THE ODD COUPLE BY CHERYL V.

The Odd Couple

John and Stacey just had gone through a divorce, just because John was very
Incompatible and couldn’t live with Stacey without making it difficult for him
To live with her due to his uncanny ways. And as a result of the divorce, John
Was left with nothing except for some petty cash, a few clothes and a pillow,
Which he treated like a stuffed toy, hanging onto it like a child would love its’
Doll. So, at this time in his life, John was feeling quite down low in his world,
And feeling quite worthless about himself in being without a job, unable to sup-
Port himself, and his world was, seemingly, trying to crush him down to a no
Good person and closing in around him.

So, just after John had been chased out of his house by his ex-wife, whom had
Gotten full custody of the house, and in having no sound home in which to live,
One day, he appeared at his friend, Doug’s front door, unwanted for his com-
Pany, with his pillow, clothes and some cash in hand. He was ready to fall to
Pieces over the divorce, so, Doug took him in, hoping that he wasn’t planning
To stay there long. And upon lying down on a weathered couch in the living
Room, while feeling so exhausted and out of it, he had the guts to bed Doug
For a beer, some food and a cigar, which things were given him, while Doug
Was hoping to satisfy him with these petty things. And after having the beer,
Bologna sandwich doused with mustard, and a cigar, John happened to fall
Asleep right there on the couch.

Doug had been taking a walk around the apartment complex, hoping that the
Walk would cue him in on what to do with John at this time. And while on
The walk, he couldn’t figure out anything in his head as to what his friend,
Really, had come to the apartment for, being that he, actually, hadn’t cued
Him in as to the real reason for him, coming to Doug’s apartment in the first
Place. John hadn’t yet told him all about his divorce from his ex-wife as yet,
So, Doug was assuming, that he just wasn’t getting along with his wife, now,
Ex-wife, and that his wife just had thrown him out of the house, because she
Couldn’t stand being around him anymore because of his odd ways.

So, about an hour later, Doug came back through the front door, and in finding
John asleep on the living room couch, yet, he happened to notice the big mess
On his oak coffee table, the napkin all crumbled up, and cigar ashes strewn
All over the table and floor nearby. Upon noticing the big mess in his living
Room, he became very angry at his friend, and just dreaded cleaning up after
His friend, being that at this time, he just felt like knocking John down to the
Floor. But he cleaned up the mess, anyway, putting the dirty napkin in hand along
With the filthy paper plate, and Styrofoam cup, which had a trace of mushy cof-
Fee in the bottom of it. So, then, he carried everything over to his kitchen, and
Upon throwing everything from his hands into the trash in the small closet in
The kitchen, he, angerly, stomped over to his bedroom , and somehow, managed
To push these angry thoughts to the back of his mind at this time, but he would,
Somehow, deal with his friend at a later time. Then, after getting ready for
Bed, he stomped over to his bedroom, again, and jumped onto his bed, going
Into a fitful sleep on top of his king size bed on top of his red patchwork quilt
A little early for the rest of the night.

In the morning, he awoke from a nightmare, which he couldn’t seem to remem-
Ber, and then, walked over, half asleep, to his bathroom, shaved, cleaned up, and
Then, walked back to his bedroom, starting to wake up after that refreshing
Shave, and got himself dressed in some jeans and a red tee shirt along with a
Jean jacket, which he tied around his waist at this time. And afterwards, he
Walked over to the kitchen area, grabbed a cup of coffee from the night before,
And then, unwillingly, got some eggs and toast ready for his friend, while he
Grabbed his usual energy drink for himself, being he was really into watching
His weight.

After having his energy drink, he walked over to the living room to wake up
John, whom was already up and sitting on the couch, watching some television.
So, then, without a word between them, Doug set some breakfast before him
On a portable tray, which he ate very quickly, while Doug got his fishing pole
And other things ready for fishing that morning.

Then, after getting ready whatever he had there at the house for fishing, he came
Back into the living room, and had to clean up, again, after his friend, whom was
Unwilling to clean up all the mess of toast crumbs all over the tray and on the
Floor, too along with a puddle of coffee, spilled all over the tray, and on the oak
Living room table, being that his divorce left him, not being able to think clearly
Enough to clean up after himself, because it still seemed to be haunting his mind,
Night and day.

And at this time, Doug was feeling very perturbed over John not being on the
Ball to clean up after himself, and at the same time, saw John, then, trying to
Sneak out the back door, hoping that Doug wouldn’t notice him doing so.

Doug knew, that John was, stealthily, heading towards the lake in the backyard, which
Lake seemed to seem so peaceful to John at this time and so calm, even though,
He was feeling very confused and at a lost on what to do with his life at this time.
As John eased himself into a green rowboat, which he rented that morning, Doug
Knew, that John was heading out, already, on the lake, upon seeing him as he
Was looking out the back window at this time. And that then, John was soon going
To be fishing out in the middle of the lake amongst the ripples of the greenish
Waves near an island, which wasn’t far from Doug’s backyard.

It seemed to be such a perfect day, outside, with the sun shining brightly out on
The lake at this time in the wee hours of the morning for fishing, and with
Temperatures already in the fifties. So, Doug decided to do some bass fishing,
Himself, in his blue row boat tied along a dock in his backyard, which seemed
To be showing all the years of wear and tear. And Doug, actually, was the first
One to get out in the middle of the lake where all the big fish were at, to do his
Bass fishing, and he was hoping to catch some lovely bass, this morning, while
Seemingly, in a daydream at this time, catching every bass, which came by his
Boat. Above him was a cloudless sky, with the sun, almost, blinding him, as
The sun’s rays seemed to bask down on him, but he was lucky, he had his
Sun glasses on, or he wouldn’t have been able to see what he was doing. And
At this time, John was at a nearby little old store, buying some bait and lures
With whatever money, he had on him at the time.

Then, as John was trying to steady himself as he got into the row boat, he then,
Happened to notice Doug way out on the lake, already, with firey blue eyes
Which had a glare to them, which, of course, John didn’t even try to notice at the
Time, being that Doug, already, had some sunglasses on. Doug was deep in
Thought about taking out revenge on his friend, only, because he was feeling on
Top of his world at this time. He didn’t want John, catching bigger fish than
Him, while out fishing on the lake, that morning, being that Doug was still
Angry at John, for not telling him, exactly why he had shown up at his house,
When he had appeared at his front door. But little did Doug know, that John
Didn’t want him to know anything about his divorce for fear, that he might just
Try talking him into getting back together with his ex-wife.