MY Story

Could this be real? I sat there and watched, but could it be real? I was there with him. Could this be true or is it a lie? The words that I spoke and were heard, did I really say them? How did it turn out like this? Why! Why did it turn out like this?1

I started in the big city. What a surprise! Well, I thought I could make in New York City then in Vegas. I wanted what everyone wants: to have it all. My old life was gone and I was moving forward. My mother would be proud…2

I wanted to be a star, to start small and become a big hit! I know that I was never going to make it in a day, so my plan was to just start with a good paying job and work upward. I found a few good jobs, but the best, even if I hated it, was at the McDonald on the southwest part of town. It was a good start, ten dollars an hour plus benefits and it was a close drive from my apartment at the Drakes Motel.3

I had a start, but I didn’t know where to go from there. Lost and confused because of my old-small-town-life. It’s a jagged wound that healed when my father died, but I don’t what to talk about it now… I met Britany soon after I started working at McDonald, she had the same dream as me: to act and sing in lights. Its funny how things turned out, isn’t it? 4

We became the best of friends; she taught me the rules of the game and I taught her how to make a Big Mac. When there was an addition, we would both go and hope for the other to get a part. We both started to make good money; however; it was not good enough for just one of us to own a good house. Therefore, we teamed up and got a nice house, not big or small.5

Things were going good: new friends, great job, and a lucky break as a part-time actress. I guess I would figure life would be kinder to me since my past was so bad, you know karma. I guess life hates me and I know I am not the only one to say this, but life really hates me. I hate to share personal things, but people need to hear my story. It needs to be listened to when told and thought of often. So, between very chapter that you stop on and very time you reread this book, think and open your heart again and again. Don’t forget this book in the closet; hold it close to your heart as I have…6

CHAPTER 1 – An Old Man’s Sayings7

“We need a dog or something. This house is dead! Like- nothing is living in here!”8

“Brit, nothing does live here, we’re always gone.” I explained, “Have you seen my shoes? I have to work today.”9

“I don’t know, BUT if we had a dog it would have chewed on them!” Britany said trying to make a point.10

“Is that a good thing? Oh well, I found them. I’m going to be late!” I shouted as I ran out to my car.11

There started out not so good that Friday the 13th, but I didn’t know that it was the 13th. It was a normal-payday-Friday to me. I just wanted to finish my week of work and work on the addition scripted I had been working on, but nothing is normal for anyone on Friday the 13th… Well, except for the weird people that do orgies and other stuff on full moons and Friday the 13th. Well, my car did not start right away and I thought I had to pay to get it fix. In addition, I fell on my butt outside McDonald and when carrying food to a table, I spilt a drink down my new white tee. Oh, the irony! 12

The day went by and when I was about to leave, I was asked to cover Brit’s sift. And… I said yes! Brit stills owes for covering for her that night, but I did learn a lot that night. A stranger, from somewhere down south, came in about 11 at night, we close at midnight. He was old and ragged; he probably had a motorcycle outside. He did, and it had to be his because he was the only one in the restaurant. He was in my section, too. Therefore, I took a deep breath and headed into the unknown.13

“How may I help you, sir?” I asked, outing on my best fake smile.14

He smiled a crooked smile back, “There is no need for ‘sir’ and I just would like a couple of ketchup packets, please.”15

“Okay, I’ll be back with your ketchup packets soon.” I said wondering why he would want with just ketchup packets.16

I came back with ten packets on my tray and glad that no one would see me just holding ketchup to a table. I set the tray on the table and asked, “Is that all?”17

“Yea, that’s all. Why don’t you sit and talk?” He asked in a nice way.18

As he asked that question, I felt strange in his presents. Therefore, I gave him a little white lie, “I can’t, I have to fill the salt and stuff up again so they are ready in the morning.”19

“C’mon, I know that’s a lie. I saw you filling them earlier at around nine or ten.”20

Should I run or stay? Nevertheless, he must of sense my false sense of trust in him, for he next said, “Don’t think I’m a creep. I was thinking of where I should eat outside, since this McDonald is the closest restaurant to the interstate. Just sit and talk to me, you look tired from standing all day.”21

I sat down and he raised his hand; I shook it and he mentioned to me, “By the way, my name is Gregger or Greg for short. You don’t need to say your name it’s on your nametag. Right, Delilah?”22

We talked and talked, but I finally asked why he wanted the ketchup packets. I took out a stack of tacos from Taco Bell. He told me, he loved ketchup with tacos, but they don’t give out ketchup at Taco Bell. I laughed at that, but I figured it understandable. Well, our conversation ended as the restaurant was closing. I went out front to my car and he went to his bike. I heard him leave first, I was still uneasy about him. Then I took to my car, but it would not start! I looked to see if the cook, Louie, had left already. He had! I got so mad, I had no cell phone and the place was locked up! I got so mad, I shouted and cursed the heavens for this a cursed day.23

