03-13-2020, 11:33 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-17-2020, 07:52 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 21
As we walk in the Circle Grill making more noise than should be, it immediately got quiet while eyes started to focus on those noisy kids. That would be both of us. I felt like everyone was staring right at me for some reason. Then Steve said, Hey look everyone is staring right at you for some reason. He gives me the once over and says what a mess I was. No wonder everyone is being so obvious.
It is now very bright inside and the first time I can see the condition of my clothes. I look down and realize they are rubber necking at me for a reason. My tee shirt is torn, covered in grass stains.
I see my arms and realize what Steve had mentioned earlier. Under the scrapes, dirt and oil, they are bruised all over. Dried blood in scratches, and still dusted with sand. My well broken in once perfect fitting Levis are filthy and ripped at the knees. Sad these are a getting retired now. Guess they will be cut in to shorts for the summer.
Steve suggests a trip to the repair room and attempt to make my presence look more presentable. Granted there isnt much to work with, but to do what I can. No reason to cause the other customers to loose their appetites over my appearance. Otherwise he is sitting at a different table. Thanks Steve, I needed that!
So excusing myself from the waitress that was seating us, I headed away to do some damage control. The expression on her face was an obvious sign of how bad my appearance really was. For the first time tonight I got a real good look at myself in the mirror. Oh the horror!
If it were Halloween, I would have been all set. But about six months too early. Staring in the mirror for a moment, I sort of lost my appetite. This face is a nightmare. The dried blood, black eye, bruises, and butterfly bandages, really did look like a real makeup job for some costume party.
Steve didnt mention just how bad this eye was. The white of my eye was dark, nearly black crimson. Almost looking possessed, with one all black eye. Wow, if looks could hurt, I would be hospitalized right now. Glad the pain is only a light throb.
I had forgotten about the ace bandages on my wrists too. Took a few minutes, but able to remove most of the surface rust. This restroom had the revolving cloth hand towel. You pull it down wipe your hands and it rolls up in the back of metal box. I really hated these.
My hopes were to dampen a paper towel and try to wipe some of the dirt off my clothes. Ended up with a wad of toilet paper instead. This stuff sure is strong tho. Doesnt really seem to absorb much water. Not what I would care to use elsewhere. But worked well enough on knocking some of this dirt off my pants.
Splashing cold water on my face really felt good. After a quick wash, then cleaning up a mess all over the sink, looked a little less for wear. Back out to find the table. My appetite was coming back too.
Steve mentioned that next time maybe doing the cleanup before making such a grand entrance. Might save an embarrassing moment. But said it was worth seeing the look on my face earlier. He said this would have made a great Kodak moment.
After downing what felt like a gallon of tea, very sweet ice tea, I am feeling back to normal more so, except for some aches and pains. We delved in small talk that didnt amount to anything. For some reason nothing harping on tonights incident. I got the feeling my dad had been much more concerned about my well being than letting on.
The food arrived and I didnt miss a beat on shoveling it down. Man was that good. Both Steve and dad just stared at me for a moment. What can I say? I am a growing boy and need my nourishment.
Driving back home was very uneventful. So much that I fell asleep on the way back. It is like someone just pulled the plug on me. I was done. Dont remember even getting back or how I made it to bed.
Normally Steve and I would stay outside in a tent. But the next morning, well actually afternoon when I woke, was in my own bed. Steve had slept in my oldest brothers room, since he was away at college.
I just about screamed when trying to get up out of bed. Every part of my body was already doing that. The pain I was feeling is not something I would want to deal with at all ever again. Did I mention how much my body ached?
Still dressed in yesterdays tattered clothes. My leg was tingling and numb from being asleep in a funky position for so long. When I tried to stand up, just gave out and I hit the floor. I hate it when that happens. You cant do anything until it gets back to normal. So hypersensitive too. It feels all swollen and numb at the same time.
Reminds me of getting Novocaine at the dentist when having a cavity filled. You cant really feel your face and trying to talk is more than awkward. Top that off with the bruises and scratches all over my body only compounded the pains.
Since only yelling out a silent scream, didnt garnish the attention of anyone. I just sat there until my leg came back to near normal, then stood up still shaky. Looking over at the dresser mirror I noticed my hair was also having a bad day.
Reminded me of my old pet Abyssinian guinea pigs natural hairdo. Sure miss that little dude. He would always start oinking when ever I came home from school. I would pet him for a while and he would just purr like a cat. Been a few years now since age got the best of him.
Made myself scarce for a while taking a very long and desperately needed hot shower. Then discovered how much road rash I had sustained the night before. Had to be careful stepping into some fresh clothes, but feeling a little more human again. Time to find out what is going on today.
