A very disgruntled Eric sat across from me at Mocha Daze.
"Steve's bringing cash," I ventured, thinking that the big bucks ideamight sway him.
It didn't.
"I still think you're making a mistake."
"Miss Pouty Pants, I took your advice...initially. It justdoesn't fit with the situation I'm stuck in. No time, Charley'sdaughter breathing down my neck, an empty checkbook, mounting billsand mouths to feed. What else am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know," he said and shrugged. "Just don't go asking me for anyadvice in the future."
"Okay, be all that, then."
"All what?"
"Childish." I could tell neither one of us wanted this conversation togo in this direction, but we were too angry to stop it.
"Look, I've had a really bad day," he said, standing up, flushedred in the face with anger. "I don't need your crap, Hugo."
"Eric, don't...," I said, holding my hands out to him.
"I'll talk to you, later." And he left.
"If I was gay and wanted a tattoo, I'd get something with a KeithHaring design," said Kevin, in the middle of our 'What kind oftattoo should Hugo get?' discussion.
"Haring's cool!" piped in Brian by the cash register.
"Which design, though? The dog? The glowing baby?" I asked.
"One of each!" said Brian.
"Yeah, naked dancing ladies are dumb and you're too old for thetribal stuff," added Kevin.
"I'll have you know, young man, that I'm not too old for anything."
"Except hair!" added Brian.
I threw a dishrag at him and gazed out at the colorful sunset. Thepollution made the sky look like a bruise, purple and red withstreaks of yellow.
"There's too much talking going on here," I said. "Go clean something."
"Yes, Master," said Kevin, grabbing a broom and bowing majestically.
"Master Hugo. I like the sound of that," I said, striking my best'King & I' pose.
"Makes you sound like a leather Daddy."
I didn't need to turn around to see who made that smart remark. Instead,I imagined myself in a leather biker jacket and cap, chaps andboots. Chains criss-crossing my chest. Reflective glasses. Acigar clenched in my teeth. "It'd be quite a make-over, wouldn'tit?" I turned around and looked at the boys, who were trying tosuppress their giggling.
"You'd look like you were in a costume," said Kevin.
"We're all wearing costumes, doll," I said, indicating his CircleJerks t-shirt and torn jeans. "Whether it's Armani or Levis."
