Humility
The day started quietly, but thanks to being in the wrong place at the wrong time it was a day which was going to change his life. He'd been unable to sleep, and getting up around 8.30am, which was relatively early for him, went for a walk. Within a few minutes of leaving his place he found himself at the local street market, where the stall holders were busy setting up for the day ahead.
He walked, or rather sauntered, for he was in no hurry, with nothing to do and all day to do it. He spoke to a few of the stall holders, people he knew, passing the time of day, having a little laugh or joke with each one until he came to a stall run by an old school friend.
'How are you Johnny?' he asked, as his friend unpacked a box of CD's and DVD's.
'Just fine mate,' his friend replied with a smile. 'How about you, we don't usually see you down here at this time?'
'Just couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd better come down and see how the other half lives.'
'Couldn't sleep? Is your conscience bothering you mate?' Johnny teased.
'Nah! You know I don't have a conscience - I'm completely heartless. You should know that' he returned.
'There's a lot of heartless bastards around here mate, but you ain't one of them, that's for sure. I know you too well, so don't bother putting on your tough guy face for me.' They exchanged a few more pleasantries as he helped Johnny unpack some more boxes, and then strolled over to the coffee shop, getting a coffee for Johnny and one for himself. They had just started to drink the coffee when he noticed a beautiful woman walking along the pavement towards them.
Within seconds he had taken in all he needed to know about her looks. She was tall, maybe 5'7" or even taller. Her high heels enhanced her natural height and made her long, shapely legs look stunning. She had dark hair, long, with a slight natural looking wave, past shoulder length, and a slim but curvy figure. Even given all her other attractions it was the face that stopped him in mid-sentence and prevented him from speaking to Johnny. The words, 'face of an angel,' came unbidden to his mind. He knew he was staring, but couldn't help himself.
'Who the fuck is this mate?' he said to Johnny as she drew closer.
'Oh, Gayle, she owns the hair salon. Stunner, ain't she mate? I give her the eye every day, but she's well out of my league. She always looks at me as if I'm something nasty she stood on,' he explained ruefully.
'You are something nasty, you lecherous little shit. The woman has good taste,' he said to Johnny. They both laughed, just as she was passing them. She turned with fury in her eyes, and he had enough time to see that even angry she looked breath-taking. She launched herself at Johnny, pulling his hair, and spilling his coffee. Off balance, he fell, and she kicked him, lashing out, as he tried to get back up. He pulled her away from Johnny, lifting her off the ground, putting her down on the pavement, kicking and scratching a few yards away.
'Calm down love, we weren't laughing at you,' he tried to explain. She wriggled free and turning slapped his face and spat on him, before turning and walking away. 'Bitch,' he called after her, and she turned and gave him the fingers. He watched as she opened the hair-salon door, slamming it behind her.
'What the fuck was that all about?' Johnny asked, bemused by the unexpected turn of events.
'God knows mate, but she needs somebody to teach her some manners,' he replied as he dabbed at the spittle on his shirt with a tissue. The more he thought about it the more enraged he became. 'I think I'll go have a word with the bitch. Don't wait up Johnny, I may be some time,' he said, walking away. Johnny watched him walk away, and shook his head before getting back to tending his business.
He opened the door softly and slipped through it, locking it behind him with the Yale lock. He pulled down the blind on the door, and chose a seat. The main shop was empty; she must be through the back getting herself and the shop ready for opening, he guessed, waiting calmly now for her to appear. He didn't have long to wait; the door leading to the back shop opened and she walked in carrying a stack of fluffy white towels. She stopped dead when she saw him; her eyes opening wide, a trace of fear flickered across her face.
'We're not open. Get the fuck out of here,' she spat out. He just looked at her, saying nothing as she placed the towels on the counter. 'Are you deaf? Get out - now,' she almost screamed at him.
'Oh shut up, and stop being such a silly cunt,' he said menacingly, his voice barely above a whisper. Her mouth opened, as if to speak, and he launched himself from the chair, moving quickly, right in her face, 'Shut up - sit down.' Something in his voice and manner demanded compliance and she sat down, looking at him, anger all too apparent in her eyes. He sat back down again, calm as before. 'You shouldn't have done that, you were way out of line,' he pointed back over his shoulder in the direction of the market place.
'Fuck off, I'm not having lame-brains like you and your little mate, taking the piss with me,' she protested.
'Well, you're a beautiful woman, something special right enough, but it may interest you to know that the fucking world doesn't revolve around you. We were admiring you, note those words, admiring you, but what we were laughing about was nothing to do with you, so your attack was way out of line. An apology would be good for a start,' he added.
'You'll be rotting in hell before I apologise to you. Now leave, get out of my shop,' she demanded as she regained her confidence. He ignored her.
'And spitting on me,' he carried on. 'that was a bad mistake. I could hardly believe a lovely girl like you doing something like that. It's a filthy habit. Do you know the human mouth is swarming with all kinds of bacteria - not nice, not nice at all? You should be ashamed of yourself.'