Rusty's wife, June, whose opposition to his fondness for marijuana had earned her the nickname "The Virgin Mary" among his friends. With June away for the weekend, Rusty was about to indulge in a secret ritual, settling into a world of relaxation, and good tunes, with his dog and loyal companion, Samantha, by his side...
Rusty had always been a man who knew how to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. As the weekend finally arrived, he couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom wash over him. Working for his father-in-law's furniture moving company had its perks, but it also meant he was always under the watchful eye of family. Friday afternoon had brought an unexpected gift – their last job for the day had been canceled. Rusty, his brother-in-law Jay, and their co-worker Rob decided to seize the opportunity and make the most of their unexpected free time.
They headed to their favorite local bar, a dimly lit establishment with a comforting familiarity. The trio indulged in cold beers, challenged each other to intense games of pinball, and laughed over a few rounds of pool. The cares of the week slowly melted away as they enjoyed the camaraderie and the promise of a relaxed weekend.
On their way back home, Rusty made a quick stop at the local headshop. He needed some much-needed supplies for the weekend, especially since his wife June, a staunch opponent of marijuana use, would be away until Monday. Rusty had become adept at concealing his habit from June, who had earned the nickname "The Virgin Mary" among his high school friends due to her straight-laced reputation.
Once Rusty arrived home, June was less than thrilled to find out he had been drinking. She gave him a peck on the cheek, muttered a disapproving comment, and left for a weekend getaway with her girlfriends. Now, it was just Rusty and his loyal companion, Samantha, his german shepard, or Sam for short.
With June out of the picture, Rusty felt a sense of liberation. He retrieved his hidden treasure, a three-foot bamboo bong, carefully concealed from June's prying eyes in the garage. Rusty filled the bowl with some potent Panama Red he had acquired earlier in the week. As he took a couple of hits from the bong, the sweet scent of the marijuana enveloped him, and he settled back in his old bean-bag chair.
He opened a beer and queued up some music by Vanilla Fudge. The first song to fill the room was their version of "Keep Me Hanging On," which set the perfect mood for Rusty's laid-back evening. The room was bathed in a warm, hazy glow as he drifted off into a mellow haze, the stresses of the week dissipating with each exhale of smoke.
However, Rusty had momentarily forgotten one important detail – Sam's affinity for beer. He reached for his beer, which he had placed on the floor beside him, only to find Sam happily slurping it up,her tail wagging enthusiastically . A moment of annoyance crossed Rusty's face, but it quickly dissipated into a chuckle, "Guess we're in this together, Sam," he mused, scratching her behind the ears. He had plenty of pot to share and knew it was easy enough to get a case of beer delivered or pick up a six-pack from the corner bar across the street in his tight-knit Philadelphia neighborhood.
As the night wore on, Rusty and Sam settled into a comfortable routine. Rusty continued to indulge in his favorite pastime, losing himself in the music and the gentle haze of smoke that hung in the air. Sam, content with his impromptu beer treat, curled up at Rusty's feet, his loyal eyes watching over his owner.
In the midst of his mellow high, Rusty found himself lost in thought, reflecting on his life. He pondered the complexities of his relationship with June, the constant push and pull between his desire for a carefree existence and the responsibilities that came with adulthood.
With his faithful dog by his side and a world of relaxation at his fingertips, Rusty settled in for a weekend of leisure, content in the knowledge that he could enjoy his small indulgences without judgment. As Vanilla Fudge continued to play in the background, Rusty closed his eyes, taking another hit from the bong, and let the cares of the world slip away into the soothing embrace of the smoke-filled room.
Belle Webb © 2023