Unexpected .......................

I've fallen back on some old routines lately, like going to certain places on certain days and following the same routes to get there. Eating the same things. Stuff like that. But, over the last couple of weeks, some things have happened that were ..... unexpected.

For instance, I had a Dermatologist's appointment that I thought would be just a quick follow-up. He'd removed a small spot from over my left cheek bone 3 weeks ago and I figured he'd say things looked good. Instead, he said it was definitely a squamous cell carcinoma and excised a larger area.

I was not expecting that.

And .... this past Sunday, I got a call from my Pharmacy. They noticed that I had a prescription that was due and wanted to know if I'd be refilling it.

Now that kind of service is really unexpected.

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I had some errands to run today and, since I'd gotten up early, I figured to just take my time. I drove up Rahway Avenue into Avenel and stopped at the Post Office. It's a personal quirk of mine. If I have something to mail, I prefer to drop it into the slot inside the Office and the vestibule opens at 8 to accommodate box holders. I left there and took some side streets towards Shoprite.

These are two-way streets and very narrow so, with cars parked on both sides, only one car at a time can drive through. I don't mind pulling to the side to allow an oncoming car to go first but I expect a hand wave in acknowledgement, which I rarely get. Today, the passenger in the car I let through waved and the next car pulled over to allow me through (which I acknowledged).

I was pleasantly surprised at this unexpected behavior.

Further along, a guy in a pickup truck pulled out of a side street behind me and started to crowd me. He even had the nerve to pound on his horn. I pulled over and let him pass but I fell in behind him. A block or two later, we came to a red light where there was also a left turn only lane. I pulled up next to him.

He didn't look at me but I looked at him.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on but he didn't.

I bet he didn't expect that.

I stopped at Shoprite and, as I got out of my car, I noticed a Health Department van that had parked in such a way as to block in a particular car. The officer was standing outside looking around. As I passed, I realized that there was a dog locked inside the car and the officer was waiting for the owner. I went inside, picked up what I needed, and left. By now, a police car had joined the Health Department van and both officers were standing there.

I wondered if they had gone inside and had an announcement made. I hadn't heard anything while I was inside.

There have been a lot of stories lately about children or pets locked inside cars but I never expected to see one.

I stopped at Walmart to pick up my prescriptions and took Amboy Avenue towards Metuchen. I made a right onto Main Street and another Right onto Library Street. The Library wouldn't be open for about 15 minutes but there was this one guy in the parking lot, rummaging through whatever he had in the back of his car. I passed by and drove around the block. He was still there.

I didn't expect that, but I didn't pass up the opportunity.

Point, press, Flash.

I decided to swing by Barnes & Noble's to see if they had anything by Charles Portis. I'd just read his "True Grit" and enjoyed it (Yes, I did see the John Wayne version but I always like to read the source material when I can). I wasn't going to buy anything but I did want to read any of the blurbs to see if I might be interested. I was in the Fiction section, walking through the aisles, when I noticed this guy.

I've mentioned before that I don't like to see people sitting there, reading like this was a library. I walked down past Graphic Novels and turned into Mysteries. I came up behind him.

That's when I heard the voice behind me.

"Let him be, Denny. It's hot outside."

Gordon.

I turned but before I could say anything he blurted out .. "What the hell happened to your face?"
I explained the whole Dermatologist/Oncologist/Plastic Surgeon thing. It took a few minutes but he didn't interrupt - just nodded occasionally. When I was done he suggested that we go downstairs to the Starbucks for some coffee. I passed on the coffee but agreed to sit down with him.

We lucked into a table and, after he'd gotten his coffee, he started right in.

"So ... have you heard from your friend Doyle lately?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." I hoped I sounded sincere.
He grinned. "I know more then you think I do, Denny. I've known for a while that Doyle has been in touch with you - on and off. I appreciate your loyalty to him. I hope you've given me the same courtesy." He sipped his coffee.

