I guess I’m Blessed

NOT EDITED

Running home to change should be easy when you live two and half blocks from school but today it’s like a ‘steeple chase’ just getting off the campus. I ran into Professor Weirdo, Mr. Danvers (calculus) in the #200 hall. I’m glad I put him in check last week because he was getting a little out of hand.

“Excuse me Mr. Kingston can I speak with you over here please?” asked Mr. Danvers.

The teachers lately started addressing some of us as Mr. and Ms... I think it’s silly.

Yes Mr. Danvers what can I do for you?” I said making sure I sounded less than pleased to be talking to a teacher. The halls have ears.

There are some teachers I like and some I can’t afford to be mixed with and Mr. Danvers was on the line.

“I have nude pictures of Bob (Robert Branton- [English]) and I’ll trade it for a nude picture of you,” he whispered way too close to me sensitive nose.

“Really, I don’t believe you,” I said after waiting for months and months for what Mr. Danvers said would be easy.

“Really, I got him to take a shower at my house after a racquet ball game when the showers were broken at the gym. I rigged my bathroom with hidden cameras and I got some good shots,” he said still whispering.

“There is no way I am giving you a nude picture of me. So let that go right now,” I said handing him a peppermint from me ever-present bag.

“You know I would keep it between you and me,” he said a little sadder and looking at the mint.

I nodded to the mint and sent a thought to his mind that he would like the mint.

“Like whatever man….there is not a TK photo shoot in your future. If that is what you need before you give me the pictures then I guess you did that for nothing,” I said trying to keep my face bored as kids walked by.

He took the little mint and popped it in his mouth. I wished it was the size of a softball.

“Hmm if that is how you feel I guess I’ll just destroy the pictures and the film?” He said trying to bait me.

TIRED-

“What ev, I’m over and out, keep the faith,” I said raising the Black Power fist as I turned to walk away.

What Mr. D-weirdo didn’t know is that about three weeks ago I came through campus around 7pm to use the bathroom on the way to Santa Monica Blvd. The locker room was open and while I was peeing I heard the shower running. So I peaked in and it was Mr. Branton. I didn’t know if he was alone or not, so I crept in and looked around and there was no one else there. I just leaned against the wall and watched. When he said, “You like what you see?” I almost jumped out of my skin. He knew I was watching. He gave me a really good show and my enjoyment was showing. There was no such thing as off limits for someone that I wanted that way. He had to be like dumb to not know I liked him but I was trying to not just jump in and rush and the sitch. More to follow for sure.

“OK you win Ted,” he said a little too loud for my taste.

“I gotta jet Mr. D. leave it in my locker, ‘almost evil’.” (All of the lockers in the school had a note slot in the front, why I didn’t know, but it was useful.)

“What does that mean?” He said looking annoyed.

“Locker number 665” said a chipper girl with red, yellow and orange hair to resemble flames. It was pretty well done.

I nodded yes and ran down the stairs and out of the side door. I should have kept running for sure, because as I rounded the corner I ran into my school counselor John Ramos. He looked broke…

“Hey John,” I said as I ran by.

“Hey Ted,” he said without his usual cheerfulness.

I didn’t want to but I had to stop. He was one of my favorites at this silly school and he seemed unusually sad.

I stopped and ran back, “What’s wrong John?”

“Well I guess it affects you to.”

Uh oh that doesn’t sound good, “What affects me to, John?”

He pulled me outside the gate and to the side.

“Well the Mrs. White asked me to give her a thorough report on my students including you.”

“So…. I figured you did that anyway. I hoped you left out the more personal stuff.”

“That just it she never asks, I even offered. Now she wants photo copies of my records.”

“Hmmm don’t you have a Psychologist license?” I asked thinking of a possible solution.

“Yes, why”

“Does Mrs. White have any kind of therapeutic license?”

“I don’t think so, where are you going with this?”

“When I first started going to you they told me you were a mandated in school therapist, not a counselor. So is there Doctor/ patient confidentiality between you and the students you see?”

“Yes I can’t tell anyone, but she is my direct supervisor and you guys are under 18 so it doesn’t work.”

