Queen's Park

CHAPTER 12

“Get me one of those no fat cones,” Marvin sat on the bench outside of Buster’s Ice Cream Shoppe.

“You’re kiddin’, right?” Les said.

“Nope. Tangerine. Get me tangerine.”

“Suppose you’re gonna join Weight Watchers too!”

“Maybe,” Marvin said.

“You make me sick!” Lester said.

“Hmmmm.”

“You get so damned optimistic when life’s in the toilet.”

Marv hooked his thumbs in his suspenders and smiled at the cool feel of sweaty fabric against cooler wood. He leaned his head to the right and sniffed an armpit. “We gotta go to the cleaners.”

“We’re nearly outta money. Remember?”

“We got enough for ice cream, right?”

Les reached inside his jacket pocket, made a fist and opened his palm. Four twoonies lay there. Three polar bears and one Queen’s head. “This is just about it.”

“Got a good feelin’ today. Things are gonna turn around.” Marvin interlocked fingers across his belly.

Les opened the door to Buster’s and stepped inside. The words of an Elvis tune seeped out, “Return to sender, address unknown, no such number, no such zone.”

Marvin looked east. A pair of cars eased around the corner. He focused on the headlights, watching for that electric blue of luxury cars.

There!

A silver car with two blue electric lights. The car rode low. It had the look of solid confidence and pride. A 500 SL Mercedes coupe!

A good omen! Marv smiled.