CNF: Handsome Man
by Edwin Litts
He’s waiting on the bus bench in front of the store, his shaven face and perfectly parted hair tell me that he tried it the old school way; that he gave it all he had. That portly frame continues to show us that effort today; his perfectly starch-pressed short-sleeved shirt and cargo shorts, and those quite noticeable identically and seemingly maternally-tied big-bowed white sneaker laces are all remnants of that ole college try: Dreams through hard work and patience are oh so promisingly obtainable too.
It used to be that when we entered that huge all-in-one store we were directed to the shoe department or to the newly shelved vacuums. Now it seems, we are led to the “P’s”; Pharmacy Pills and more of that dreaded Printer ink. Oh, do we employ so too much of that anxious routine today. Was it the unnecessary impersonal technology that knocked you down? Was it too fickle to you?
Presently, Handsome Man introduces us to a new trend:
“Go to the bakery my boys and girls. Select that particularly nice looking 33 dollar butter creme yellow cake and picnic it right out front here. That colorful and delicious raspberry center can offset any bus exhaust too. Remember boys and girls to bring in your fork from home with you.”
We notice your novel and daring resistance, Handsome Man. Enticingly different indeed.
Eleven thirty in the morning now and waiting for his daily bus back home. Glossy water tearing down from his red shins encourages the Handsome Man to take the Express, but not today though. “I am, of course, always considering that fast heavenly Express indeed, but just quite not right now.”
Continue on with that defiance of yours Handsome Man, and was it the loss of a child or a love that stopped you cold?
With that observable resigned lonesomeness Handsome Man snuffs out his cigarette on that huge sugar-encrusted, white doily-like paper and cardboard circle that had once offered that magnificently promising, but now-spent banquet cake. He sacrifices this now new rubbish to the cylindrical receptacle and, with decorum, labors himself onto his slower and predictable downhill coach for the way back home.
Oh!, Turn around Handsome Man for that once-again magnificently promising existence back uphill. You are promised once more that it will not be all for not. Life is not rubbish at all.
Still presently we hear, “The bakery is the only department you need for now.”
Show us the way Handsome Man. Show us your true defiance Handsome Man. Are we all destined for only that one fair option: “Remember boys and girls to bring in your fork from home with you?”
Always, the rich icing designs seen through the other side of that baker’s glass case look so enticingly fascinating indeed. That always available heavenly Express, and other choices too.
Most days that approaching decision is just a block or two away; just two or three minutes away. But,continue to show us your defiance, Handsome Man. Humanity needs you to.
Today though, “The bakery is the only department you need for now. Don’t forget boys and girls to bring in your fork from home with you.”
Edwin Litts is married, the father of two sons; he enjoys playing sports with his boys and running: forty marathons completed. He savors a cup of morning coffee along with a slice of evening apple pie. Ed and his family love their guinea pig and insomniac cat too
What surprising, fascinating stuff can you tell us about the origin, drafting, and/or final version of “Handsome Man”? People-watching fascinates me. I’m sure that many enjoy doing this. I find that a majority of the ‘watched’ display consistent markings throughout their auditioning. For example, their behavior often matches how they are dressed or their level of pallor may match their degree of frown. For myself, the individuals who stand out are the ones who display their inconsistencies. With ‘HandsomeMan’ I see a well-groomed but unhealthy-looking individual. He seems to be sad and possibly unemployed, but continues to maintain an ability to display etiquette, and to not show any understandably-building internal anger. He is meticulous with the tying of his perfectly matched big-looped sneaker shoelaces but does not appear to care about being seen out in public devouring an entire banquet sheet cake. A sad morning for him, he is indeed alone sitting on that bus bench. It is easy to remember ‘Handsome Man.’ It is understandable to feel sorry for him. Is it O.K. today to feel sad for others? If I knew you Handsome Man, perhaps l would help you. You do though prod us a little to help the ones that we can.
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