Lucier's words of wisdom

I was in little South Africa last night. Evidently a little convention was being held again at Brendan's. Brendan lives with two other guys- Lucier and Henry; in a two bedroom apartment, but I've seen him pack this tiny space like it were a refugee camp. It's kind of amusing how these South Africans stick together. For some reason I am convinced that their home is South Africa's embassy to NYC. As a matter of fact I've never seen the apartment with just the three of them in it. There's always someone's friend, cousin, friend's friend twice removed or whatever lodging with them. Evidently last night was no different.

I walked into the flat as usual like it's the first time I've ever been there. This is partially true since everytime I come over there is always some new face that keeps me from developing some sense of routine with the place. Tonight there was Joe, another guy whose name I forget, Marissa, and Hy-no along with old friends from Pigalle that were also visiting. I make my rounds of introductions before navigating my way to the coffee table; being very careful not to disturb the metropolis of empty beer bottles and cans that were laid out with the fresh six packs. Finding one that was fairly chilled I took my wine key out and listened for the rush of the carbon up the bottle neck as I lifted away the crown.

Across the room Lucier smiles to me and waves me over to the window where the fire escape is.


I walk through the makeshift dancefloor/performance stage/livingroom towards him and duck under the window sill and outside. We sat there alone in the most tranquil spot in the entire building looking down at 9th avenue and the endless stream of cars that raced by at 2am. "I hear you met a woman." he says to break the silence. "I have." I say trying not to give away too much. "Henry tells me you two make a good looking couple, dancing the night away and having fun." I smiled at that thought. He continued "You know Red, when you feel this strongly about a woman... you shouldn't feel awkward around her." I thought to myself that Lucier must have had one beer too many, "Because she feels the same way... when a woman falls for your charms, you know. You deny it, but you know, because you feel it yourself." All of a sudden he sounded like he was making sense. I was hoping he was at least. "Love is like an energy, it can only be seen or felt if it is returned like cycle of electricity." I looked down at the embers in my cigarette glowing before me and I thought about what he said. I've been thinking of it still and its been two days later.