I woke up Tuesday morning to a surprising peacefulness in the air. I wondered what could possibly be different today to make the air in my house still and calm... then I realized - Alexander hadn't woken up yet. Damnit. I went to Alexander's room to see why he wasn't promptly up at 7:25 like he usually is. I walked in his dark room, which before he got there was one of the guest rooms which was always nicely done and properly cleaned. On the contrary, now the room was littered with his some 6 pairs of shoes... which were all purchased by me... his soccer bag and soccer clothes, his dirty clothes from the day before... no maybe the week before, and other garbage.
"Alexander, it's 7:30, don't you need to get up to be ready for school?"
"I'm not going to school today grandma, I feel like shit," he said, shortly.
"Well ok, but I am not going to be here at all today because I am going to play mahjong and my friend Minnie is making me go to a tai chai class," I told him.
"You're not going to be here? Then what am I supposed to do? Just lay around dying? Can you at least buy me some more roast beef at Oscar's before you come home? he asked... quite demandingly I might add.
"Sure thing Alexander, just sleep in and I'll be home later."
I left the dark room and ended up having the best morning I could remember. I didn't have to worry about setting out Alexander's breakfast promptly before he came out of his morning shower, or have to deal with his pleads for taking the car to school that day. No, instead I was able to watch the morning news (Not SportsCenter like Alexander watched every morning despite my miseries) and drink my coffee. I left around 11 and Alexander had moved to the living room where he was lounging around, eating chips, and playing video games. He said he just felt too terrible to go into school at all. I told him I would call him later when I was leaving Mahjong. I met up with my friend Minnie who was always pushing me to be more active. I know I don't seem like the type to cuss by she was beginning to be an annoying bitch. I'm 82-years-old, I don't need to be doing tai chai.. or yoga.. or any other shit like that.
I had a terrible time like usual in the tai chai class... Minnie walked out of it like it was some orgasmic experience... she sickens me sometimes. I told her I had to cut our play-date short because I had to go to Oscar's before it closed for Alexander.
I walked into Oscar's and like usual he greeted me nicely. He was such a nice man all the time. Nobody treated me the way he did. He was so charming and kind.. old-fashioned. They just don't make men like him anymore. Not since the 50s had I remembered men like his kind. I ordered 2 lbs of roast beef (Alexander eats like crazy) and got my usual 2 lbs at the price of one senior citizen discount. I guess it might be the only upside of being on the brink of death... people feel bad for you and give you more shit for less money so you can be put out of your misery.
I sat down waiting for Oscar to finish cutting my roast beef and a man that was familiar walked up to me. I am pretty sure he was that Machelli guy who was always in Oscar's talking to Oscar in the back.
"Hello Ms. Pearl, how are you today? You look lovely," he said... chillingly.
"I'm fine... who are you," I asked, frightened.
"Name's Machelli, but that's irrelevant. Have you seen a sketchy looking character wandering around the upper floors of Washington heights? Smells kinda funny... kinda fat too?" He asked.
"Can't say I have. Is he some sort of milk man?" I asked.
"Never mind it old lady, I think your meat's ready anyways, See ya later."
He winked to Oscar and walked briskly out of the store, stepping into some foreign vehicle and zooming away. Oscar gave me the meat and a hug like he usually did. I walked outside and the damn wind was blowing harder than I can remember.
"Shit, my hair is going to be ruined isn't it?" I thought.
I will definitely have to go to the beauty parlor again for this. I just went yesterday. I don't know what is going to happen first; either I am going to go to the poor house or I'm going to die first.
I got my cell phone out of my purse to call Alexander but before I could punch in the speed dial number it showed that he was already calling me.
"Grandma where are you? It's like 4:15!?" He asked... politely of course.
"I'm on my way Alexander don't you worry... I hope you're feeling better," I said.
"Yeah I am feeling better but I'm hungry and need some food. I got to take a piss so I gotta go, I'll see you soon, bye grandma!"
He hung up the phone as I walked into the Washington Heights. I got in the elevator and even though I was going up I felt like I was actually spiralling down to hell.
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Oscar Alcazar
Grandma Pearl's aging behind waddled across the street. A white paper bag, stenciled with red cursive, reading "Oscar's," swung at her hip. "There's a good customer," Oscar said to himself. "Thank god little Alexader has the appetite of a rabid polar bear."
He slunk down into his Cadillac and rolled down to the bar. As he entered Machelli was in a heated argument with grimy young rapscallion, trying to pass off a fake ID. "Get the hell out! Do you know who I am? Boy I will find where you live, hunt down your family, and...." Oscar grabbed the kid by his collar and slung him out the door.
"Robby Mac! How's business?"
"As you can see, it's going pretty smooth my friend. Come on upstairs."
The upstairs was carpeted, floor to ceiling, with plush animal furs. This was the high life. For sure. Machelli poured Oscar a drink, and his massive hand enveloped the glass. "Life's good my man, life's good."
"That's good to hear," Oscar replied. They made small talk for a few minutes, before Oscar trudged home to flip his sign. He was hoping for a big night.
As the Caddy rolled into the parking lot, Oscar glanced across at the towering apartment building. Marissa's high heels clicked as she strutted into the front door. Before the glass door shut behind her, she looked back and motioned to Oscar. Oh yeah, she beckoned him alright. She wanted a little Columbian coconut, and he wasn't gonna say no.
"Eh, the store can wait." Oscar lumbered across the street to the welcoming lair of Basement Babe.
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