12/18/2023
Jack ….just Jack
At the front of the cafe there was a table that only had one chair. It didn’t make a lot of sense to have one chair but there were several large plants in the window that shared the space with the table.
At that table, almost every Saturday, you could find a tall handsome man dressed in blue jeans and a crisp plaid shirt with the top button buttoned up. He had a dusty felt hat that looked like it might have been with him a long time. He could have doubled for Harrison Ford if he didn’t have a patch over his left eye. But that’s another story
Helen Long says he lives just outside of Flower Station which is beyond the town limits. You hear the locals referring to it as Beyond Beyond. Kevin, the Purolator driver says he has delivered packages to him at the old Kerouac estate.
The speculation is that he’s married but there are a few women in town that hope he’s not. Brenda Wizens is one of them. She claims she remembers the first time he came into the Cafe 5 years ago. She’s been wanting to talk to him ever since. Last Christmas she bolstered her nerves by downing her second Egg nog latte with a shot of Vodkow and approached his table .
Just as she was about to say hi and introduce herself Jack got up and began to leave. Not wanting to waste the opportunity Brenda reached out, touched his arm, and said ‘Excuse me.
My names Brenda.
I’ve seen you here from time to time and wanted to introduce myself.”
“I’m Jack”
Brendas heart skipped a beat. She would later tell her best friend Judy Dickinson that his voice was like a fine Pinot Noir or a good Merlot, possibly a Cabernet. Brenda didn’t really know her wines.
Just Jack?
No last name?
Yes.
Jack, just Jack and, with apologies,
I have to leave now.
When he leaves, Brenda sits in his chair for a few minutes. (sigh)
