It’s Saturday and David and I are going to meet at the bar for a few minutes before a busy weekend gets in the way. In fact, I may not be able to read/reply to your comments until tonight, but I always reply. While we grab a quick beverage, we’ll see if we can slay the beast that is Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. Actually, she’s been kind to us today:
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘pick a number.’ Choose a number—any number—and write about it any way you’d like. Have fun!”
If we were having a beer, you’d be in a cheerful mood.
“Hi Cheryl. Is Dan here yet?”
“I think he just pulled in, David. Can I get you started with a John Howell’s Bourbon?”
“I want to wait to see who’s paying today.”
“You are. Dan paid last week when Smitha visited—don’t tell me you forgot?”
“No, but here’s the deal. I’m going to ask Dan to pick a number. If it’s less than the number I have in mind, he pays. If it’s equal to or higher, I pay.”
“What’s your number?”
“Huh?”
“Dan’s never going to believe you unless you tell me what the number is.”
“You’re probably right. Twenty-two.”
“That’s a weird number.”
“Twenty-one was Roberto Clemente’s number when he played for the Pirates. Dan is getting ready to go see the Yardgoats play on their annual Roberto Clemente Night. I’m guessing he has twenty-one on the mind.”
“So, you’re cheating.”
“No. That’s not cheating. It’s an enlightened guess, but it’s not cheating.”
“Hi guys!”
“Hi Dan. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Any particular reason? I mean, I’m not late.”
“David has a bet to make with you. I’m involved, but only to keep it honest—I think it’s a dumb idea.”
“OK, David, what’s the bet?”
“Pick a number—any number. If it’s lower than the number I’ve chosen, you pay for the drinks. If it’s over my number, I pay for the drinks.”
“Any number?”
“Nothing absurd, but yes, any number. I’ve already told Cheryl my number, so this is all above board.”
“OK, forty-two.”
“Forty-two? Damn.”
“David’s number was twenty-two.”
“Ha! You thought I’d say twenty-one.”
“Off course I thought you’d choose twenty-one. You’re wearing a Roberto Clemente shirt.”
“Yeah, but forty-two is the answer to ‘the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.’ Am I right?”
“Well, you’re right enough for me to buy you a beer, Dan. I forgot about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Oh well, you paid last week.”
“Forty-two was also Jackie Robinson’s number. Both of those numbers have been retired at Dunkin Park by the Yardgoats.”
“Here you go guys. Bourbon, a glass of ice and a snifter of seltzer and a cold Modelo for the winner.”
“Cheers, Dan. Isn’t Jackie Robinson’s number retired throughout Major League Baseball?”
“Yes, and the owner of the Yardgoats hopes to get Roberto Clemente’s number retired everywhere as well.”
“I guess you’d like that.”
“I would, but it’s not up to me.”
“When will the Yardgoats, I mean, Los Chivos de Hartford play?”
“They have two games left, but August nineteenth is Roberto Clemente night.”
“You and Faith going?”
“Of course!”
“Be sure to take some pictures.”
“David, like you have to remind Dan to take pictures.”
“Well, I’ll see you before the nineteenth, but good luck to Los Chivos.”
“Thanks.”
Note: The gallery is heavy with bunnies. Several of the pictures (all of the babies) were taken by The Editor.
Note: I will be late replying to comments.
All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.
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