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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Book excerpt: Jimmy ponders the concept of Karma


...Jimmy did as he said he would, then hurried down to the beach. He thought about the phenomenon of Karma as he trotted down the steps. He didn’t believe in the idea, mostly because he could not see what he had ever done to deserve the treatment he typically received from Cindy. He felt pangs of guilt over leaving her in such a state, but it was not a fatal event, as she believed it to be. He reasoned his indifference was solely a result of her actions; so in that respect, Karma was in full force this morning.
Philosophy gave way to longing when he reached the beach to find Solange still waiting for him.
“You are late,” was all she said to him before beginning her run.
Jimmy set out after her, his eyes feeling like marbles rattling around in an empty skull with every step he took. He gave up on keeping pace with her. He swore he could smell beer and vodka oozing out of his pores as he ran.
    
 When he reached the rock jetty, Jimmy waded in, and splashed water onto his face and hair. His headache was beginning to fade, but the lethargy associated with too much alcohol and too little sleep remained. When he waded around, he was surprised to see Solange had been waiting for him on the other side. With her arms folded, legs spread slightly apart, and feet firmly planted in the sand, she looked like an impatient drill instructor…if not for the curve-hugging boy shorts and bra top.
     The sky was beginning to darken, and the wind warned of an upcoming shower. Grey sheets of water spilled from the clouds over the ocean, separated by quickly vanishing rays of sunlight.
     “Oh shit!” Jimmy exclaimed.
     Solange was looking past him towards the sky. “Allons-y!” she implored. 
     They ran towards the refuge of the restaurant as large droplets of rain became more and more frequent. By the time they reached the shelter offered by the wooden roof, the shower had become a deluge, battering the building like sticks on a hundred snare drums. They were both thoroughly soaked....


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