Sometimes Suddenly 3

Fred is on the midnight watch. Looking like a real handsome bastard. Gaunt from that nasty bug he kicked yesterday, sipping on a red bull with his hand on the throttle. Listening to the GPS Beep and squeak like an alarm clock. Cargo Ships roar through the Çanakkale strait. Invisible metal towns, except for a lightbulb in the crow’s nest. Fred burps on the radio and requests a few degrees, revving the old diesel engine to get some space in the strait. Holding his line and twiddling his thumbs with glee. Watching phosphorescent leviathans whizz through the night.

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Another day for Greece. Holden and Pinky sit sprawled in the cockpit arguing with great big brotherly grins. Fred lays out on the deck, chewing on a mustard sandwich. Indifferent to the big fat Mediterranean sun cooking him like a pancake in the bonfire. Listening to Pinky and Holden go at it over a game of chess.

“Listen Holdy, I already told you I found nirvana. But here’s my new kick…” Drawls Pinky.

Holden cuts him off, “Pinky I can’t hear any more of your theories, you’re sick, you can’t shut up.”

“Heeheehooo, that’s so perfect man. Come on give me 20 minutes...” Pinky smirks.

“Oh fuck, go ahead Pinky.” Holden Concedes.

“So, anyways my new kick is that reality is my own creation. It is a part of me like a finger or my kidney or an idea… Sooo, that means I created you, and anytime you say something nice, that means I said something nice to myself. Anytime you say something mean or pinch me or hit me. I’m just doing it to myself. I can be a real sadist sometimes. Heeheehoohoo!” Pinky giggles with a manic glint in his eye.

“Oh lord, Fred! Your Uncle is a fucking nut. Lock your cabin door tonight...” Holden shouts in disbelief.

Fred cackles and takes another bite of his mustard sandwich. Finding a corner morsel with a stray pickle. Flipping over for a nap in the midday sun.