“Oh damn, there goes that episode of ‘James at 15’ I saw the other day,” I said with a little smile. “Look I don’t care what you tell them about me but if you are holding a secret for someone then just leave that part out and tell her that the student asked you to keep that confidence and if you tell then you will be useless as a person of trust.”

“‘A person of trust’, I like that and it may work, thank you. Do you really not care who knows about you?” he asked looking me in the eye for the first time since we bumped into each other.

“My life is my life, what the F can anyone do to change it but me and I’m fine most of the time. People find out all the time. I can’t let it worry me. Don’t get in trouble because of me.”

He nodded OK like he understood and I hugged him and said it will all work out and ran across the street. I only have two and a half hours to turn myself into a more beautiful ‘A-Gay’ so I can fit in wherever Rowley and Cliff-a-tina take me tonight. I still have to relax my hair and pick out the right fit.

While the chemicals are straightening my hair and before my shower I check what I could possibly wear tonight. I say another silent thank you to the Gods and Goddess’ for touching the Sisters to keep offering this apartment to me. I know the Family don’t like it but sometimes you have to go against the tide.

It’s looking a little much outside this evening. Who says we don’t have weather in L. A. It’s all windy and cloudy; Miss L. A. might try and test us tonight.

The look is as follows; (my hair is black girl red right now)

I think it will be a version of British Mod tonight.

White dress shirt

Skinny black tie with the British flag repeated down the middle

Really slim black pants that fit tight w/ elastic in the material so they stretch

Black Mod one button dress sport coat

(I added small Mod/Ska band patches on to the right sleeve)

Mrs. Von Daisy from the Rotary club bought me some really cool almost knee high English boots from a trip to England that her family took. I’m am so glad they fit and are really comfortable. I’ve only worn them once and I already sent her a note of thank you like Ms. Katherine (ma) taught me.

On my freshly relaxed red head I will wear a cute black Bowler with a Diamond hat pin that Rainbow gave me and some black socks that match my tie’s motif.

OK my scalp is just starting to warm a little and I think it’s time to wash it out in the shower before it burns my roots and my hair falls out, another lesson from Ms Katherine.

Showered, blow dried, lotioned and I was mostly dressed when I hear my unruly flat-mate come in. Where does he go I think to myself?

“Hey Ted your dressed cool as usual. Where does a 15 year old kid get clothes like that with no job?” he asked looking into the bathroom.

“Hey Xavier, first I’m 16 and how do you know I don’t have a job? Maybe I’m a drug dealer like all young black boys are around here, like you told your friend the other day.”

“Sorry Teddy, (my evil eye) um Ted I didn’t know you heard that. Um there are a lot of drug dealers around here though,” he said trying to defend his stupid comment.

“Yes that is true and I should tell them all, my roommate has a problem with their chosen occupation.”

“Um you wouldn’t do that would you?” he said looking a little scared.

“Maybe, if you don’t lay off me,” I said still looking in the mirror.

Ah perfect, hair over my left eye and the fit is sharp. I have time to walk to the corner store for some gun. I walked past my shaken roommate and into my room.

“Hey Ted I’m sorry I just don’t know anything about young Black or Latin guys. I never met any until I moved here from New England and certainly no one like you, Black or White,” He said from my door way.

“Your sounding stupid again Xavier. People are people it’s just the flavoring that makes them different,” I said trying to not get charged before my time with the ghirlz.

“Maybe you are spicy flavored,” Xavier said trying to make things lighter.

“Could be or maybe I’m poison flavor Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch.” (Xavier’s most favorite thing in the free world)

He smiled and mumbled, “Good one” as he went to his room and closed the door and I heard it lock. I reach in the drawer and touched the crystal and thought; Billy I am on my way out with friends and tomorrow lets go to a witch friend and see if she can help you, OK?

I felt a little peak on the cheek, so that must mean all is good. I locked the door to my room and then the apartment door. I looked at the keys to my first apartment in my hand. I guess I’m blessed or charmed or something. Thank you again.

I am in a wonderful mood to lift Rowley and Ms. Cliff out of their bad space.

