Blood sprays up the walls and then trickles back down. Remember that.
I took my dog for a walk around the neighborhood again this morning. Like i do most mornings, rain or shine. Being summer here, i would imagine my appearance frightens and confuses the neighbors. The seasons confuse me so i dress for the extreme cold and keep on dressing that way year around. The big overcoat also comes in handy for hiding things, like guns, blades, ammo, smoke canisters, grenades, etc.
So im walking the dog this morning when one of the neighbor kids waves at me from their front yard "hello there mister", she says. Her nervous father comes outside and quickly tells the little girl to go back in the house as he pretends to be looking around the driveway for a sunday paper.
I pause in front of his house to give the dog a chance to poop in his front yard. After a spell, i throw my cigarette out on his lawn, still lit, and slowly make my way to the next house.
After a while i am tired and so i return home where i sit on the front porch and pet my dog. I offer him a treat for being a good dog, not barking at anyone or chasing any cats, not making too big of a mess, making a big mess where i wanted him to (asshole neighbors), etc. As im talking to him it becomes painfully aware that there really is no dog. Just me, my overcoat, hat & gloves, sunglasses, and an empty leash i have been dragging around the neighborhood all of these years. In fact, i don't think i have ever had a dog. Perhaps the leash has been walking me all of these days and days and years.
After a momentary lapse of sanity, i loosen the collar and let the old boy off of his leash, and throw a stick out in the yard to see if he will fetch.