Just An Idea

Jean tapped his finger on the cover of a book.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It was monotonous, like a day-job.

Jean wasn't in school because he just graduated high school. He also wasn't working because he just graduated high school.

He, furthermore, wasn't working because he was waiting for his invested gambling winnings to maximize their profits before trading it off to some inexperienced schmuck.

Jean's brother may have worked at a Wall-Blues, J. C. Nickels, and an Old Native's before and shortly after graduating, but they were fundamentally different.

Jean didn't particularly want to go to college nor climb the corporate ladder as a cars salesman and management for Affordable Motors.

Jean didn't want to smile and peddle off goods like a mindless drone.

Jean also didn't want to continue counting cards when he gambled, even if it helped him win money. There was a limit before their management caught on to his schemes.

So, Jean continued tapping on the book.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The front door was also being tapped.

Jean got up, still dressed in some black slacks and a blue dress shirt. He opened the door, careful not to disturb the shoes nearby.

"Hi, Grandma!" Jean said, warmly.

"Hey, Jean! How have you been?" the old white lady said in a slightly cracked voice. She slowly moved from the cracked and dirtied concrete steps and into the house.

'Good! How's Grandpa's throat cancer? I know his back's been getting worse." Jean led her to sit on the couch, ignoring the mess she trailed in the house with her shoes.

"The Lord is doing his work because he's recovering."

"That's good. Do you want anything?"

"Just water and some company will do!" she laughed warmly.

Jean got some water from the kitchen.

"Age is catching up to us. We're going to be at the Pearly Gates by the time you get married!" she laughed again.

"Make sure to meet with our kids and grandkids! I know some of them are unruly and impolite but they really have good hearts! They're Christians, through and through!"

Jean handed her the glass of water.

"Thank you."

"I know we should keep faithful, Grandma. I always go to Church and hear a sermon for the Lord's wisdom. They helped feed and clothe my family, after all! But poor Marie and Algernon! I know Algernon's… losing his marbles and can't walk like he used to. Mary's trying her best for her brother, but she's growing weaker every day. I help them take out the trash and rake their lawn but I still don't know why their family isn't there for them!"

"Didn't you notice yesterday?"

"I was out doing business yesterday. What happened?"

"Algernon's heart stopped. He was pronounced dead today and Marie went into shock."

Jean bent to the side, looking away from the old woman next to him.

"It's okay, Jean. Our neighbors were called on by the Lord. Their time came, so treasure the moments they left behind and pray for their family. They may be deaf to the Lord's words but they aren't hopeless." The old woman rubbed his shoulder, her arms much thinner than his.

Jean was silent.

"You've always been such a good boy, Jean. Never causing trouble like your brother or his friends."

Jean stayed quiet.

"You haven't got a stable job. You're probably bored out of your mind if you're reading books like these," the old woman laughed. She pointed at the thick book on the table that had "H. P. Lovecraft" in big, bold letters.

"Maybe you can help that family down the street? They were in dark times, like your family. Maybe you can convince them to let God into their life and become good Catholic Christians like us!" she laughed with mirth again.

"The father has a drinking problem, the mother has a spending problem, and the kids have anger issues," Jean said softly.

"All the more reason why you can help them best." The old woman smiled and got up.

"I think it's time for me to go home. Think about it, Jean!" she said.

Jean led her to the front door and waved her off. He closed the door and prepared to mop up the mess she left behind.

Pray for Marie and Algernon's family? Jean sneered. Absurd! They already cut off ties! They were bound to find some way to take their belongings and sell off their property to make a quick buck. This was America, after all, where your own interests came first before others. Jean kept a facade but those actions didn't mean he was sincere!

"Adopt them into my life like Grandma and Grandpa did with me? Hmmm…" Jean said, out loud.

"I guess I can use them to fulfill my own desires." Jean grinned.

A plan was taking place in Jean's mind.

A plan where he acted on his own interests, forever separating himself from the shackles of societal values and norms.