Thunder started as Aaron let the door of the William Penn swing shut while Cecil slipped through. The street was cold and the air was clear after the sweepers came by. Cecil stopped to pick up his phone and put it in his pocket.
"So it's your last night, Cecil."
"Yeah, we should hit up Peoria."
"Anywhere but in that place."
"Never saw those guys before."
The car wouldn't start again. Cecil got out to bang on the starter with a wrench. Aaron turned the key after each whack. Started on the fourth try. They drove to seventh and then to fourth and took alleys the rest of the way. It started raining between Chestnut and Montreal. It was the first storm of the season.
Aaron ran up the fire escape to start the oven. Cecil came in and dropped his keys on the table.
"Sure is coming down," he said.
Aaron came to the screen door. They stood there watching the rain come down over the porch, on the alley, over the rooftops, and all the way to the pike. They could see the rain falling on Jeff's Swamp, past Peoria.
"Supposed to rain all week," said Aaron.
"I'll be long gone," said Cecil.
"Friggin' Kashmir," said Aaron, "Dang it."
"Lash's out in the swamp," said Cecil, "fishin'."
"We oughta go," Aaron said.
Cecil went to the living room. TV on. Email up. Aaron shut the door and put the pizza in. The hall was long.
"What's the big deal?" Aaron asked.
"Nothin'. Just seems like there's no point," said Cecil.
"We used to go all the time."
"It's my last day."
"Want some citron?" Aaron asked.
"Sure," said Cecil, "What's the status of your folks?"
"Ain't good," Aaron called down the hall, "I watched two NASCAR races last week - first time ever."
"You're kidding," said Cecil.
"No. There's more there than meets the eye," said Aaron.
"Not much more," said Cecil.
"No, but more," said Aaron.
Aaron set the pizza down on the floor and poured Cecil's glass full. Then he poured his own glass. They sat on the couch a long time without saying anything, drinking citron and listening to the rain.
"I love those pieces of peel at the bottom," said Aaron.
"I wonder what the difference is between citron and orange," said Cecil.
"Guess you'll find out in Kashmir," said Aaron, "I wish you woulda married that Christine chick."
"Impossible. She slept through everything," said Cecil.
"Lucky her," said Aaron.
"So, how'd you get the shiner?" asked Cecil.
"Baseball. First pitch of the game. Figgers," said Aaron.
"Can't believe I didn't notice it earlier," said Cecil.
"You didn't look at me," said Aaron.
Cecil left the room. Aaron could hear him opening and shutting dresser drawers down the hall. There were two rooms between the living room and kitchen. First Cecil's bedroom, then the bathroom. The hallway was long and there were four closets.
"Hello!" called Lash, banging on the door.
"Holy crap!" said Cecil as he let Lash in, "nice fish!"
Aaron started down the hall. He could hear the boys laughing.
"Well I'll be --," said Aaron, "Jeff's Swamp comes through again."
"No kidding," said Lash.
Lash held four large brook trout all strung together on the lace from his left boot. He was soaking wet. Aaron smiled.
"Nothing like a nice catch to take away the pain," said Aaron.
Cecil stood quietly.
"Cheer up," said Lash, "fish'll always be there."
Lash grabbed a pan and a knife and went out to the porch to gut his trout. Aaron went back to the living room. Cecil followed.
"More citron?" asked Cecil.
"Sure," said Aaron.
"So, is it the end or what?" Cecil asked.
Aaron stared, sipping his citron.
"It's like he thinks we're still kids and it's got nothing to do with us. Grown-up business. That way he doesn't have to feel so guilty."
The next day Aaron drove over to pick up Sandy. She hopped in and kissed him on the cheek. They drove downtown, past seventh, across fourth, and took alleys to the drug store. Aaron parked the car and sat staring out the windshield.
"What's wrong?" Sandy asked.
Aaron was crying.
"He was my friend," he said.
The rain started coming down. Before long it was hail. Big balls were falling all around, bouncing off the car and making an enormous ruckus. There was thunder, and lightning.
...continue reading...
