Chapter 1
No, I know, I could do a bit on slim, like "Ellie's Plan."
Also, I need to read up on codes for altering paragraphs with highlighted text.
Where was I? Oh, yeah, about this digression thing, sorry, no, really.
Its about focus. And losing it, to work on something else. Why do people do, what they do? Who knows? Losing focus. hmmm. Refocusing.
Who would have ever thought it would come to this.
Twenty eight years, what a trip. Me and four cats in a run down trailer park. Does that make me a cat lady? I don't think I am but the evidence defies me. I certainly never planned to be.
Sure, I've made a few improvements to the old place since the guys have all gone, but even in the beginning Slim's dear old Trailer Park was always pretty much a dump at the end of a narrow white sand trail. Still I can't bring myself to leave. Too many memories, the cats, all our stuff... How could any bunch of rational human beings build a dream around such a load of crap? I guess we weren't really. I mean rational human beings, because we did build a dream. Hell, loads of 'em. It's like every stinking day we all woke up with a new load of dreams. I guess thats what it was all about. Not the realization of the dream, but the dreams themselves.
Paige came by yesterday. No reason. "I just wanted to see how you are doing." she said.
I tried to offer her a little help, and some tea, of course. 'I've got a little saved up, Paige, Slim left me OK, and we could get you set up some way.' I told her, but, she wouldn't hear any of it. Slim always thought Paige hung the moon and to tell the truth now, I think she's warm to the idea. Maybe she even likes it. Sometimes she is so like Slim it makes me want to cry. 'You make a mean cup of Earl Grey.' she said.
A few years back I had some guys haul away the old trailer Skip and Bogus lived in for so long out in the back yard. They also took away the rusty old transmissions Slim had saved so long that were an abomination in the front yard. After they left I spent three weeks putting in an azalea bed along the front of the trailer and beside the steps. I bordered the whole thing with some kind of monkey grass. I wish Slim could see it, I think he would like it. I still can't bring myself to get rid of the sign though. I guess it's because it was one of Slim's first dreams. Every year or two I find myself dabbing a little fresh paint watered down with tears on it to keep it like Slim would have liked it. I even added a few azaleas and monkey grass to it too. Slim's Trailer Park. I guess I still just don't exactly get it.
I watched the sun set down on the beach again last night. It was almost to die for. It was where Slim took me for what I guess was our first date so very long ago now. Back then it was an old truck seat on blocks but I always hated the way the water squished up out of the upholstery after it rained so after a while he hauled them away and replaced them with a little set of adirondacks and side tables. I don't think Slim ever really understood about decent furniture but he always did like the sunset. He said it always made him think of me. Now it always makes me think of him.