An Interesting Day

It used to be that the really hot weather didn't come in until August. That isn't true anymore. Lately, we've been dealing with heat waves, where there's nothing but bright sun and blistering heat, mixed with depressingly overcast days with crushing humidity. The last few days have been a mixture of both.

Now I go out earlier then usual because I want to be home before the sun starts to bake things. I never leave my house with less then 4 bottles of water. I've dealt with dehydration before and I don't want to have to deal with being hospitalized again.

I drove up St. George Avenue to Shoprite. I wanted to get today's paper, my usual lottery tickets, and to see what was on sale. To get to that parking lot, you have to take a jug-handle (a distinctly New Jersey way of making a left turn) so I was in the right lane. As I got closer, the car to my left sped up, cut me off, and made the turn ahead of me.

Son of a Bitch.

I followed, and parked on his left side. He was on the phone.

I didn't think. I just acted.

Point, press, Flash.

I went into the store, bought what I went for and a blueberry muffin for breakfast, and got back into my car.

I was feeling good.

Interesting.

I had a prescription to pick up at Walmart, so I cut through a nearby housing development to get to Route 9. Along the way I passed Pelzman Park and saw this guy heading my way.

It's a quiet, out-of-the-way area and we were the only one's around.

Point, press, Flash.

I made the left onto Avenel, the left onto Route 9, and headed for Walmart.

I picked up my prescription, opened the muffin and a bottle of water and headed for Metuchen. The library would be opening soon.

There was nothing interesting at the library and I headed for the thrift shop in South Plainfield that I frequent.

Nothing interesting there either. I had finished the muffin and was on my second bottle of water. I was headed for home when I remembered something.

I live in Woodbridge Proper. They have some interesting parking regulations, but I'm exempt because I have a Resident Parking Permit. Well, the other day I noticed that my permit was due to expire soon, so I decided to stop by the Municipal Building on Main Street and get it renewed.

I drove down to Route 27 and, as I was coming up to my turn off, came up behind this jogger.

 I found it interesting that this guy was out jogging in this heat. No one else was. In fact, there was no one else around at all.

Point, press, Flash.

I made my turn and got to the Municipal Building in about 20 minutes.

There was no problem renewing my permit.

As I was leaving, 2 policemen came in. They were discussing the fact that they'd found a guy dead in his car in the Shoprite parking lot earlier. It was the heat, they decided.

I smiled to myself as I walked back to my car.

It had been an interesting day.

The Nature of Things.......

Doyle called yesterday.

Well, actually, he sent a text to the drop phone. He said that I should do whatever I would normally do today and that he would catch up with me somewhere along the way. He added that he had a narrow window, so if he didn't see me by noon we'd have to wait for some other time. This wasn't how we did things usually, but I had no way to argue with him about it.

I was up early. I left my house about 8, figuring that I had about 4 hours to fill. Somewhere along the line, Doyle would contact me.

I drove up into Avenel and stopped at a Krauser's for the paper. As I was getting out of my car, a bird swooped down past my windshield. I walked around the front and saw it pecking at something. I tried to get a better look, but it grabbed what it had and flew away.

I knew what it was.

A cicada.

They've been buzzing, humming, and flying around throughout the area for weeks now. I've had one land on my leg while I was getting gas at a Hess station on St. George Avenue, and several that have hit my windshield while driving around Avenel . Think about it. 17 years underground and many of them get eaten by birds or get smashed into windshields.

I guess that's just the nature of things.

I stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. I had a toasted Everything bagel with vegetable cream cheese and a medium-size iced tea, black. I always carry a paperback book with me, so I sat at a corner table - reading and enjoying my meal. So far, nothing from Doyle.

I got back into my car and took the right turn towards Edison. Along the way, I saw this guy.

 He was making a lot of noise with that leaf-blower and that really annoys me. I lowered my windows.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on, heading for Metuchen and the library there. I took the back roads. It didn't take long before I saw this guy.

He was on my side but the area was too open. I drove on, changing my mind about the library for now.

I headed towards South Plainfield along New Dover Road. There's a thrift store there that I like to browse through.
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It was now about 10:15, and I'd left the thrift store without buying anything. I figured that I still had about 2 hours before I could go home so now I drove to the library in Metuchen.

On the way, I saw this guy walking towards me. We were alone but, when I lowered the passenger side window, I could hear the cicadas humming in the trees.

