Good Times

“You’re so bad

Best thing I ever had

In a world gone mad

you’re so bad”

-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

There are people out there that have never been in a fight.

That was immediately evident during our first altercation.

There are people out there that cover their mouths when they cuss.

People out there that have never bought a pack of smokes.

That have never tried pot.

Never been drunk.

or woke up naked, or paid for a hooker, or drove 100 miles per hour, or shot a gun, or been in jail, or set something on fire, even.  

How do you make it to adulthood like that?

I tried to hate Clark, but I felt sorry for him.  It seems like he never had a good time in his life.

Clark was a pansy, but must have been sent to karate classes as a kid.  Maybe, I’ll give him a chance.  After all, he needs a guy like me around.  He won’t make it far on his own.

There are people out there that have never had a true friend.

That was immediately evident during our first altercation.

There are people out there that have never been in love.

People out there that have never bought a bouquet of flowers.

That have never had a pet.

Never been to church.

or held a baby, or smelled a bandaid, or been to camp, or played in the rain, or had wine with dinner, or even enjoyed a good book.

How do you make it to adulthood like that?

I tried to hate Dave, but it seems like he never had a good time in his life.

Dave was a bully, but he could back it up.  Maybe, I should give him a chance.  After all, he needs a guy like me around.  He won’t make it far on his own.

At the same time the two put the fingertips of a flattened palm into the other in the universal “time-out” sign.  Dave was sitting in broken glass propped on one elbow.  Clark’s back was arched in response to the broken coffee table underneath him.  Both had bloody noses and swollen knuckles.  But just like that, the fight was over and their  hands clasped yin to the yang and one pulled the other to his feet.  

“C’mon, let’s go grab a-”  they told one another at the same time,

“-beer.”  Dave said.

“-soda.” Clark said.

“Whatever.  You’re buying.”

“Water, then.”

The sudden realization that they were not alone.  Standing in the doorway__________...