…but they call me Sonny

From high atop the pier, huge waves rush in to wash the shore. Swell after swell cascade just to smash against the rocks and burst into tiny crystal sprays; mist fills the air as it makes its way back to the sea. Silence breaks as the surge slams the pylons that block its way. Tethered boats line the dock and protest their slumber by rising up and slapping back. Far off where the water meets the sky gray clouds lift; and then as if on cue part, ready to make way for a new day. The sounds of sea gulls fill the air; shrills of victory ring out as the birds compete for their prey. …and with a deep breath, the smell of fish and the rotting wood of the wharf fill his lungs one last time.
Up long since the crack of dawn, Sonny tugs the collar of his coat and watches the sun try to peek out this cool cloudy morning. He can’t remember if it’s been weeks, or months, but the one thing he knows; this ain’t the way to live. I just exist. Sold my soul; just followed her like a lost pup. Staring out as the streets roll by, he recalls the last thing she said before he fell asleep. “Oh, you’ll be back,” the haunt of her smug tone calls out; “Just wait and see.” I don’t think so, he affirms; I don’t go back. Shaking his head, he leaves it all back there and leans on the glass. With a good view, he takes in the shops as the trolley heads what he hopes is the right direction.
Not wanting to miss his stop, he looks for a corner to find a street sign; that’s when he finds them. He draws in and catches a glimpse of the homeless as they stand in line and beg for their meal. Passing by the down and out, contempt sets in. Now he too feels the connection. Yep, he admits; I joined the ranks; might as well have stood in the same line with the rest of them. Then has to wonder how many of the men in line share his scorn as he watches them receive their free handouts. The more he sees, the more his conviction deepens. I’m out of here.
Finding out where he is, lets him know it will take some time to get to his stop. With that in mind, he leans back and recalls the night Athena came to his rescue. With the lateness of the hour and nowhere to go, he is grateful she found him. Then things changed; she not only found me; she kept me like I was a stray. …and treated me like one too. But as much as he wants to push the blame on her, a few things he has to admit. He admits that he and he alone was the one to throw caution to the wind; that he must accept his part of the blame. He may have thought he became a man that night, but has long since struggled with that idea. His senses told him there was more to being a man than what she taught him. Where did my values go? My freedom? What about my goal; my mission to find my dad. How’d I lose all that? One at a time, he let them take their turn to remind him of exactly what it was he set out to do.
It took some time to deal with his thoughts. But once he figured it out, decided that it was he; he is the one that let him down. And once his brain kicked in, got what he calls his head screwed on straight. Then his first thought was to find a job and leave. No job found in the confines Athena kept him; he snuck off a few times to see what he could find. But since Los Angeles is feeling the drought along with the depression, he found the people that hire you are in the soup lines too. At times, he managed to pick up a few bucks at cards, but when they found out how young he was, they ran him off. Once he had a chance to pick up some serious money, but Athena found him and caused such a scene they threw them both out. His resolve renewed when he read the paper last night. The article had a picture of an engineer and his train. The cars on the train were loaded with fruit; and then said the train will head back to northern California today. It said they are hiring fruit pickers; that a man that wants to work should show up. His plan is to be there early; to be the first in line. So he needs to head east; he needs to get to the railroad yards.
A life no better than Susie with Rex, it was still dark when he got up to leave. A quick farewell to the ocean; it didn’t take long and he was out of there. One thing troubles him as he rides his second trolley of the day. He regrets he had to leave his suitcase. Under the bed and out of the way, he was afraid it might wake her; and not for the want of one more duel, decided she could keep it. Might buy me some time, he scoffs. When she does find it; bet she thinks I’ll be back. He left with the clothes on his back; then stuffed what he could in Katie’s bag. His mood heightens when he thinks; guess it’s all right; still have Dave’s letter and Johnny’s cards.