Not So Proper

My current writing project. Enjoy and give feedback.

He had information that people needed whether they wanted it or not, life changing information. Because he fully believed a book or a band could change someone’s life. He couldn’t just tell someone about The Long Winters or The Old Man And The Sea he had to write it down on an index card, hand it to to them, and watch them put it in their pocket. It had to go in their pocket, because most likely they were drunk and he was certain that the next day they would wake up to a surprise Christmas of culture in their pocket. Their life would be changed.

David could of had a nice collection of these index cards, but didn’t. His girlfriend Nicky had half a dozen in a box, the kind of boxes girls keep in memory of old relationships. Along with the cards were a movie stub, three poems, and not a single picture of them together. They never really were together though, and the last card she kept had David’s name on it.

Lawrence Allen checked himself for index cards and a pen more than he checked himself for his wallet and keys. He would get drunk at parties and hand out the cards to people who didn’t ask for them, but clearly, at least to him, needed them. He had been single for seven months, a personal best that everyone close to him wanted to see end.

David screamed, “L.A.” as soon as L walked through the door and into the party.

L nodded, walked his was over to Dave and kissed Nicky on the cheek, “One day Dave, she’ll be mine. We’ll run away together.” L put his hands on Nicky’s shoulder, grabbing them and looking her in the eyes, “We’ll run away to any where you want.”

“Even somewhere they would never find you?”

“You hurt me, you hurt me in my heart space which is really close to my belt.”

David laughed and handed L.A. a beer, “I got someone for you to meet.”

“No you don’t.”

“She’s nice and just your type. She might even get you to stop kissing other girls.” said Nicky.

“If she makes me stop kissing you, she isn’t my type, love.”

David gave L a glance that told him to stop it, L looked back and they read each other’s minds like good friends always can. L took a long swig of his beer.

Nicky put up with L because he was there before her and because at one time she did love him, but he was also an easy man to hate. In her mind he played with her and then handed her off to David. She loved David. More than she ever loved anyone. It was a slow love though. Not fast, not how she fell for L. Then again you either hated or loved L.A. and either way you let him be because there was no changing him. She excused herself and went to the bathroom.

“When do you want me to meet this girl?”

“She’s here tonight.”

“You mother fucker.”

“It wasn’t my idea.”

“You let it happen though. You let your best friend, your hetero-life mate walk into a trap.”

“Yeah, a trap where you might get laid.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll get fucked.”

“Why are you freaking out?”

“Because I have to play nice now.”

“She’s a photographer.”

“Not another pretty girl who thinks she’s an artist because her parents bought her a SLR”

“She shoots film.”

“So a fucking hipster with a plastic camera she bought at the mall?”

“All I’m asking is for you to say hi to her.”

“And all I’m saying is that I don’t want to do it.”

“Stop being a child.”

There was a flash and the sound of a shutter.

“Hi, I’m…”

“A person that doesn’t know to use a bounce.”

“I lost it and it’s Kate”

“Hi, Kate I’m…”

“Lawrence”

L face flexed and forced a smile and there was another flash.

“I was told to calling you that would piss you off.”

“And you thought it a good idea to piss someone off the first time you meet them?”

“Just as good as telling someone how to do their job.”

“You’re getting paid to take pictures wrong at a party? What’s your day job?”

“I’m a professional photographer my art makes money, how’s this novel I hear about going?”

“Play nice, both of you. You haven’t read him and you haven’t seen her work.” Nicky said. “Kate this is L.A., he’s a writer and works with David. L.A. this is Kate, she’s a photographer and will be taking pictures at the wedding.”

Everything on L froze except for the arm pouring beer into his throat and the primitive part of his brain. “The wedding” he thought. “The wedding” he thought again and again.

“David?”

“L…”

“Outside.”

David looked back at Nicky while he walked outside, she had an apologetic face and an “oops” smile.

“Wedding?”

“L…”

“Wedding.”

“Calm…”

“Wed-fucking-ing David. A wed-fucking-ing.”

David looked down, his hand on his forehead and took a deep breath, “Yes, L a wed-fucking-ing.”

L leaned against the outside the house and David joined. Both looked forward.

“You’re getting married and you didn’t tell me.”

“It was the next logical step.”

“No, the next action in this project would have been to talk to your best friend about it.”

“We did talk.”

“Months ago.”

“You helped with the ring.”

“Months ago.” L turned on his side, looking at David. “You were supposed to tell me before you popped the questions. How’d you do it?”

“I didn’t.”

“I’m confused.”

“Nicky, Nicky proposed.”

There was a shared snort.

“She asked you?”

“Yeah, she asked me.”

L laughed, “Walk me through it.”

“We were laying in bed and she rolled over, and then she just just asked me.”

“What did you do?”

“I rolled over opened my nightstand and got the ring out, them we held each other and she cried.”

They both took a long pull of their beers and dropped them on the ground. David asked, “Inside?”

“Yep.”

“Be my best man?”

“Of course.”

“Be mine?”

“What?”

“That Kate girl is cute, I think I’m going to marry her.”

She was cute, short hair and a short dress. Brown eyes and a single dimple that anchored her crooked smile.

The boys went back in and found Nicky and Kate chatting with half empty beers. L noted that Kate was drinking a good beer, not a light lagger, he really might be able to marry this girl.

“And we’re back.” L announced.

“Have a good talk, are feelings all nice and mended?” Nicky asked.

L rolled his eyes at Nicky and decided to interrogate Kate about cameras.

“So what lens are you going to use for the wedding? There’s a right answer.”

“The right ones.” Kate emphasized the s, “Shooting with just one lens is like shooting at a dozen people with just one bullet.”

“Right answer, you’re hired.”

“No.” said Nicky, “No.”

“This is a project, I’m a project manager. It’s my call.”

“L.A. It’s my wedding and you will plan no more than a bachelor party and even that, I’m afraid of.”

“Do you even know what your next physical action is?”

Nicky flipped L off, “Is this it?”

“No, it’s to distract me with something shiny so I don’t try to take over this project.”

Nicky motioned towards Kate and L.A. smiled.