#75
When Jill called to say that they were going down to the pier to have a few beers, I knew it would be a longer night than I had planned on.
Later, the dog was tempted to jump into the dark water. Jill had on cut off jean shorts and a tank top. Ed, her friend, was peeing off the dock.
Jill: here, they’re still cold.
I cracked open a beer and drank half in one go. The dog went for it and jumped in.
The night was warm, hot even, my shirt was sticking to my back. The radio was on, a local station which at this time of night played mostly jazz.
Ed: so, how long have you known Jill?
That was an honest question but I didn’t know the answer.
Me: oh, awhile now.
Jill and I used to dance together. I met her because she worked at the photo lab where I’d sometimes go to print some of my slides.
Jill: I met him at the photo lab.
I drained the rest of the beer, and Jill opened another.
There was thunder in the distance. The lightening breaking open the darkness to the west. Rain in an hour or so, I could smell it.
Me: probably rain in about an hour.
We sat there in silence. The dog was out of the water, laying, licking the droplets off his paws in the grass. Fireflies buzzed low to the ground. The air was still.