The Financial Lives Of the Poets

CHAPTER 21

CHUCK TAKES A STEP back and

looks at me like I’m crazy.

Oh I’m crazy, all right! A crazy man

with a crazy glowing watch!

Fans whir; warehouse breezes blow through Lumberland.

“I’m sorry, but this is just…kind of weird,” Chuck says.

“Yeah, I know,” I say, “but I felt awful about yesterday-”

“Look, it’s really fine,” Chuck interrupts me.

“This seemed like a good way to apologize-”

“Really, it’s not necessary-”

“So much stress with this economy-”

“I promise you, it’s just fine-”

“I’m telling you, this is really good stuff-”

“I’m sure it is, but I’m not interested,” Chuck says sternly.

Come on…“It’s a great price-”

“Look, I don’t mean to offend you, but I don’t smoke pot.”

My watch glows with failure, picks up my insane laugh.

“Never too late to start!” I practically yell.

I cannot buy a break in this life.