Lagniappe

By Jeffrey A. Paolano

Randy grips the beer cave cooler handle with life-or-death intensity. He hangs there from weeping, as passing customers circle away from body stench and potential vermin.

The grubby field jacket swathing his withered, diseased body carries faded emblematic reminders of the military experience to which he abandoned his life.

He pulls open the door-slide, picks up a six-pack, then heads for the exit. He has no money to pay.

At the register, a mugger brandishes a knife. Randy swings at him with the six-pack. The robber slashes at Randy with the blade. Randy cowers.

The clerk waves him out the door.