As we walk in the Circle Grill making more noise than should be, it immediately got quiet while eyes started to focus on those noisy kids. That would be both of us. I felt like everyone was staring right at me for some reason. Then Steve said, Hey look everyone is staring right at you for some reason. He gives me the once over and says what a mess I was. No wonder everyone is being so obvious.
It is now very bright inside and the first time I can see the condition of my clothes. I look down and realize they are rubber necking at me for a reason. My tee shirt is torn, covered in grass stains.
I see my arms and realize what Steve had mentioned earlier. Under the scrapes, dirt and oil, they are bruised all over. Dried blood in scratches, and still dusted with sand. My well broken in once perfect fitting Levis are filthy and ripped at the knees. Sad these are a getting retired now. Guess they will be cut in to shorts for the summer.
Steve suggests a trip to the repair room and attempt to make my presence look more presentable. Granted there isnt much to work with, but to do what I can. No reason to cause the other customers to loose their appetites over my appearance. Otherwise he is sitting at a different table. Thanks Steve, I needed that!
So excusing myself from the waitress that was seating us, I headed away to do some damage control. The expression on her face was an obvious sign of how bad my appearance really was. For the first time tonight I got a real good look at myself in the mirror. Oh the horror!
If it were Halloween, I would have been all set. But about six months too early. Staring in the mirror for a moment, I sort of lost my appetite. This face is a nightmare. The dried blood, black eye, bruises, and butterfly bandages, really did look like a real makeup job for some costume party.
Steve didnt mention just how bad this eye was. The white of my eye was dark, nearly black crimson. Almost looking possessed, with one all black eye. Wow, if looks could hurt, I would be hospitalized right now. Glad the pain is only a light throb.
I had forgotten about the ace bandages on my wrists too. Took a few minutes, but able to remove most of the surface rust. This restroom had the revolving cloth hand towel. You pull it down wipe your hands and it rolls up in the back of metal box. I really hated these.
My hopes were to dampen a paper towel and try to wipe some of the dirt off my clothes. Ended up with a wad of toilet paper instead. This stuff sure is strong tho. Doesnt really seem to absorb much water. Not what I would care to use elsewhere. But worked well enough on knocking some of this dirt off my pants.
Splashing cold water on my face really felt good. After a quick wash, then cleaning up a mess all over the sink, looked a little less for wear. Back out to find the table. My appetite was coming back too.
Steve mentioned that next time maybe doing the cleanup before making such a grand entrance. Might save an embarrassing moment. But said it was worth seeing the look on my face earlier. He said this would have made a great Kodak moment.
After downing what felt like a gallon of tea, very sweet ice tea, I am feeling back to normal more so, except for some aches and pains. We delved in small talk that didnt amount to anything. For some reason nothing harping on tonights incident. I got the feeling my dad had been much more concerned about my well being than letting on.
The food arrived and I didnt miss a beat on shoveling it down. Man was that good. Both Steve and dad just stared at me for a moment. What can I say? I am a growing boy and need my nourishment.
Driving back home was very uneventful. So much that I fell asleep on the way back. It is like someone just pulled the plug on me. I was done. Dont remember even getting back or how I made it to bed.
Normally Steve and I would stay outside in a tent. But the next morning, well actually afternoon when I woke, was in my own bed. Steve had slept in my oldest brothers room, since he was away at college.
I just about screamed when trying to get up out of bed. Every part of my body was already doing that. The pain I was feeling is not something I would want to deal with at all ever again. Did I mention how much my body ached?
Still dressed in yesterdays tattered clothes. My leg was tingling and numb from being asleep in a funky position for so long. When I tried to stand up, just gave out and I hit the floor. I hate it when that happens. You cant do anything until it gets back to normal. So hypersensitive too. It feels all swollen and numb at the same time.
Reminds me of getting Novocaine at the dentist when having a cavity filled. You cant really feel your face and trying to talk is more than awkward. Top that off with the bruises and scratches all over my body only compounded the pains.
Since only yelling out a silent scream, didnt garnish the attention of anyone. I just sat there until my leg came back to near normal, then stood up still shaky. Looking over at the dresser mirror I noticed my hair was also having a bad day.
Reminded me of my old pet Abyssinian guinea pigs natural hairdo. Sure miss that little dude. He would always start oinking when ever I came home from school. I would pet him for a while and he would just purr like a cat. Been a few years now since age got the best of him.
Made myself scarce for a while taking a very long and desperately needed hot shower. Then discovered how much road rash I had sustained the night before. Had to be careful stepping into some fresh clothes, but feeling a little more human again. Time to find out what is going on today.