I was waiting to cross Sunset at Ivar when I looked in the gutter and there was something sparkly there. I will always be drawn to the sparkle I guess. I bend down to pick it up and it was a little purse, like something a little girl would carry. It’s stuffed with something. I look around and there was only cars whizzing by. I opened it and all I could see were bills stuffed inside. I looked to see if there is an ID and notta. I stepped across the street and behind a van and pulled out the cash. I saw some $20’s, $50’s and a couple of $100 dollars bills right away. There was a powder on everything…. Coke I bet. I took a $20 out and shoved the wad into my leather clutch (my clothes were too tight for a wallet). I went in the store and bought some gum. When I came out I gave the change to a drunk guy in front of the liquor store. I was taught by the witches to always share your fortunes, it pleases the spirits. Cool with me.

It turned out to be $583.00 minus the $19.45 I gave away. I guess I am blessed or charmed……………coolness ……………I hope.

TAT

Warm up and Burn

NOT EDITED

I really do want to go to dance class today. It’s one of those days in LA that I like, like so much. It’s about 68d and the clouds are all long like they were painted by Walt Disney himself and the sky is a kind of blue that feels like it’s belongs to my city alone. I just want to ride my board the rest of the day but I can’t if I want to keep up in class. So days I think what am I doing this for. I love it but sometimes I just want my life to be mine and 17. Sitting on the floor in the gym with Mr. Chuy in tights making us do all kinds of stretches. I guess since I have permission to leave after this to go downtown to my other school for dance class. This is a pretty good warm up. I don’t know why we are not doing this outside.

I looked over at Tangy and Lynetta-Marie and gave them a look that said how much of this can we stand. They returned the look. They were always together. They even worked it out so all their classes are together. They seem sweet, at least to me. Lynetta-Marie rolled her eyes and said something to Tangy in their own language. I asked once how long they knew each other and they said like from birth literally. They were born at the same hospital at the same time and their parents went to the same La Mase classes together. When Tangy was 2 months old they moved across the street from Lynetta-Marie’s family.

Mr. Chuy was into it now he had us like doing back-bends. It was most definitely going to warm me up for class. OK, OK I guess I’m going. At least I get to see my ghirls that I like in that class.

Hmm does Mr. Chuy have a little hole in his cycling tights? It doesn’t matter I think he has a jock on like always. Some men should wear as little as possible and he is one of my nominations. I think he said we were going to stretch the whole class. Oh well it’s OK with me, better than running around the track or pretending to enjoy touch football or softball or any other athletic endeavor that involves the people in my class. Some of the guys are real retreads (people that should be ground up and remade into new human beings).

We get up to do some kind of lunging thing with our arms up. We almost all needed to be re-elined. So Mr. Chuy came around to all of up and I saw what he was doing so I stuck out my butt so he would have to touch me. I can be such a touch whore sometimes. You would think not from what I do at night but that doesn’t count to me. I’ll explain later.

So Mr. Chuy has helped everyone but me, some them twice or more. He is walking around the class then he says “OK change legs.” What he never fixed me!?! I thought. Then change to the next leg and stick my butt out again and twist my shoulders. Then I feel hands on my shoulder and waist.

I turn to look and jump.

Gavril Gonzales White –WTF! are you doing?

[I have never liked him. He used to be a first team sports guy and dropped two passes and lost the games for our school and then he quit the team and grew his hair long and now he’s spiritual.]

Why are you touching me? I said.

You looked terribly out of line so I was helping you. He said looking all hurt that I would yell.

As long as I’ve known you when have you ever in life thought I wanted you to touch me?

Why is my touch so bad? I was just helping a friend.

Friend, did he just call me a friend?

Tangy said Yes he did, Ted.

I looked her and Lynetta-Marie and said is out of his freaking mind.

Mr. Chuy was there before I could get all up in his ugly face. I was going to snatch me some long blonde hair.

Mr. Chuy grabbed me, putting his body between me and my target. Damn he is solid. I almost lost my steam. But over his round shoulders was the object of my outrage.

What’s going on Ted? Said Mr. Chuy

This retread touched me!

I was just helping him. He was out of line Mr. C.

I shot him a look that moved him back. [I said I was picky about who touches me.]

If he was just helping you out why did you get mad? Said Mr. Chuy as he was pulling off to the side of the gym with the bench

I waited until we sat down and he told the class to walk-stride back and forth the long way 10x.

What’s really going on Ted?

I just don’t like Gavril White in any way and he has known it since the second day of the 9^th grade.

