Black and Blue

Skinhead Cid and Perfect Ricky were standing outside when I sauntered up to the venue; alone. Cid had already managed a black eye, and the two were completely wasted. Ricky gave me 26 dollars, and a fat man with the letters "DMS" tattooed down his calf grabbed my arm and led me inside.

Cid and I found a good spot next to the AMPs. He made me squish his eye, then showed me his beer gut like he did every time we were re-united. "Jimmy and I really miss fucking this town up with you kiddo, you know that right?" he slurred, as he brought a washcloth filled with ice to his eye. I patted the landing strip he was calling hair these days, "Yeah I know. I miss it too". When it happened.

My eyes collided with the spiral of hair on the back of your head. My stomach turned into knots. I quickly looked away so you wouldn't feel me staring, because I know I can't look you square in the eyes anymore.

I saw the face you made when you noticed me, before you walked away. Instantly it turned me into a puddle of mush.

"Hey kiddo you don't look too hot!" Yelled Rusty as he took a swig of water.

"Don't you worry about that, Tee. Im as cool as a cucumber." He looked at me with that cockeyed realization that I was lying.

I saw your friends as I was leaving, and tail between my legs I walked back to my car on Avenue C. I wont be able to sleep another night, because I can not live with who I am anymore. These headaches are growing old, and I fear my eyes cannot sink any further into my skull.

At least if I knew you wanted nothing at all to do with me, I wouldn't debate talking to you for 5 hours.

Its pathetic that this is the medium I choose to reach you through. I just miss my friend.