He wrote it down when he got home, and in the morning, after he ate a bowl of cereal, he crossed out words and added a few, holding the fisherman in front of him. While he was imagining the fisherman, the aging bus boy appeared with his cart. Alphonse jumped off his fork lift. Whistling Ed Swaney walked over, sweating. Jade Willow Lady turned toward him from the grill. The bottle saint kneeled. They watched him with interest and concern. My teachers, he realized with a rush of feeling. My teachers. All this time and I didn't know.
He heard a noise at the door.
"Never mind, Batman. I'll get it." But no one was there, not even a baby in a basket. The morning air was vibrant. Doves called. His teachers and so many before him had done their best.
He bent his head.
"Aloha," Joe Burke said and took his stand beside them.
Every Story is a Love Story
1
A red MG came racketing around the corner. It passed, stopped, and reversed, one front fender swinging freely.
"Where you going?" The driver had wild eyes and a two day growth.
"Woodstock."