Joe's World 2 - Memories

I was moody after I emailed Vince. I sometimes get that way after talking to him. He is a good friend but sometimes just sees the old me: the angry me. I was angry once and for good reason. I am healed now.

I went and grabbed a beer and sat watching TV. Some politician was rambling on about the great things they were going to do for Victoria. As if anything would change this place. I scowled and switched it off.

I may be healed but I can't forget or forgive. The pain and fear that drove Mary away freed me to be myself. She left me when I needed her, but by doing so she set me free. I shouldn't fool myself. It isn't Mary I hate: it's that kid. Donny.

Donny was 15 and half crazy. He hung around the store I worked at and drank with his friends. He had a big ego and an even bigger chip on his shoulder. He would call everyone he disliked names like 'queer', 'faggot' and so on. His friends were called such endearing terms as 'dipshit' and 'fuckhead'. He was an asshole.

The problem with Donny was that I liked him or I wanted to. I knew he was gay because I had sat with him in Zombies. How or why he ended up in the bar I don't know but he was friendly to me and I was nervous being there. I wasn't going to do anything of course but I enjoyed our visit. Donny could be quite nice when he was drunk.

We chatted and then he grabbed my crotch. I panicked and pushed his hand away. The people at the next table just laughed and went back to their business. Donny got angry and left. I sat there feeling stupid and lonely. I went home alone that night.

The next morning he shows up at the store and is his usual self. I try to be nice to him and he pulls away.

"Don't touch me faggot" he yells. His friends laugh. He feels braver and starts to insult me even more. I ask him to leave the store and my manager comes out.

Donny says to the manager:

"This guy tried to grope me! I'm only 15!"

George, the manager, glared at me and tried to sooth the boy. He always gave in to customers especially if they made noise. George was usually a wimp and that day he was no different. Stupid ass.

We finally got Donny to leave and it was quiet for the rest of the day. I went home and Mary was there. She was angry because I didn't go to her place the night before.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

"I just popped into a few bars. I didn't stay long anywhere."

I could see she didn't buy that. We chatted for a bit and she left for work. I wondered if anyone had seen me at Zombies. I hoped not.

Things were quiet for a few days. I mostly stayed home and Mary avoided me. I didn't mind. I needed to think.

On the following Friday my shift changed to graveyards. Normally that wasn't a problem but this was exam time and the students would be relieving pent up stress. It was going to be a wild night.

It was fairly quiet until 11pm. Three cars pulled up in front of the store and the teenagers got out and talked with some people. Nobody came into the store. They seemed to be waiting for something.

About five minutes later another car pulled up and out stepped Donny. He staggered a bit and seemed drunk. He headed toward the door.

Continued...