I didn’t know you two had such feeling. Mr. Chuy said with his arm still around my shoulders.

I have always made it clear that we were not friends and not enemies. That would take me thinking about him.

Wow Ted I didn’t know. Did he try and give you a hard time for being different?

You mean because I’m Gay? As if, I would have smashed him into something more useful like a door stop.

Mr. Chuy looked shocked and pulled his arm away.

Look I have you ever met someone who goes far beyond rubbing you the wrong way. What if you met Charles Manson or Hitler would let them touch you? I said.

Well your right I wouldn’t let those guys touch me, but Gavril hasn’t killed anyone, I don’t think.

Maybe not but I get the same creepy feeling when he’s around. I usually leave.

Are you going to be able to finish the class?

Sure if he doesn’t touch or get anywhere near me again I’ll try.

If you need straightening again I’ll make sure it me that does it. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear “I know that’s what you wanted anyway, right?

He put me on pause; I didn’t even know he knew I was all about him. Umm oops.

I-I-I Umm Yes I guess I did.

I thought so, no get out there and do some strides so the others won’t think I’m playing favorites. And he pats me on the butt. If I was white I would have been fire-engine red.

I was going to have to mark that for later discussion.

I finished my strides quick and we all did a cool down stretch and off to the locker room.

When I walk in was I not expecting Gavril to be waiting for me. I thought he was at least that smart. I’m glad I didn’t call in that bet. The fool was sitting by my locker looking all sad and hopeful.

I wasn’t going anywhere near the retread. I asked Devlin, one of the bigger guys in our class to tell him to move away. Devlin likes me because I floor one of his enemies in a fight two years ago.

Devlin is big and some crazy. He only claims to like 3 guys in our school and only the girls with big racks. That what he says, I’m just glad to be 1 of the 3.

Devlin strolled over to Gavril and asked him very politely for Devlin to move his ass away from my locker. To my surprise Gavril didn’t move,

He said in a little whine, I just want to talk to Ted to try and work things out. I want to be friends.

Well you Hippy Mo-Fo he doesn’t want to work anything out with you. said Devlin

I stood back arms crossed and pinched.

Devlin reached for Gavril’s arm but Gavril jumped back and moved away.

I walked slowly over to my locker to dress quickly and get out of there.

After I dressed in Black pant cut off at the calve and rolled above the knee and a white dress shirt and black Docs and black and white knee socks. I stopped at Devlin’s locker to thank him. I snuck a sneakers bar onto his locker shelf. He is easy to please. He just had a t-shirt and socks on. Too bad kids don’t do it for me I would have all I wanted to look at right around me, but no.

I jetted outside to grab a mini pot pie for the bus ride.

TAT

TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY

NOT EDITED

I woke up thinking that it was going to be a good and regular day. I never know what the day will bring, but a few months ago some guy on Hollywood Blvd. stopped me to talk about the power of positive thinking. At first he sounded like just another Sun-baked, self-helper but then for some reason I decided to give him a chance. Some of what he said made sense. One of his rules were; as soon as you open your eyes start thinking that it’s going to be a good day; beautiful, fun and full of promise. I told him I would try and here I am doing it.

Today is going to be a great day and full of new and wonderful things to do and see, I said out loud to the Universe from under my warm blanket.

That was kind of easy because I’m skipping school this Friday and to hang with K double D (aka Kevin David Dempsey) and Jimmy James. Two of my favorite gay friends my own age and I know plenty of gay kids my own age but they are usually struggling more than me or so far from me with the big houses and Butlers that sometimes I can’t relate. K double D and Jimmy James are just regular kids, but in a fabulous way. They don’t know it but when I dream of a regular life, it’s their lives I dream about. They both have two parents, they are out and the Rent’s are cool, happy and actually proud of their kids. Jimmy’s Parent’s were even in P-flag until he beg them to drop out. We are in advance jazz dance class at the Los Angeles Performing Art Academy together. We clicked right away and have been good friends every since. I told them about my life as a kind of check. If they freaked then we would not make it as friends.

