Dykstra

Dykstra

I am sixteen and counting money.

I’m trying to find enough cash to buy a pizza. I’m in my dorm room at Dykstra Hall and it’s probably my first or second week there. At the time, a pizza could be purchased for less than a shake at Jack Rabbit Slims and I was getting close by checking for change in various places. I drop a quarter but grab it up before it stops spinning, friendo, but put it in with the others so, it’s not special anymore.

I hear a knock at the door and two halflings walk in. One is beautiful and another is a 75% scale replica of He-Man. They’d like something from me: change for bills. They’re interested in getting food from the poisoned food dispenser in the halls.

I’m trying to collect coins for them from what I’d been collecting. I had about eighty-five cents which is awkward as it’s not exactly a dollar and they had nothing more.

He-Man extends the bill and I hand over the coins. I say something mildly amusing. Something at the small talk level like “do you want to get JALAPENO my business.” Subtle and classy just like me or more like I just give over the coins and let them keep the bill.

The girl laughs and her smile is jagged. Some teeth are short and narrow compared to the others. It’s the most beautiful smile and she’s not hiding anything. I’m awed and look at them. He-Man is nice, but is He-Man. The two of them are together alone. They don’t look like a couple, but if He-Man is her special friend, I’d rather not upset him.

They leave with my change, including that quarter. I don’t have five dollars, and my pizza dream is replaced with something else.