Wisdom

O'Shaughnassey knows.

Steamers and kelp (pt. 1)

Pete was out of work by 3:00. 

He called Bill on his way out of the city and was back home at 3:25.

It was a quick walk back to the shed where he grabbed the big 5 gallon bucket and his collapsable surf-cast setup. Careful not to set the hook in the upholstery, he loaded the gear into the car and pulled out of the driveway. It was only a ten minute ride to the Yacht Club where Bill was to meet him. 

Pete called up his folks from the road and arranged to meet his old man for a drink at the Club bar before Bill arrived. The bar was busy in the early afternoon so he parked in the public lot, right above the big three foot corrugated drainage pipe. In the old days, he had always wanted to explore the drainage system but had been discouraged by the rats he saw sometimes at night. Pete adjusted his tie in the rearview mirror and walked over to the club. His old man was already waiting on the wooden deck, leaning on the rail that stood between the platform and the water. Both father and son went in to the bar together. All the tall mahogany seats were occupied by familiar characters. Burl, a brown toothed regular had his usual seat by the door. Here Burl was in the unique position to greet any newcomers with his awkward and vulgar brand of humor until they managed to steal away to another side of the bar.

Pete had known Burl since he was a boy and had grown to dislike him more as the years went by. The old man had an admirable patience with Burl but Pete just felt like knocking the goddamned baked-bean teeth out of his head every time he went to the bar. 

Pete ordered a draught Sierra Nevada for himself and a cabernet for the old man. They managed to escape from Burl, excusing themselves due to the heat - and went back out to the deck. They set themselves and their drinks down at the sturdy umbrella table the club had just bought the year before. The Magic and Lakers had the finals tied up and they mostly talked about that and fishing. 

Pete drank his beer fast. It was cold and good and he just finished it when he saw Bill's car pull in to the lot.