Alone At The Top

Kim Barrett made his first visit to the apartment above the store, he really had no intention of living in this god forsaken burg but as he walked through the apartment he could see the possibilities for a really nice little flat. He thought he might have the contractors and decorators in when they finished with the store and see what they could do with it. It might, he thought, come in handy sometime.

Opening the curtains in the living area he looked out on the main street…not a bad view actually. Opening the beer he’d brought with him he flopped down on the sofa raising dust around him.

"If I was in Sydney tonight it would be Mary…or maybe Veronica…but here I am in The Glen with nobody," he said aloud and took a swig of his beer.

Being alone was a new experience for Kim used to a gang friends and women…he wondered if there were any women here at all, he’d only seen one and she’d let him know right away she wasn’t interested. He’d been so busy with cleaning out the store he hadn’t had time to get out and walk the street to see what was here. He’d worked hard today…another new experience…and he was tired. He finished his beer and lay his head back on the sofa…it was too quiet…it was too…his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

The dream came almost instantly…it was Christmas and the store…a real Barrett’s of Australia was full of shoppers…he could hear the cash register’s jingling…he was in his newly renovated office with the big one way glass window…he placed his hand on the window and a panic set in…he hadn’t bought any presents…he should be out there shopping with the others…but he couldn’t get out of his office…he couldn’t get through the window.

He woke bathed in sweat…he’d fallen over on the dusty sofa…and righted himself. Getting up he went to the bathroom and splashed water on his face…there was no towel…why was there no towel…then he remembered where he was. He glanced at his watch it was three in the morning too late to go to Coffs and the hotel room he had booked. Back out in the hallway he glanced toward the bed…no linens. Sighing he went down the back steps into the store and dug around until he found sheets a blanket and a couple of towels…he would just camp out for the night.