I closed the window and drove on.

Way too much nature for me.

I decided to drive to the Menlo Park Mall.
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Every once in a while, I like to go to Menlo Park and sit in one of their relaxation areas - a set of chairs and sofas strategically set up around the two floors they occupy. I like the one facing the exit towards Barnes & Nobles. I was early enough to get a spot there, and sat down with the paper and a bottle of water that I had brought from my house.

I was done with the paper and was half-way through the crossword puzzle when I heard..

"23 across is "stretch'".

 I knew that and - annoyed - I looked up at Doyle.

"I knew that."
"I figured." He moved around the back of the sofa and sat next to me. He held out his hand. I shook it.
"So... How're you doing, Denny?"
He was dressed in casual clothes. Well, casual for him. Deck shoes, black socks, pressed jeans, and a short-sleeved, button down shirt. I found myself grinning.
"I'm good, Doyle. What's new with you?"
"Same old, same old." He stretched his legs out in front of him, twisted his neck and shoulders back and forth, and settled back with a sigh. "Ahh, that felt good.....So.... I've been away, obviously, and I thought we could catch up, you know?"
"Yeah...OK...so where've you been?"

He shook his head, grinning.
"Boston, of course. At least at first." He paused for a while. Looked down at his shoes.

"There was a lot of bad stuff up there, Denny. Real bad. Gonna take a long time to work through." He shrugged, then - physically - shook it off. He turned to me and grinned again.
"So...... as I understand things down here, nothing much has been happening, right?"

I thought about it a bit, but couldn't argue with him.
"That's pretty much it. Same old, same old for me too."

We were quiet for a while. Each of us thinking about things.

I broke the ice. "OK. .....  So.. I'm at a loss here. What happens now? Are we still doing what we do? Are you still having me tracked? And what's happening with Gordon?"

Doyle sat there for a bit, thinking it through, before responding. That was his nature.

"Short term.. yes. We're still tracking your implant. Long term... I don't know. I thought things were settling down, but now we're dealing with this NSA leaker and I'm not sure what will happen."

"What has that have to do with us?"
He shook his head again. "It's all tied together, Denny. You push the right button.. you topple the right domino.. it all comes apart. That's how it is. Just the nature of the beast."

His phone chimed. He opened it, listened for a bit, nodded, closed it, and turned to me.

"Gotta go, Denny. Stuff happens. Good to see you, though."

He stood and stuck out his hand.

I shook it.

It seemed like the natural thing to do.

A Day in May...............

Doyle left a message yesterday.

Well, I think it was yesterday. I found a voicemail on the drop phone he gave me months ago. I hadn't heard it come in, so I needed to retrieve it.  Of course, not knowing that this was an option with this  phone, I fumbled around with it until I got to the place where I needed to enter a password. Now, I didn't set this up, but it had to have something that tied Doyle and I together. I typed in G O R D O N.

I found out that Doyle would be back in New Jersey sometime after the first of June.

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About a week ago, I went to see my cardiologist for my semi-annual visit. It had been a hot day and, unfortunately, I wasn't feeling all that good. Turned out my blood pressure was low but, after several tries, they got a reading that they were okay with. That was only the first thing. They weren't happy with my LDL cholesterol level either. We agreed to some changes with my meds, and that I'd come back on the following Friday so they could check my blood pressure again.
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I was out early this morning.

The weather has been changing and there was a lot of fog. I had an appointment for a bone density test at 10, and I wanted to get a few things done first.

 I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I have a friend who leaves me her daily paper (if she's read it) out front, so I headed to Avenel. On the way there, I came up behind this guy.

I lowered my window and looked around. We were the only ones out.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove up the next 2 blocks, turned right, stopped, picked up the paper, and drove on. I still had plenty of time so I decided to head towards ShopRite.

Up ahead was this guy.

I crept up slowly, lowering the passenger side window. I kept looking around. No one else...

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the store and bought some frozen dinners that were on sale (checking the labels for saturated fats and cholesterol percentages). I stopped at my place, put the dinners in the freezer, and headed for Metuchen where my test was scheduled.

It was straight down Main Street to Woodbridge Avenue. A right turn onto Amboy Avenue took me towards Metuchen. After I'd passed Route 1, I turned off into the side streets. I took a few turns, then noticed that this guy was heading in my direction. I didn't think twice

 

.

Point, press, Flash.

