Felony Jones

September 1988

     Felony pulled into the beach parking lot early in the morning. The air was cool, with a thin layer of fog hovering just above the ground. She loved mornings like this. She walked around to the passenger side of the car, let Jeff out and put him on his leash. She picked up the small box of ashes and stuck it in her pocket. As she made her way to the pier, she felt her whole body instantly relax. She started thinking about Mary, and how grateful she was that some force in the universe made it possible for Mary to hold on long enough to be told that her son had been found. She was grateful, and humbled by the fact that Mary thought enough of her to give her some ashes to spread too. Felony rarely prayed or gave thanks in any official capacity, but today she was full of the spirit. She was thankful for having Toshiro and Jeff in her life, thankful for David and his friendship (and his beauty), thankful for the cool clean morning air, and especially thankful that Labor Day weekend had passed, and the kids were back in school, giving her an empty beach to enjoy. Felony got about halfway out on the pier and decided that it was a good spot to open the box. She took the top off and slowly emptied the contents into the water. She leaned over the rail and stared at the smattering of dust and small chunks floating below for a few minutes. When she felt enough time had passed, she looked down at Jeff, who was looking up at her with his little brown eyes. "Just so you know, this is what I'm going to do with you when you pass." Jeff's ears went forward as he blinked several times. She put the top back on the box and stuck it back in her pocket. "Okay, let's go get you a souvenir." The two walked to the gift shop that had just opened, went in and made their way up and down a few aisles when Felony spotted a ceramic beach scene just like the one Michael sent to Mary. She brought it up to the counter and set it down.

"Will that be everything?" the cashier asked.

"That'll do it, thanks."

The cashier put the statue in a bag and handed her a receipt with some change. "Did you take a walk on the beach yet?"

"No, we stayed on the pier today."

"Oh, that's a shame. The tide's out and the sand is perfect right now."

"I'm sure it is. Don't get me wrong, I fucking love nature, I just don't want to participate in it today." Felony gave the cashier a quick wink.

The cashier shrugged and handed Felony the bag. Felony looked down at Jeff, who was being patient. "Okay, c'mon baby boy, let's go home."

Felony and Jeff walked out of the store and went home.