So it’s Thursday and I still have to get up and get dressed for school. I through the covers back and listen for the shower to see if my slob of a flat-mate is already up. It sounds like he is so I can turn on the radio. I love to start my day with music. I bought myself a cassette clock radio from this store on Hollywood blvd. The guy behind the counter was a dream. I think he was Irish; I’m a sucker for a sexy accent. He had that plus gray eyes and long hair with gray on the sides. I would have bought whatever he said but I got just what I asked for and at a good price. His name was Donovan and when I said I needed something to wake me up because I’m not a morning person he said, “I bet I could change that”. I said excuse me and he said, “Oh nothing”. He was most definitely flirting with me with all the bending over and stretching. I will go back later on.

I hit play and the funky beat started. I jumped out of bed and did and perfect double pirouette. I bent at the waist and stretched my back then my shoulders. I put my foot on the edge of the bed and leaned forward to stretched one thigh, then the other. I was feeling good today. Maybe there is something to this positive thinking.

I danced over to my closet to the song “Tell me something good” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. I found this old tape in a box on the street, I think it’s about 6 or 7 years old, but I love me some Chaka. I pulled the look as follows:

Navy blue jumpsuit (stamped with navy blue flowers)

Blue suede ultra hi tops* thick blue sox.

Navy blue T (bleach spattered and washed)

Navy blue silk boxers

A dark blue scrunchie from my friend Nicole

*The shoes were an unhappy gift from Mark “little red” Morgan. He wore them to school and hated them. He was walking by on the way to change at his locker. He asked if I wanted his shoes and I looked them over and they were brand new. I asked why he was giving them up and claimed they made him unhappy for some reason. I didn’t get any vibe from them and they were my size. I put them in my locker to either give away to the Fam or take to one of the witches to see if there was something on them. Cool for me.

I heard the bathroom door creak open and I knew it was my turn. I grab my towel off the back of the door. I keep my towel in my room because once I found it wet and sticky from my flat-mate. That’s soo nasty. I dashed for the door and ran right in to Xavier. He screamed and dropped his towel. Now I said I’m feeling good but seeing my flat-mates shriveled cookies was a little much even for me. I jumped back and then picked up his towel and handed it to him.

“Maybe you need to iron that once in awhile.”

“Iron my towel, I just let it air dry”, Xavier said.

“Who was talking about your towel,” I said as scooted past him and smacked him on the butt.

Hey, I was washing my hands anyway. As I was brushing my teeth there was a knock on the door. I opened it and there was Xavier in his tighties and nothing else. Dang!! (I’ve seen worse.) I looked away.

“Yes,” through a mouth full of toothpaste.

“I walked past your room and saw you were going to wear all blue and I decided to give you this early. I was going to just leave by your door when I left today,” he said holding up a blue bottle.

I looked at the bottle without touching it. It was number 28 medium midnight blue hair color. Where would a guy like Xavier get such a thing? I spit out my minty goodness and wiped my mouth.

“Xavier that’s 28 mmb, where did you get such a thing?” I asked trying not to attack him.

“I have a friend who cuts and colors my hair. She says she only uses something called 50…50 …umm.

“50 Midnight.”

“Yes I think that’s it.”

“Yeah ‘50 Midnight’ is a very dark blue hair color. It looks like black until it’s in the Sun,” said flexing my homegrown cosmetology knowledge.

“This Salesman gave it to her by mistake and she didn’t want it and I asked her if I could have it for you,” he said shyly.

“Wow what a nice thing to do, that stuff is top of the line.” (still not taking it from him.) “What do you want for it?”

“Nothing I thought it would be like an, I’m not such a bad guy gift.”

“Well you’re probably not, such a bad guy, just new to life around different people.”I said.

“Well I’m trying to be more open and friendly. Here Ted, I have to get dressed, eat and leave.” He said handing me the beautiful blue bottle.

“OK this is a very nice gift thank you and tell your friend thank you.”

“She said if you need any help just ask,” Xavier handed me a card from Robert Rucston’s hair salon.

“Nice, who cuts your hair at Rucston’s?” I asked still in the doorway.

Over his shoulder he said, “Betty-Ann Rucston, his younger sister and are best friends from preschool, back in New England”.

“Cool for you, I think I can handle it. Thank you again.”

I go back into the bathroom to finish my morning stuff. I can’t color my hair this morning but maybe tonight, so I’ll be smooth for tomorrow with the girlz.

