I Am Just a Poor Boy

Author's Notes

This is one of five flashes based on the Simon and
Garfunkle song _The_Boxer._ I wrote the one, "Asking Only
Workman's Wages," for the Summer Solstice Rom Festival, but
thought better of it and didn't post it then. When the
Anniversary Song Fest was announced, I thought to post it
and complete the series with one flash for each stanza of
the song. They have no order and are not connected to each
other in any way. As with anything they vary in quality,
but each captures the mood of the verse. I hope you enjoy.

Thank You and Good Day,
Kenny N. Gamera


I Am Just a Poor Boy
An ASSTR Anniversary Song Story
by
Kenny N Gamera

I was sitting next to him at the counter, drinking my
coffee. He was talking he does that, but I'd learn to
filter out most of what he said. He had said it before; he
would say it again.

My cup was at the half way point. I slowed down as I
waited for the waitress to walk by with the pot to refill
it. His was still a good ways from the top as he had spent
a while telling me what my problem was.

"You just need to be patient. A young buck like you has
plenty of time." The young waitress, barely out of high
school, walked by and smiled at him. "I wish I was your
age with all the girls jumping all over me, instead of
being a tired, worn-out, old man."

The girl walked by again. I waved my cup at her, and
she breezed by us on her way to the pick up area to check
on one of her orders. She grabbed three plates and
balancing the third on her forearm, rushed them to a table
behind us.

"Yep, you're lucky. You're young. Not old like me."

The waitress headed back our way. He winked at her.
She smiled back and came over with the coffee pot.

"Hi."

"Are we still on tonight."

"Yes, see you then."

"Oh, Ken." He said as he watched her wiggle away.
"I'll be leaving you at the job for a while. If your
mother calls cover for me."