July 21st, 1967

Mrs. Dill next-door hollering down the hall for Tom & Grace when I come out. She’s dropped her pocketbook & cane on the floor. She's hunched over paper bag, throwing up.

Tom comes out: "Whatsa matter, Helen?"

Grace: "Are you sick, Helen?" in that false compassionate tone of hers.

Helen lives next-door. Deaf. Giants games blaring while I write. Radiators steaming because she’s cold. It’s 80 degrees out.

Tom tells Grace he's going out for 15 minutes, Grace says, "I don't care where you go as long as I'm not locked out."

She's drunk, trying my door, thinking it’s their apartment because they used to live here. Then she walks down the hall, keeping her hand against the wall to steady herself. Steps around dog turds at top of stairs.


» July 22nd, 1967 : Straight Stoner



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