I kept going. After about 2 blocks, I turned back towards Amboy Avenue. Ten minutes later, I was in the parking lot of the testing facility.

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Long story short. I've had the bone density test. I decided to call my cardiologist's office and give them my blood pressure numbers for the last 4 days. They called back about an hour later that the doctor was OK with the numbers and I wouldn't have to go down on Friday. That's good.

It's supposed to get hot over the next few days, maybe as high as 90.

I don't like it when it gets too hot. 90 is too hot for a day in May.
.

A Different Place and Time...........

I haven't heard from Doyle in a while. That's really not unusual, but I'm betting he and his crew have been impacted by what's happened up in Boston. I'm pretty sure there have been ramifications to it. When you drop a big stone like that into a lake it tends to create a lot of ripples. No word from Gordon either. I don't know what to make of that.

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It rained the last 2 days. Local flooding kind of rain. Even by me it was so bad that you couldn't step off a curb without getting your feet wet. I was tempted to get into my car through the passenger side but then I'd have to climb over the arm rests. I just walked down the block until I found the narrowest band of water and jumped. I just cleared it. I drove around for a while but there really wasn't anyone out and about. I made a stop or two but was home way before noon both days.

Today, however,............

Today was beautiful.

The sun was up, and I was out bright and early. For the first time this year, I didn't take a jacket with me - just my Yankee cap, jeans, and a T-shirt with the logo "Restore the Shore". I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and took a large Iced Tea with me. I headed up into Iselin.

My windows were down and the breeze was warm. About 10 minutes into my drive, I saw this man up ahead.

It was only about 8:30 and a quick look around showed me that we were alone.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove along New Dover Road towards Colonia.

A few minutes later I noticed this guy trimming the edges along the sidewalk close to the curb.

There was no one else around - no cars along this stretch of road - but it didn't feel right so I drove on. No sense overdoing things, after all.

A little further along the road I passed by St. Helena's church. It was almost 9 and the parking lot was jammed. As I was thinking that it must be a funeral, the piper started playing  "The Minstrel Boy" - one of those sad songs that we Irish tend to rally around. Not a bad way to go out.

I turned off on Grove Street, heading towards a branch of the Edison Library. There were more trees along here and the breeze turned a bit cooler. Still quiet, though. Then I saw this early morning walker.

 I looked around as I got closer. No one else but us.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the library but didn't find anything that interested me. I decided to head for their main branch on Plainfield Avenue. It's about 15 minutes away, just off Route 27.

I actually came out of there with a couple of books that sounded interesting. I took a back way towards Route 27, heading towards Metuchen. As I came up towards the main road, there was another walker out for exercise.

We were in the back of a small strip mall that hadn't opened yet. There was no one in this lot.

Point, press, Flash.

I turned right and headed towards the Metuchen library. Actually, I stopped at WalMart along the way. Mother's Day is this weekend, and I usually pick up a little something for a few people I will see that day.

I stopped at the library but didn't get anything. On my way back, I stopped at the light on Middlesex Turnpike. There was this guy sitting on one of the benches.

I was tempted - again. There was no one around. But this was right outside the Municipal Building where the Police Department is. I didn't see any reason to tempt fate.

I drove home.

Today had been so different from the last two days. Sunnier. Warmer.

It was almost like a different place and time.

Spring Break.......

Supposedly, Spring started a month ago. If so, I haven't seen it. When it's been warm, the days have mostly been cloudy and dismal. When it's been sunny, the wind has kept things chilly. That's how it was today.

I drove over to Sewarren just because I hadn't been there in a while. It was early and I was enjoying the sunlight and the quiet. Well, I was until I heard one of those damned leaf blowers. I pulled over to the curb, parked, and looked around. Then I saw this guy.

I got out of my car and moved to the right. I kept looking around, but there was no one else. I took a quick turn around the field, came back, and then.....

Point, press, Flash.

I walked back to my car, got in, and drove away. I headed towards the library in Metuchen.

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I am a Catholic, and I happen to live in the Archdiocese of Metuchen. The cathedral there just happens to be very close to the library. Since it was such a nice day, after having stopped in at the library, I decided to walk over to the cathedral and say a prayer - maybe light a candle - for a family member that recently passed. I know that she wouldn't approve, but I do it anyway, more so for me then for her. It's my way of letting her know that I'll miss her.

On my way back from the cathedral to my car, I noticed this guy sitting on a bench in the back.