I jumped in my clothes and packed my bag with my quick changes and hustled to the kitchen for a Pop-tart and off. Xavier was eating his favorite Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch and reading the paper.

“Hey Ted no blue hair yet?” he asked over the LA times.

“Naw maybe tonight, no time this morning for the full treatment.”

“I can call Betty-Ann and see if she can fit you in after school, would you like that?” he asks still trying to be friendly. “She goes by Bett-Ti now though, not Betty-Ann, please remember that when you meet her.”

I thought for a second and maybe that could be even better.

“Sure how about around 4pm? I’ll stop be there on my way back from L.A.P.A.A..”

“Umm L.A.P.A.A.?” Xavier asked

“I go to the Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy after lunch every day for dance, acting and voice classes.”

“Oh I didn’t know, I thought you just went to regular school.”

“Naw I’ve been going there for awhile, I really enjoy the classes there.” I said.

OK I’ll call Bett-Ti and let her know you’ll be stopping by around 4pm.”

“Solid- I should be getting to school,” I said and remembered to grab the beautiful blue bottle and shove it in a plastic bag and into my big shoulder bag.

As I ran out of the door and down the street, it was like this totally picture perfect kind of day, like the back lot of an old MGM picture.

Maybe my Flat-mate Xavier Grumman will turn out to be not the jerk I thought.

Psf- Annabelle didn’t raise no fools.

The Crystal Cell

>NOT EDITED<

Walking around Venice Beach alone after dark always makes me a little nervous so I try to avoid it as much as I can. Today I went to a friend’s house to watch “Kramer vs. Kramer” on video. I wasn’t going to watch it but it was up for best picture of the year. I got it from this kid at school whose father worked on the picture. We didn’t start as soon as I got there so it was over later than I’d planned. All the relaxed feelings I got hanging out with Victor while he house sat for his brother in his cool top floor apartment was starting to leave fast as I walked through the dark, deserted boardwalk. I always get the feeling that I’m being watched when I walk through here after dark.

The Witches I know say of course you are. Like that makes me feel any better.

“Theodore when will you just accept that your power draws all kinds of things to you?” asks Ms. Epiphany Proudfoot

“Just about the time when your things start respecting my space,” I told the lovely Ms. Proudfoot.

But I knew what she meant and I didn’t always like that I seemed to be some kind of super natural conduit for things that couldn’t be explained easily. My life had been getting more and more full of the Special and not so special moments every day since I was around 6.

Right now on the Boardwalk it felt like one of those Special things was zeroing in on me as I walked towards the bus stop. Suddenly I could almost make out the form of a man up a head, a little taller than me, walking my way. As he got closer he became a little clearer but not really if you know what I mean. He looked like he was wearing a Fedora and long trench coat. That is not as odd as you might think on an LA beach in the winter at 11:45 at night it could get pretty cold. I myself was dressed for the cold. As I got closer the man faded out completely but then reappeared next to one of the few trees on the path. [I often touched it out of respect since there are so few trees in some parts of LA.] As soon as I saw him disappear I knew he was a dang ghost. I have been seeing ghost and other worldly personas most of my life, so I was not shocked, but that doesn’t mean I always like it. Why me, why now?

So when the ghost/guy asked for the time, I didn’t hesitate to pull out my pocket watch and tell him and I didn’t break stride but when I looked back to tell him he wasn’t there. He should have been behind me but there he was five, ten steps in front of me. So as I past I told him the time and kept stepping. I made it around the corner and could see the bus bench and no one was there waiting. That could be a bad sign that maybe I missed the bus. If so the next one could be along in 45 to an hour.

As I sat down on the far right end bench to wait there he was on the opposite end of the bench staring out into the great beyond.

“So I guess you are wondering why I am following you?” the ghost said.

“Hmm, excuse me, are you talking to me.” I said knowing full well.

“Yes I’ve been waiting for you to finish the movie and leave.”

“Well I appreciate you waiting and not appearing to me while I was with my friend. Sometimes friends don’t appreciate a spirit dropping by. What can I do for you, if I can do for you….”

“Well I guess I should start from the beginning….”

{-wait really, the beginning? That sounds like a really long story??} [Think of any teenager whining and that was me right then.]

