by David Louden
‘Oh it’s happening.’ he replied.
‘It is happening Doug.’ added the voice inside.
With my head in my hands I fired a glance towards myself and asked ‘Why are you here then?’
‘Sorry?’
‘How can you not hear that? You asked the same question once! Why are you here?!’ I screamed.
‘I don’t know. I was crossing the street and saw you. You dropped your wine, stumbled into the apartment like a retard and I remembered a day when I was young and stupid and was confronted by my future self… so I figured I’d drop in and say hello.’
‘Well you’ve done that, what else are you meant to say?’
‘I suppose I could always tell you what I told me, and what you’ll probably one day tell you.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘Make more of yourself kid.’
‘That’s it?’
‘That’s it. Like I said, I thought I’d drop in…’
‘I thought they’d be some big… Doug you’re a dick and you’re destroying your life and everyone thinks you’re a prick and they’re right but it’s not too late… and blah, blah, blah.’
‘Nope,’ he said with a toss of the shoulders ‘just make more of yourself, oh and cut down on the spicy food unless you want a pet ulcer. Do you think you’re destroying your life?’
‘I don’t know.’ I admitted.
‘Ok, well I had better go. I’ve got dinner reservations with the wife and if I’m not there… actually, I not too sure she’s there yet…’
‘Are you sure she’s born?’
He laughed ‘I’m pretty funny, right?! Ok, I’m out of here… was good seeing the old place again.’
He left, closing the door behind him but he missed the gate. I watched from the window as he walked towards Beach Avenue before turning the corner and disappearing. That night my dinner date cancelled on me and I ate in front of the television with the pug curled up beside me. I played with the baby teeth in the middle of my smooth palm and set my mind on not confronting myself in three decades time unless I had something more profound to offer than make more of yourself kid.
