Chasing The Sun

: l o u i s :

" Hello. Where to? " Another person hops into the cab.

" Uh.. Just over to 147 Johanna Boulevard. Please. "

" Okay. Johanna Boulevard. " I mumble to myself. I've been there too many times before.

" Thanks Sir. " She holds out money. The right amount plus a tip. Apparently she spends a bit of time around Johanna Boulevard herself.

" Welcome. " I smile to myself and start down the road to Johanna Boulevard. Knowing New York like the back of my hand comes in hand quite often.

" Thank you.. " She reads my nametag " Louis. Bye. " She turns and runs up to the building.

Just another day. Just another person. Just another ride across town. Just one more meal this money will pay for.

Someone out near the middle of the street flags me down and hops in the cab.

" Oh Hey Louis. " I recognise the voice immediately.

" Hi Lilly. " I smile back at her.

" Well I just want to go home. How much do I owe ya? " She asks.

" Nothing Lilly. It's on me. " I start to pull away from 147 Johanna Boulevard and our onto the busy streets of New York City.

" Come on Louis. I need to pay you something. "

" I'll take a nickel. " I say with the words drenched in sarcasm.

" You can have your stinkin nickel then. " she throws a nickel up at me.

" No distracting the driver! You'll get kicked out of the cab. " I laugh and she sticks her tongue out at me.

" You're such a little kid for God sakes. " I yell at my best friend as we pull up in front of her apartment. She gets out and smiles at me.

" You made me like this Tommo. " And then she runs inside and disappears into the building.

My phone rings in my pocket.

I pick up.

" Hello? "

" Hey Louis. I just wanted to ask you if you're coming to my house on Friday. "

" Why? " I ask confused.

" I'm having a party dumbass. " She laughs.

" Hey. I'm sorry. I forgot. "

" Excuses. Excuses. " She giggles at me.

" I can't be talking while I'm working. I have to go. I'll be there. "

" Okay. Fine. Have fun. Bye Louis. "

" Bye Lilly. "

She hangs up. I hang up.

**********

My day is finally over and I get to go home. Food is the first thing that comes to mind so I make myself a sandwich and text Mark. I'm finished eating so I turn on the t.v. and as soon as I do. Low and behold I get a text from Mark.

From Mark: Hey Louis. Just wanted t know if u r goin to b at Lilly's party Friday. R u goin?

To Mark: Course I'm going. Why wouldn't I be going?

I can just see him laughing about how I can't even text like a normal person, I text like in writing a letter to my grandmother.

From Mark: Lilly's party is da same day da fair starts. Lilly thought u might go there instead.

To Mark: No way. Doesn't she know me at all? Aha.

From Mark: Apparently not jk I gtg now bye Louis ttyl.

To Mark: Bye Mark. P.S. you text like a girl.

From Mark: P.S. u text like an Englishman lol.

It's sadly true. I turn my phone off and the t.v. on.

I shut out the rest of the world for a few hours. Until I fall asleep on the tiny couch in my tiny apartment. Living a normal life.

Content. Happy. Satisfied.