“OK maybe the beginning of why I need help.” The Ghost noticed I was looking a bit nervous.

“That sounds better, thank you.” I said trying to sound less like a whiny kid.

Well I died about 80 years ago. [That explains his retro clothing. Ghost often appear how they saw themselves when they died, unless something horrible happened or if they gain some power to change their appearance.] It was my own fault and I accepted that. I didn’t know what was supposed to happen but I thought I was supposed to go somewhere up or down but nothing happened for a while. I just floated around Los Angeles for years. Most people couldn’t see me but some could, like you. After a while I could see what people called an energy pattern around live people, especially the ones who could see me or better yet talk to me. So one day I see this real “hot tamale” of a redhead going to an apartment off of Sunset Boulevard. I thought maybe I could talk to her, you know on account of her having such strong energy. When I was alive I didn’t know or believe in any of this Hocus Pocus stuff. But hey you change when you have to, ya reading me, kid? I nodded yes. So the redhead went into her apartment and I slipped in to see if she was alone and she was. So I thought I would take it slow but as soon as I got inside she looked right at me and said, ‘who are you?’

“I was thrown, you wouldn’t think you can do that to a ghost, but you can.” Mr. Ghost man said excitedly.

[I usually let ghost and the like get it all out before I interrupt them. They often haven’t spoken to anyone in a long time.]

‘So Hello, Ms. I said to her; Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you. I am William Rapherty, people used to call me Billy, well before I was a ghost and all. Ah you can see me! I think that’s great!’

“Now this tamale didn’t look shocked at all that there was a ghost talking to her in the living room, so that was great for me.” Billy the ghost said.

She said, ‘My name is Rosarita Maria Rosales-Marquez and you are not the first ghost that I have seen.’

As she spoke I could see that she started lighting candles and some kind of incense. She took some kind of glass stones out of a bag from a drawer and placed them around the room. While I rattle off at the mouth she finished what she was doing and sat in front of me and started saying something in an odd language, it sounded like Spanish and I started to feel a pull for the first time in a long time. I thought she was sending me on to my Maker but that was not the case. She trapped me in one of her glass stones.

“A crystal” I said, “most likely Quartz. The more pure the better it holds” I said sounding smugger than I wanted to.

“So you know about this stuff huh?”

Well I was trapped inside this Crystal thing for a long time and I’m sure of that. I think she harvested little bits of the energy that I still had left. She kept me there and used it to do different kinds of spells to make herself richer and to make men and women fall in love with her. She also found out that if she touched the crystal and a person she could hear their thoughts. She used a spell to make herself look younger but it didn’t last. She wanted something that worked permanently but I don’t think she knew how. She took me with her whenever she would travel and one time she traded me to a guy and then poisoned him and took the crystal back. She would talk to me for hours, I think I was her only friend left and I was long dead. Later she got killed after some fidgety guy broke into her place to steal something he could sell. She tried to fight back but she was old and too slow. I wanted to hate Old Rosie but she was kind of sad in her clutching for everything. So her stuff was given away or sold off. The crystal that I’m still in changed hands several times over the years but I never landed in the hands of anyone who could free me. Some would be Witches and I tried to hide from most of them and a few kids who thought crystal was pretty or as they would say it was super neat. Now I sit on the shelf of guy who can kind of feel that something is different about the crystal but in the end just thinks it’s nice to have around.

“OK that is an interesting and moving tale and would make an darn good movie but I have to ask; Why are you telling me your story?”

[Where is that damn bus?]

“Well before I tell you that, let me say that when I was alive I played for both teams if you catch my meaning? I kept the one in private because of the times. But I understand the need.”

[I know I can be a jerk* when men are trying not to say something like this, but I just am]

“‘Both teams??’ You kept one what private??” “What are you trying to say? Please speak directly, you’re a ghost who are you protecting?” [*jerk]

“I go funny sometimes, I, I’m like you, kind of.”

“Oh you mean… now we say Bi-sexual for what you are and I am Gay. So you are open to both men and women and I just like men.” [*jerk]

“Ah OK, times have changed. About a week ago you were with a guy in the hills for a night of fun.”

