Intro to Novel In-Process

‘Troubles in Tanglewood’

Shit! Here it comes again! Gary felt his blood pressure rise with the rising volume of mariachi music. It was coming from a beat-up, low-slung Ford Galaxy that had just pulled into the parking lot. The car parked in front of his apartment building.

Gary’s quiet contemplation while sitting outside his apartment having a few beers was shattered. Gary thought, I hate that god-damned music! Why can’t we live here in peace and quiet! Go back to Mexico or wherever you came from!

Two young Latino men were now standing in front of the car looking under the hood. The music was still blaring from their car stereo. Gary rose from his chair and leaned over the walkway railing and shouted, “Stop that God-Damned Music!” He crumpled up his beer can and threw it down at the Galaxy. The can hit the top of the car with a “Clank!’, then clattered to the ground. Startled, both men looked up at Gary and one of them shook his fist, screaming “Chinga tu madre, bastardo!”

Gary stood at the railing and thrust out his middle finger, shouting back, “Fuck You, Asshole!”

The two men decided not to press the issue. They slammed the hood of the car, backed up, and parked further down the parking lot. They toned down the music as well.

Gary, satisfied with the confrontation, turned and went into his apartment to grab another beer.

There, he found little to improve his mood. The shag carpeting was stained, the beige walls—unpainted for years—looked dirty. The kitchen range was old and covered with spilled food. Dishes were piled in the sink. From the living room, he could hear the toilet running as it always did. God, I wish I could find a nicer place that I could afford. I’m tired of living in this dump. I need to look for someplace else. Gary had these thoughts most days, but he hadn’t yet found the time to look for another place to live.

He went to the refrigerator and grabbed another beer. He decided he needed to skip his chili dinner; Better save the chili for another day. I need to scrimp on groceries until I get my rent paid. He went into the living room and sat down on his worn, orange sofa to watch television. Cops, Law and Order, and NYPD Blue were his favorites. Three hours later and after three more beers, he got up, took a piss and went into the bedroom. He fell in bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.