Hangdrop

Going Back to the Scene

His ankle throbbed from the long walk and the cold and being out of weed.

Legal now. Who would have guessed?

There were no landmarks he recognized except the gulley where the river ran, and that’s all he needed.

Stayed above it on the flat path until he knew he was close.

Didn’t want to overshoot it, so he finally cut down into the gulley, ankle howling, fingertips cold.

He slipped on some wet leaves and yelled in anger. When he stopped sliding he realized the leaves had done him a favor, got him about halfway down.

He looked at the river, wider than he remembered it.

Funny how a TV show can change your life. Now kids watched what they wanted whenever they wanted.

He used to whip his Bic against the wall in frustration if he missed his favorite shows.

Him and Darren, they missed Air Wolf that day. 

Got high, watched a news show, not really watching, just a glowing box in the room until Hugh Downs said “The police have a new weapon against crime.”