 

 

It's quiet back here. I didn't see anyone else around. I took my time.

Point, press, Flash.

I walked on, getting back to my car, and driving on.

I drove up to South Plainfield. I like to look around the Thrift Shop up there, and Thursday you can use their discount card.

I was in there about 1/2 an hour. I didn't get anything for myself, but I got some stuff that my NJ family might be able to use .When I got back in my car, I decided to drive around the perimeter. That's where I came across this guy.

There was no one else back here.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove home.

It was a long, harsh Winter. So far, Spring hasn't been as good as I'd hoped. In fact, I don't like this Spring.

I could use a Spring break.

Good Friday..........

It's late, and it's only been sticking around for about 1/2 a day at a time, but Spring has finally shown up. It's getting warmer day by day and just seeing the sun makes me feel better. I left my heavy coat home this morning, and wore a lighter jacket.

There was less traffic around, probably due to it's being Good Friday - the start of a lot of Spring Break weeks around the area. I drove over to the Hess Station on Route 9 for gas. I've been using them since the big storm hit back in October. The price is competitive and they don't charge more for using a debit card. I pulled right up to a pump, was served, and was on my way in less then 5 minutes. Feeling good.

From there, I took the side road that feeds into Woodbridge Center Drive, heading back to Main Street. That's where I saw this guy heading towards me. He'd probably parked in the lot and was using the back road to reach the nearby office building.

I looked around. The road isn't used often and we were the only ones on it. I was ready as we passed each other.

Point, press, Flash.

I turned onto Main Street, made a left onto St. George - making the light for a change - and headed to Dunkin' Donuts in Avenel for breakfast. There wasn't as many customers as usual. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese and a decaf coffee. By the time I'd paid and gotten my coffee, my bagel was ready. I got a table by the window, and enjoyed my breakfast and the warm sunlight. Still feeling good.

The libraries that I usually frequent are closed today, so I decided to ride up to the thrift store in South Plainfield. I took Chain of Hills road towards Edison, and came up behind this person.

It was still early, and this stretch of road is usually quiet. I slowed a bit matching her speed and checked my mirrors. No one else around. I sped up a bit, and as I passed...

Point, press, Flash.

I Turned onto Green Street, took the road that passed the Metro Park train station, and headed towards Route 27. I just missed making the light there, but I did see this woman walking on the opposite side of the street. I sat there, looking around, as she walked passed the corner and continued on her way. When the light turned green, I made the left, coming up behind her.

Route 27 usually has a lot of traffic, but the holy day worked to my advantage.

Point, press, Flash.

I continued on, turning right onto Grove Street, then left onto Oak Tree Road towards the thrift shop. I spent about 15 minutes in there and picked up a T-shirt of the Flying Karamazov Brothers for $1.00. Doing good, feeling happy.

I drove back through Metuchen and Edison, thinking to do some browsing in Barnes & Nobles in the Menlo Park Mall. About half-way there, I changed my mind. I was enjoying the warmth and the drive so I just stopped at Roosevelt Park and sat in the car for a while. It felt good.

The warm weather brought out parents and their little children so it was starting to get noisy. I didn't stay long. I headed for home, deciding to stop at Subways for a sandwich. As I turned onto Wood Avenue I saw this woman heading towards me.

I only had enough time for a cursory glance in the mirrors before she and I passed.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at ShopRite for some snacks and picked up some chocolate cake from their bakery that they had on sale. Two slice for two dollars. A good deal.

There were no other customers in Subways when I got there. I picked up a 12-inch Tuna on Italian with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers and mayo. Good service.

When I got home, a book I'd ordered from an online thrift store was in my mailbox. This was the second time that I'd used this company and their service was still good.

It was definitely a good Friday.

Two Sides............

Doyle called last night. I haven't heard from him since January, and we agreed to meet this morning. As I got ready to leave, I opened the windows in the bedroom slightly. I haven't heard from Gordon since December and it was worth a try.

When I got to the Burger King in the Woodbridge Center Mall, Doyle was already sitting at a table, two cups of coffee in front of him. He stood up. We shook hands.

"Denny, thanks for coming."
"Hey, Doyle, how's it going?"
"I'm good, but I'm not sure how it's going."

We sat. He pushed one of the coffee's towards me.