I still don’t know if that was a bad thing or a good thing, for Greg came back. He said he heard me shouting so he came around. Well, he gave me a ride home, but he made a pit stop. He mentioned that it was the only reason he came to town and it would be just a quick stop. I had to see it, too. I began to worry when he took me to the out skirts of the city. He stopped at a circle of small stores and took my hand to help me of the bike, but I declined.24

He led me to the hot dog stand and small talked to the clerk. We then set out across the dirt circle, closing in on a small building that was a dark purple, blending into the dark night. There was a neon light above the door saying: Full Moon Night. I bet it had a bad rep for cruel pictures and remarks. I bit my bottom lip as he knocked on the door.25

Knock…26

Knock…27

Knock…28

A pretty woman wrapped in old-perfume-smelling-afghans swung the door open releasing smoke. She was smoking a purple pipe and as the fog of swirling smoke floated away on the winds, she notice the man and hugged him like an old mother seeing a son for the first time in ten years. She hurried us in after her and Greg exchanged greetings. The weirdest part of my life came to play then, as we entered that old purple building…29

“C’mon… C’mon. Don’t feel unwanted, sit, sit.” She struggled to pull chairs up to her horseshoe table.30

“Now tell Madam Full Moon,” I held a giggle in at that point, not wanting to be rude, “why your have come on this night, Greg and who your friend is.”31

“Well, this is my sister Jennifer. She thinks she has the ‘EyE’.” He used bunny ears to have more of an effect on ‘eye’, “And this is Delilah.”32

We exchanged greetings and handshakes, then Greg continued, “I was just going through town and Delilah’s car broke down. So, me, being a kind citizen, is going to give her a ride home.”33

“Fine, but if a customer comes in your out!” She said, but I knew she wouldn’t. She missed and loved her brother too much.34

They chatted and shared old memories and stories. Every now-&-then I would add a comment or share my own memories. It lasted well into the night, it was as if we were all old friends who had not seen each other since high school and the uneasiness about trusting them faded away. I knew that they were not going to hurt me; however, I was scared that Brit would get worried about me, but she is probably out at the bar or a party. Greg was kind and when I yawned at four in the morning, he said he better get me home, but Jennifer want to read me my cards or palm. I did not want her holding my sweat palm, so instead I choose the cards. I still don’t know if that was a good or bad idea, too. 35

“Well, the cards never lie, but I want to hold my tongue.” Jennifer said as she looked at the cards, “They say you had trouble in your past and that your life is always a pattern; good years then bad years. There is love, but it does not say what happens in the end. The cards are holding something; they don’t want to show it.”36

She pulled the card from the top of the deck with shaking hands and placed it face up slowly drawing away. The death symbol was facing me, right in my face.37

“It- It doesn’t say who. It may be you or someone close to you, but someone will die.” I stared at her, and then ran not wanting to know anymore. Nevertheless, she did shout at my back, “I’m sorry!”38

Greg stayed in there, only coming out after some time. He tried to embrace me, but I shrugged him off. Therefore, he led the way to the motorcycle. On our way, home Greg tried small talk, but it did not hold. I was silent, I didn’t know what to think or if I should trust what the cards said. Jennifer’s words rang in my ears, ‘…but someone will die…’ We came to my house only twenty minutes after leaving the Full Moon Night; he led me to my door, but stopped and held my arms tight. He did not want me to go inside and fall to pieces, he wanted to comfort me and make me feel better.39

“Listen to me, don’t listen to that crap. Just settle and listen to me.” Somehow, his ruff voice and words did settle me and I wanted to listen to him, “Cards are cards. When they're dealt, they don’t tell or say a story or tell anything, they are cards. Nothing can be told from objects, only living things can tell lies, the truth, and small spoken stories.”40

He sat and talked to me for hours, saying comforting words and embarrassing stories of his past. He told of what he wanted and how he came to be a traveler. He wanted to see the world, follow the road that does on and on. One thing he said really made a different in my life…41

“I told you how I became a biker, but do you know why? Well, ever since I was a boy and my step-dad owned a bike of his own, I want to follow that road. I always said that that there road,” Greg pointed to the road in front of us, “will always lead to a new place, to a new story, to a new road. The lines are my guide and the wind is my compass. I have heard so many things and seen so many things that it always seemed right in the end.” Greg knew what he was saying and I felt at peace by listening to this old man’s words.42

“Th- Thank you, Greg.” I hiccupped, “I think I need to go to bed now.”43

“Sure, it was nothing. And I hope that some day we meet again real soon.” He walked down my drive to his bike, ready to leave and not looking back. Onward to see new things, but always remember me in the end as one of those people you never forget.44

I slid into my house, worming my way to my room and familiar bed. I fell sleep with my ketchup stained uniform on with no cares or regrets in my mind. Not even worried about the days ahead and what lied in them.45

I learned something that day, but I never remembered it. It makes the days that past by harder to work through cause I know I know it, but never can remember it. He said it, however it slipped away that night from my mind and now I need to know what it was to continue with my life. That is the one thing I should never have forgotten and now I am lost without it. Now I need it, but I will continue telling my story…46

Chapter 2 – The Pound was a Pound47