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MILLION DOLLAR SMILE

Steve De France

“My uncle owns a lake in Tennessee.
A Boathouse&Jacuzzi and a king-sized bed
& mirrors on all walls&ceiling.
Jet skis tied-up at his private pier.
I can’t wait to show it off to my boy friend.
Troy will love itÉ he works at Costco.
15 years now&still can’t get off weekends,”
She smiles, “You’re getting a little thin on top.”
I nod my head in agreement&stare
Out the window at the freeway
Which is hardly ever free.
A battle-ground as people fight
Their way toward another kind
Of steaming hell at home or work.
Listlessly I watch cars prowling
Like angry ants swarming on asphalt.
Heat waves bend my view. 110 in L.A.
There is no pattern to traffic anymore.
People work&live anywhere &
They go to&fro at anytime.
“I can’t wait to get in that big bed&
Let it all hang-out.”
I look at her leviathan legs&walrus-shaped hips.
“How’s Tennessee in August?” I ask.
“Hot&humid. You go outsideÉ
You’re drenched in 5 minutes.”
“How’s swimming in the lake?”
“Full of water moccasins.”
“Really? How do you water ski?”
“The snakes are mainly toward the shore.”
“Oh,” I said. “Doesn’t sound too healthy.”
“I worry more ‘bout giant mosquitoes.
They gnaw the life right out of the body.”
She pats me on my bald spot.
“There you go honey.”
I stand-up&slip her a five.
She smiles through a snaggle
Of tobacco stained teeth.
“You going on vacation?”
“Nope, I gotta work.”
“Whatta ya do?”
“I’m a snake-wrangler
at a poisonous reptile lab.”
“Gee that sounds really interesting.”
She stares at me with a real hunger
“Well if you ever get lonelyÉ give me a call.”
She smiles her million-dollar smile
as I head for the Freeway.



Scars Publications


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