fantasy of the day
Water falls lazily from eaves and the leafless branches of winter maples. Those drips are the only sounds that break through Sunday afternoon quiet until a distant splash tells me that a vehicle has made the turn onto Soquel. Just as I twist to gauge the time I have to jump back from the gutter I realize that I'm already too late. Spooge and broken glass, drowned worms and motor oil suddenly coat my left side. I whimper at the shock of cold but silently rejoice at having averted my face in time.For a moment I stare down at my coat and begin to peel apart the damp layers beneath. The stained wad of tissue that was a frothy silk lace blouse a moment ago has such a dismaying effect that it takes a moment to hear the voice behind me. "Jeez, I'm sorry. That was really stupid of me. I have some paper towels. Hang on a sec here." The driver is a twentysomething guy with an apologetic smile. I start to sop the water from my clothes as he continues to mumble. "We could give you a ride wherever you'