Winter Season

Black shadow

Oscar was sitting at a picnic table outside eating his lunch. It had turned out to be a warm sunny fall day. He was working on his lesson plan as he ate very slowly the potato stroganoff that she’d made. It hadn’t bothered him when he ate it for dinner; so here goes round two, he thought to himself.

A large black shadow overtook him and loomed over where he sat. When he looked up from his bowl, Chaz was sitting down in front of him.

“For what do I owe the pleasure?” Oscar asked.

Chaz sat without a word. Oscar could only assume he was staring at him. He couldn’t see through the mirrored aviator glasses. Finally Chaz said, “I can’t decide if I want to try to get to know you better or stump your ass.”

“You’ve been wanting to kick my ass since the first day you met me.”

“Oh, you’re good.” He hissed.

“How’d you even get in here?”

“Oh, all you have to do is flash a badge.” Chaz shrugged.

Oscar tried to ignore him; thinking, hoping that he would just go away. But he was wrong. “What do you want?” He finally conceded.

“I just wanted to size you up. I wanted to take a good long look at the man that finally got under Esther’s skin.”

“Am I to assume you couldn’t?”

“Didn’t try too hard, but I would have enjoyed the opportunity. The two of you seem like polar opposites to me.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“True, only what I can read on paper.”

“I only have 30 minutes.”

“Look,” Chaz paused. “I care a great deal about Esther.” He pointed a very large finger at Oscar. “Don’t you hurt her.” Chaz continued to set there. After several minutes, he leaned in closer. “I know you can’t answer this for me, but help me put together the pieces, New York has changed her.”

“You’re right. I can’t help you.”

“So what did you do?”

“I don’t follow.”

“Did you get down on your knees and beg? Did you cry? Did you promise her the moon if she would turn me down?”

Oscar was confused. “Turn you down, what are you talkin’ about?”

“Esther told me she wasn’t interested in the job.”

Oscar was stunned. “She did?”

“Yeah, and I’m assumin’ Lover Boy that it has everything to do with you.” Chaz sucked air between his tongue and his teeth, “that’s one mighty fine ring you put on her finger.”

Oscar just sat there looking bewildered.

The shadow that was Chaz left.

Winter Season