550 Words A Day Challenge (IV) Lionel and Gerry

(I've decided as a writing exercise to write 550 words everyday for two weeks and see what I come up with. The subject matter and narrative will not be limited to anything, and I will only be allowed to edit what I write once)


Part IV --- Lionel and Gerry


       It was a face Gerry knew better than perhaps anybody: the black hair was longer and wilder, the cheeks thinner and creased with age, the once determined lips now cracked from exposure to cold weather, but the crooked nose and the wide green eyes and cauliflower ears were still as they had always been. This was Lionel McCarthy, an old acquaintance to Gerry and a man driven by image and success.
      They made eye contact and for a brief moment Lionel did not recognize him. Five uncomfortable seconds of staring passed until at last the unfamiliarity evaporated.

      'Gerry Sanchez! You scoundrel you! How long has it been!'
      'Six years come November.'
      'At Bob Parin's cottage, right?'
      'Something like that.' replied Gerry.

      Lionel did not dress as immaculately as he had in the past. Neither was his grooming as careful, for his skin seemed rough from spotty shaving and a lack of soap. His shoes were caked with dirt and the seams along the sides were bursting towards the ground. Gone were the suit and ties he was notorious for wearing at any occasion, replaced by a brown overcoat and stained blue jeans that had not seen his better days.

      'What are you up to these days, old boy? Still pushing pencils and typing buttons for ILC?' asked Lionel.
      'Yeah, same old ILC. Became an assistant director of office resources a few years back. Boring work but I've ever minded it.'
     'Sounds like the Steady Gerry we've always known!' said Lionel, without the faintest admiration.

     A smell of damp unwashed socks slowly drifted into Gerry's nostrils and he attempted not to retch. It was the most foul scent he had ever encountered, and that included his three month stint volunteering at the homeless shelter near the sewage plant. Lionel continued to grin, unaware or indifferent of the disturbing odour.

     'How... are you doing, Lionel? Everything all right with you these days?'
     'What a foolish question, old boy! Everything is better than ever! I quit those bastards at Richards and Parker to become a private consultant! Oh, things are better than ever, better than ever.'

      Gerry and Lionel shook hands and said their goodbyes as if they had seen each other yesterday. As he began to walk away, Gerry turned back and called his old acquaintance back.

     'Are you sure you don't need anything? Maybe I can talk to some folks at ILC and...'
     'You're being silly and ridiculous, old boy. I don't need anybody's help, never ever will. Worry about yourself and that one-lane-street job of your's.'
     'All right, Lionel.' said Gerry quietly.
     'Exactly, old boy! Now don't keep me any longer, I have so many more appointments this evening! We surely must catch up some more soon. Perhaps at Bob Parin's cottage in a few weeks? See you then!'

     Gerry waved good bye to his friend and continued on his way. As he went, he could not shake an uncomfortable thought from his mind: Bob Parin had moved to Spain four years before.