Mitchell

I got a cup of coffee for myself
and a hot chocolate for Mitchell,
the security guard

I felt bad for him
a 6 am to 6 am shift isn't good for anyone

especially when they do it to you every other week

he told me god would find a way to work it out

I sipped my coffee
"Yeah," I said
"shit has a way of falling together."

Upstairs
the huge gala was in full swing
"celebrate good times!"
blaring from the DJ's sound system

Mitchell began to nod off

he came to

"You like football?"

"Yeah, a little. I missed the game last week.
I mostly watch hockey and baseball."

"Oh! The Hawks!
They're tied for first!"

His head began to slump again

I got up

"Alright, Mitchell."

"Alright, man. Thanks for the hot chocolate."

"No problem."

I walked off

I lost a bunch of money on my fight parlays
and couldn't remember if I clocked in

Mitchell stared off into nothingness
at the wall
somewhere beyond

and they danced

drunk on money
that fell from the sky

somewhere beyond that wall

they danced

© 2011 Lee Kitzis