10. getting closer to unlimited soups and
salads ...
10. getting closer to unlimited soups and
salads
Linda is smiling.
The ex-boy is smiling.
The ex-girl is smiling.
Bukowski is still hopping up and
down on the couch like a monkey as the street organ continues its song.
The ex-girl reaches into her pocket
and takes out the quarter tip she got from the lady who uses pizza as a murder
weapon. She walks over to Bukowski jumping on the couch and drops the quarter
in the tin cup.
This excites Bukowski and his
hopping and jumping becomes even more exuberant.
“Thank you,” says Linda on her
monkey’s behalf.
“You’re welcome. But there goes our
Olive Garden fund,” the ex-girl says.
Linda walks into the bedroom and
returns with her purse.
“Here,” she says, reaching inside.
“This is for the pizza. And keep the change. That should help you two get to
The Olive Garden.”
Linda hands the ex-girl $40.
“Oh, thank you. That’s so very sweet
of you, darling. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Glad I could help.
Besides, I guess we’re all trying to get to our own Olive Garden one way or
another, aren’t we?”
The ex-girl nods.
The ex-boy nods.
Linda nods.
Nods all around.
Getting closer to unlimited soups
and salads.
The three of them stand there in
silence, each reflecting on their own private pilgrimage to The Olive Garden.
The music coming from the street
organ suddenly comes to a stop.
But Bukowski, however, doesn’t stop.
He continues hopping up and down on
the couch like a monkey, the quarter rattling around in the tin can as he does
so, sounding like beautiful music itself.