I mulled that over but decided not to answer. Instead, I said, "Why are you here? I mean ... why put yourself at risk by approaching me out in the open like this?"
"I'm not at risk here. Doyle's boys may be out in the parking lot but they're not in here. I'm pretty sure of that."
"How can you be sure?"
"I've spent the last two months running around and having some fun down in Delaware and Pennsylvania. I'm pretty sure Doyle is down there now waiting for my next appearance. My guess would be that he's only got a skeleton crew following you."
I remembered that when Doyle called last he was out of state. I don't know where Gordon was getting his information but he was on the mark.
"OK. I'll buy that", I said, " So, why are you here now? I haven't seen you in months and, besides, you usually just surprise me in my own apartment."

He'd been drinking his coffee this whole time - almost gulping it - and he finished it now. He got up, threw the cup away, then sat down again, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I've been playing a little game with Doyle. Did he tell you? A couple of months ago, I would unmask my tracker to allow his people to get a "look" at me, usually within a few feet of you. I'll bet he told you .... you can admit it."
I nodded. He nodded also, and went on, although now he seemed be twitching a bit.
"Then I went down to Delaware .... but I told you that already." He started to look around.
"Is something bothering you, Gordon?"
"No ... no ... of course not." He Laughed, but it was forced. "I came here for a reason, Denny."

He leaned across the small table and whispered, "I wanted you to know that everything will be straightened out by the end of the year. Yes .... that's it ... the end of the year."

He stood quickly, turned, and left.

I sat there for a while trying to figure out what just happened.

That was totally unexpected.

In The Mid-day Sun.................

Doyle called last night. He's out of town but he wanted me to know that he's heard about the carcinoma that has grown back again. He said he knew it would have to be cut out - again - and that a plastic surgeon would need to be there to help with the closing. He had his people check the guy out and he's one of the best so I shouldn't worry. I thanked him for that and we hung up. I won't actually meet the plastic surgeon until Monday and then he'll call the oncologist to schedule the procedure. I'll just have to sweat it out and, in this weather, that's pretty easy.
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I was out very early this morning. Partly because I had some things to do and didn't want to be out too long in this heat. Partly due to the sound of a mower coming through my open windows at 7:30. I fed the cat, dressed lightly, and took my stuff - including 3 extra bottles of water and a package of mini-muffins - to the car. As I pulled out, I saw the source of the mower sound.

My windows were open already.

Point, press, Flash.

The first thing I wanted to do was to get my wash done so I headed directly to the Laundromat, located in the Shoprite strip mall. I like this place because they use a card-operated system so I don't have to bother saving up quarters and - since I usually go mid-week and early - it's not very crowded. Plus, I can get whatever shopping I need done while the wash in on.

Half an hour later, my wash was done and I dropped it off back at my apartment. Whatever breeze we had earlier is gone now and I can feel the humidity.

Next, I headed to the Main Library in Woodbridge. On the way, I came across this woman.

I don't know why she was out walking but at least she was on the shady side.

When I got to the library I asked to use one of their computers. I'd found the website for the plastic surgeon and they had a link to a PDF file with all the forms necessary for new patients. I don't have my own printer so - whenever I need to - I use the library's. This way, I'll fill them out ahead of time rather then go through that hassle you get on a first visit.

I left there and headed up to Avenel. I wanted to pay my cable bill. I could start to really feel the heat on my left arm and tried to move it out of the way, not very successfully. I made a right onto Remsen Ave. and another right onto Lord St. There was this guy working on his front lawn.

 He was using one of those loud, gas-powered weed whackers and the noise and fumes were obnoxious.

Point, press, Flash.

I parked on Mina St., dropped my payment in the box, and drove off.

I got gas at the Wawa Station on Route 9. $3.39. Not bad.

I had one more stop to make but it was only a little after 10, although the heat and humidity have been building. I've been drinking my water and eating my muffins so I decided to take the long way through Woodbridge Center. I entered off the Drive and cut through the Sears lot. That's where I saw this guy.

Smart guy, I thought. Taking his time. Staying in the shade.

I got back on the Drive and, after a few turns, got onto New Dover Road. At the intersection with Chain-of-Hills Road, where I was going to make my left, I saw this guy up ahead. I was ready when I made my turn.

Point, press, Flash.

I could feel the sweat on my back now. I headed for my last stop.

I picked up a 12-inch Tuna sub on Italian with lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet peppers, and mayo from the Subways near Pathmark. I headed home. I figured I'd be in by 11:30 at the latest.

In this kind of weather I always remember that, according to Noel Coward, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out ..

in the mid-day sun.