Wednesday September 11 2013

[i]

Waking up just before 1 p.m.

I have a lunch date with my ex-girlfriend, Margot, at Baker's Crust. A few days ago she asked to do this. There are no intentions or hidden agendas to rekindle anything. It's just a brief catch-up. I order the Tuna Salad Sandwich with their Homemade Chips. She informs me on her latest boy ventures and some iPhone app that helps sort of match-make you with locals. She hasn't changed much, still keeping her nightlife strong. Still naïve. Still beautiful. I update her on the things going on in my life. She goes into detail with this guy she's been seeing for the past week. I'm not much interested in the details. But she seems happy and satisfied with everything. We talk about the dangers of getting into the rut of meeting a variety of people for short periods of time and then moving on so quickly.

...

Outside in the Hilltop parking lot. It's one of the hottest days. Mingling for a little bit and hugging each other goodbye.

Her: "See you later."

Me: "Okay. See you around."

Sipping on Honey Green Tea and doing some chores.

At the storage unit tracking more drum tracks for Vaginasaurs.

Then, at the basketball courts playing a boring game of 21 with four street baller brothers.

At the house. Bobby picked up two other Bulgarian couch surfers from the bus station, Marina and Stella. After inspecting the extensive decorations on the walls one of the girls comments, "I feel like I'm in a museum."

Me: "Well the admission is free!"

Talking with them in the living room about conspiracies and heightened security in America (in light of the 9-11 anniversary).

Kale, Edamame, and Tomato Salad. Sicilian Style Pizza.

Richie's in the dining room completing his mural on a kick drum. Laron and Kevin eventually show up.

Then Ana arrives. I take her to the storage unit to teach her a Vaginasaurs song. It's apparent she's an amateur guitar player. It's just not an instrument she's proficient at like she is at the piano. I know this. She knows this. But she's the kind of person who is determined and likes to learn new things. I notice how impatient I get when teaching. I don't mean to be and I try to play it off sarcastically.

...

We leave. I stop for gas at the Wawa. I can tell she's discouraged and closed up. Before I get out to pump the gas I reach over and smother her with a few kisses. It seems to perk her up a bit.

Back home.

Laron walks in while we're fixing up our iced lemon waters and asks, "What's crack-a-lackin guys?"

I turn around with an ice cube and slam it on the floor causing the cube to crack into pieces. "That's what's crack-a-lackin, Laron!"

Laron: "Whoa!"

Me: "It's onomatopoeia."

He looks at Ana and adds, "You mean ANA-matopoeia."

In my bedroom I share The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) with Ana. Snacking on Popcorn and Peaches.

Sleep at 6 a.m.?

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[i] The Place Beyond the Pines logo.