Every week, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 42-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
continued from last week
Buddy was a vibe. Buddy had issues. He wore the cop uniform he got at the thrift store more frequently, and people noticed. If they honked their horn and waved as they drove by, Buddy knew they weren’t one of the libtards trying to wreck everything. There were fewer commies in his face. And then there was Denise, the single mom with three kids under five. Of course he felt sorry for her. Never enough money. No shortage of problems. Whenever he saw her, Buddy knew he’d be listening to a sob story that ended with her asking for money, which he usually gave her. Sometimes just to get rid of her. She rubbed him the wrong way, moaning on about being afraid if the conservatives were elected, they’d cut programs that benefited her and her kids. Like the $10-a-day childcare that meant she could get a job and the new dental program. Buddy told her not to worry, that obviously those weren’t going to be cut, but Denise kept telling him she’d heard they would be.
Buddy liked how he felt splashing the cash, helping Denise out, but he was barely making enough to pay his own bills. Denise was a downer, and she wasn’t his responsibility. He planned to say something soon, but he didn’t know what yet. If he could avoid it, he’d prefer not to have a problem with her. It would be best if she thought the rift was her decision.
to be continued
“Now That You’re Here” from The Eagle And The Poodle (Matador, 1996) (download):
