I sat in my apartment wondering what the dumbest face I’ve ever made was. My phone rings.
“What’s up Hank?”
“AH!”
“Hank?”
“I need you, help!”
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“On my way.”
He doesn’t live far. Five minute drive. He opens his door in a sweaty panic.
“They took my car,” he says.
“Who?”
“The insurance people.”
“Why did they take your car?”
“I didn’t pay them.”
I sigh. “Alright. Well, first let’s get to the lot. The longer it’s there the more you’ll pay.”
Hank puts a jacket on over his bare chest and closes his door behind us. We drive.
“You know, like, when you’re in school and bullies come to you and tell you to give them your lunch money?”
I turn down the music.
“Yeah.”
“Well,” Hank fidgets with the window controls. “It’s like that. Except that the bullies are far away and they are just sending letters.”
I light a cigarette and crack the window.
“So you didn’t pay them? That’s not how bills work Hank.”
Hank sighs. “I know. I’m useless. You know, I grew up too privileged.”
We sit at a red light.
“When I was younger my Dad was a doctor. But, then he cheated on my mom and so my mom died. Then he lost his practice, started getting stoned all the time and moved in with a Rastafarian man named Bo. So, then, I had nothing, and no clue what to do.”
He rolls the window all the way and sticks an arm out into the cool air.
“It’s alright Hank, we’ll figure it out.”
He nods. We get to the tow company. I look up some car insurance agencies and get them on the phone. Hank scrambles around in his brain for the information they need. Eventually, he is insured.
Before going in, I stop him.
“Hank, you have to pay now.”
“I know.”
“Every month.”
“I know.”
“They’ll take it again.”
He nods.
“Alright man, I’m gonna go,” I tell him.
“Thanks, I wouldn’t have been able to figure that out alone.”
He turns and starts walking.
“And Hank!” I call after him.
He turns, “yeah?”
“Remember, it’s just how life works, they aren’t bullies.”
He frowns. “Yes, they are.”
I pause a moment.
“Well, yes, they are. But they are bullies you have to pay.”
Hank shrugs.
“Some things never change,” he says before walking into the office.
*For more conversations with Hank, click here.
Flash-365 
It’s just how life works…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t mind bills.
However, I hate taxes. The government are bullies!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah, that is the best part about living and working abroad. I don’t even think I have a key to my mailbox here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oje, poor Hank. I hope they left him the car and he got through well? Everyone hates taxes. In the case of bills, the opinions seem to be inadequate. For some, it is the plague for the others a love letter, because they have received something beautiful for it.
Hank had never expected a reaction,or? He did not even think about what could happen! Everything a big mistake, that´s really hard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, he made it through alright. I’ve known him a long time after and he was sure to pay his bills on time after this incident.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still poor Hank. He appears to me as a child, very sympathetic, but overstrained with certain things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah in many ways he is like a child, as he points out in this story. I think he tries not to be and doesn’t try to be but simply doesn’t know or understand certain things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah, very symathetik and zen! AND he oes not need unterstand everything. Of course there ist stll time, but there Scguld be alsu an Chm
LikeLiked by 1 person
that last sentence got a little wonky, I couldn’t understand.
LikeLike
ouups, sorry flash, my laptop is so old, and the cursor is always jumping…somtimes I do not realize….and this….ugh….I think it was not so important…I can not remember, what it should be….
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha that’s alright. I’ll try to decipher it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ohhh … I wasted your time because there is nothing to decrypt …. sorry!
LikeLike
Yes, I think he would fit very well with me … one of my favorite characters, although I could not put him in any of my drawer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah, he is a unique guy. I’ll try to think of some more stories with him for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ohh, this is so kind, but only if it fits…..: )thanks flash!
LikeLiked by 1 person