. Ok, must make myself clear and to the point.