“You have to be more specific, again I am with a few guys (more or less) for a night of fun” [*jerk]

“Well this guy is named Barry Wasserstein and he looks like this”- [and there was sexy Barry a.k.a. BMW sitting right there.] “Now do you remember me?”

“Sure I remembered BMW Barry. [Barrymore Matthesson Wasserstein, he pointed out that his initials and his car were the same. He seemed very surprised that I knew that the BMW on the car was for Bavarian Motor Works.]We met at this dance club ‘Dice’. He was nice enough that I didn’t really want to charge him but he insisted.”

“Ummm so you’re a Prostitute? Why would a guy pay another for sex? Has the times changed that much?” He said and Billy was back

“Because right now being young is a powerful thing and even a kid needs to have money now-a-days. Looks if you’re out here talking to me doesn’t that mean that you’re free from Ms. Rosales Marquez’s spell and please watch your freakin’ judgments or I’m done. I get enough of that from live people” I said feeling somewhat hurt.

“I’m sorry; even though I’ve been around for a long time I guess sometimes I’m still a man of that time. I apologize for judging you. The reason I came to you is that you’re the first person to be around in a long time with the kind of energy that I can sense strong enough. When you and Barry had sex your energy was enormous, did you know that?” said Billy looking a little too excited.”

“Sex magic is very strong and easy for someone to do if they practice but it can become addictive if you’re not careful. I only use it for protection mostly. It can be dangerous to be a Prostitute now-a-days” I said strongly.

“Oh so you do, do magic, that’s great you see the ‘Hot Tamale’ put something in her spell that she couldn’t break before she died. She was able to free me to move around but I am still bound to the stone, uh crystal. When she was dying she came to me and tried to free me and apologized for her greed and abuse of power. Then something big and dark came and swallowed her up and she was gone. So I can move around for while and then I have to go back. Over the years I have gotten better and better at it.”

“So you need someone to finish what Ms. Rosales-Marquez started and you think I can help you?’

“Yes, that’s about the size of it. Maybe you can do it with sex magic or you know someone you trust to do it?”

“Why would I get involved in this? Maybe all you say is a lie and you are a very bad spirit or ghoul that needs to stay in that crystal for the good of humanity?” [My great grand didn’t raise no fools]

“I remember Old Rosie telling me an experienced Witch can tell everything just by holding the crystal, maybe if you hold it?” Billy pleaded.

“I’m most definitely not an experienced witch” I said quickly.

“But I bet you know one or two?” said Billy the ghost.

“What about Barry? Do you think he is going to just give me an expensive crystal from his collection of things? I don’t think so, I barely know him.”

“I think he will give you anything you ask for. I saw how he looked after you left.”

“That was bliss after good sex and nothing else.” I said.

“OK, OK just ask him and see, if not we will try something else.”

“We, when did you and I become we?”

“Please I really need your help… I don’t have anything to pay you with so what can I do to get you to help me? Maybe I will haunt you until you help me…” Billy said with a weak smile.

“Please I would have your ghostly ass locked in that crystal before you said Boo” I said without a smile. “OK I saw you turn into Barry before so I guess you can change to whatever you want, right?”

“Yes I think so why?”

“Is this how you really look or is this what you thought would work for me?” I asked unsure I wanted to see the real deal.

“This is how I looked before I died, minus the more up to date clothes.”

“Um Billy, you look fine but those clothes are not really up-to-date. [*jerk] OK since you saw me naked you have to return the favor and I’ll think about helping you.” I said with a little smile.

“What right out here on the bus bench?” Billy said looking as embarrassed as a ghost could look.

“Look you’re a ghost and I am one of the few who can see you. Besides, seeing a naked guy sitting on a bus bench in Venice beach is not all that unusual in this time. Why would you care anyway?” I said trying to push him on.

-then he shimmered

And there was the ghost of Mr. William (Billy) Rapherty in all his ghostly sexiness. I am such a Perv, but you have to work with what you have.

“OK I’ll call Barry and see what I can do” I said taking him all in slowly.

[Billy smiled and looked down at his hard dick and then looked up and faded right through me. I could feel him going through my energy.]

I look up and there was the # 42 bus with door open and the driver looked at me with big smile.

I guess I have a new adventure. What do people say, No rest for the wicked and the Pervy.

TaT April 14, 2011 completed