The Coat
By lubbles
- 414 reads
The Coat
Hazel walked slowly through the market crowds. Her eyes
Searching for a bargain. She loved the search. The Saturday flea
Market was the ideal place to look for treasure. The sun was high and
her
Feet ached from the heat. As she stood up from rummaging in a
Box, she saw the man. It was the coat that she recognised
"Caught you", she said playfully.
He turned. Hazel put her hand to her mouth.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry but I thought you were my dad."
" Sorry to disappoint you love", he said, laughing at her
embarrassment.
She noted the accent. Polish.
The mans hair curled over his collar and the eyes that stared back at
her were blue and watery. The overgrown eyebrows ate up the frownlines
on his forehead. He looked neglected.
"Well happy hunting " she said and with a wave turned back into the
bustle of the market.
Walking into the butcher's shop Hazel watched as the man searched
through abox of bric-a-brac.
She bought a frozen chicken and a pound of roast pork.
Through the window she saw the man heading away.
She followed and watched him turn into Paradise Row, bed-sit
land.
At number eight he opened a door and went inside.
She turned and headed home, saddened.
Hazel stood in her kitchen making up sandwiches.
Sweat trickled down the backs of her ears. Despite the warmth of the
summer the central heating was on. A grey cat mewed.
Later that morning Hazel sat in the park across from number eight
Paradise Row. Soon the man appeared. He watched the children
playing.
Hazel waved. The man walked towards her.
" The flea market four days ago. I've brought lunch for two but my
friend is ill, this summer bug", she explained.
" Please join me, there's enough" she told him.
The man sat down beside her. Hazel handed him a sandwich wrapped in
cling film, as she chatted on, he appeared lost in thought as he
watched the children at play. They ate heartily and when the food was
finished Hazel left the man resting in the warmth of the sun.
Sam lay on his bed in his attic home. His body felt weak and tender,
his head ached. A bucket of stale vomit caused an unbearable
stench.
The roof window was open but he had no ease from the heat of the
night.
This summer bug he thought and shivered violently.
In the kitchen of her home hazel poured a cold beer into along glass.
She read the ' RECIPE FOR TODAY' that was pinned to the fridge with a
magnet.
SAM-LE-MAN
1. DEFROST ONE FROZEN CHICKEN.
2. COLLECT THE BLOOD AND PLACE IN A PLASTIC SPRAY.
3. SPRAY THE ROAST PORK AND PUT IN A PLASTIC BAG.
4. STORE IN A WARM PLACE FOR THIRTYSIX HOURS.
5. MAKE SANDWICHES.
6. REMEMBER WHAT HE DID WHEN YOU WERE SEVEN.
Hazel put down her glass and turned off the lights.
"Goodnight cat" she said.
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