"So....why are you not sure how it's going?"
He drank from his cup. "Look...I'll be straight with you. It's this whole Sequester thing."
"Seriously?...How?"
"You have to understand...DHS has picked up a large chuck of the domestic funding from the Federal Government. Plus, we contract out a lot of other stuff that people don't really pay attention to."
"Like what?"
He just grinned, and shook his head.
"That's one of those TV questions where the answer is 'It's need to know, only', or 'If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya'. But that stuff doesn't really matter here. What I wanted to tell you was that this operation may wind up being cut back drastically."
I paused, to think about this.

"OK. I guess I can understand that. I guess that I knew it wouldn't really last, but what happens to everything? Have you had any trace of Gordon?...... Is Jones willing to give up his chase?"

Doyle looked up at the ceiling for a minute or two, drank some coffee, then focused on me.

"Den, I don't know what Mr. Jones intends to do. He's obsessed with Gordon, and I don't know why. It's kinda like Ahab and his whale. Either way....he's got the final say on whatever cuts we have to make."
"Well....that sorta sounds like we'll still be in business."
"Maybe. But even he has people watching him. If push comes to shove, he'll cut this rather then put himself in jeopardy."

I drank some coffee while I took this in. The coffee was terrible. I finally nodded.
"I understand, Doyle. Thanks for the heads up. But what about Gordon? Do you have anything new on him?"
"No. Nothing. There hasn't been any activity on his part for a couple of months, but like I told you last time, I don't think he's gone............I think he's planning something."
"Any idea what?" I'd finished my coffee, and I noticed that Doyle was just twirling his cup on the table.
Doyle grinned. "Not really. Even the shrinks aren't sure what he may or may not do. They only agree that he must be ...weaker...then when he started. They believe that he hasn't been able to get his meds, so he's probably in a bad way, but they can't come up with any proof."

He stood, and threw away his coffee cup.
"Anyway, Denny, I just wanted to let you know that there may be a change coming up. I'll try to keep something going, but I can't make any promises."

I stood up, too, and offered my hand. We shook.
"Whatever happens...thanks, Doyle. It's been real."
He smiled, and walked away. I threw my cup out, and ran some errands before heading home.
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It wasn't until I was opening my mailbox out in front of the building that I realized that my bedroom windows were closed.

Gordon was sitting on my couch when I walked in.

"Denny! How good to see you!" He jumped up and hugged me. There was a new feeling of energy to him. He even looked better then the last time I'd seen him.

I stepped back. "Well, Gordon....you look..great."
"I know. Like I told you the last time we met, I have someone helping me now. He's been able to get me the anti-reject meds. I'm feeling good now."

I felt like there was something wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I sat down in my chair and he seemed to collapse on the couch. He wasn't as healthy as he was pretending to be.

"So..I'm glad to see you. I was afraid that you might have........you know............"
"Died?" He laughed. "Hardly. But I have changed my plans."
"Oh?.... Really? .......How?"
He stood up again, a bit more slowly this time, and stared out the window.
"I was..haphazard..before. I was striking out without a real target, Denny. Do you understand that?"
I said I didn't. I could see him nod his head, but he didn't turn around.
"I was doing what you do, Denny, staging these random Events just to draw their attention. But then I got to thinking. Then I realized that what I was doing was what they expected me to do."

He turned around, and faced me. His eyes burned.

I cleared me throat. "So....um....what did you do then?"
He grinned - not like Doyle had - and it stretched the skin across his face in a very nasty way.
"I did nothing. That's right..nothing. I laid low. Frankly, I didn't have too many options, but then I met...........my friend......and things got easier. I began to focus."

He turned to the window again, and I tried to get a grip on what he was talking about.

"Look...I don't really understand what you're talking about, Gordon, but I think you should probably go back to your friend and...I don't know... think some more, or something."
I could see his head shake, again. I could imagine him grinning, too.

He turned around, faced me again, and the room seemed to get darker.
"I want you to understand something, Denny. I know what happened to me - what even happened to you. I know who is responsible."

He seemed to glow in the sudden darkness.
"Who, Gordon? Who's responsible?" I thought I didn't care but, somehow, he made it important to know.
His grin stretched across his face.
"Jones.....Jones is responsible....And I will make an example of him."

Before I could say or do anything, he ran towards the door., then turned...
"It was nice to see you again, Denny...I'll be in touch." He shut the door behind him.

First Doyle, then Gordon.

There are two sides to every coin.