-He hadn't a clue as to why he had gone organic recently. It was more expensive, and from what he had heard, really not that much better for you. But Back-To-Nature Crispy Cheddars tasted the same as Cheeze-itz, and there was no MSG.

Why did it all matter?

Oliver Ross was a creature of habit, and for most of his adult life, he had held down four steady jobs at a time (teaching, some sort of coaching or tutoring position, followed by bartending or being a barista, followed by playing a few gigs, before going home, doing lesson plans, grading, and passing out). Now, with a sudden influx of material wealth (it was amazing to be able to pay rent in a city AND afford decent groceries) and a single job that paid every single bill, he didn't know what to do with himself. A few weeks on the billboard charts could change your life, and yet Oliver felt the exact same. Only less hungry. And less tired. But more lonely. Always so fucking lonely despite the people always around him.

Connections were the only reason life was worth living, and standing there (like a normal person! No autograph seekers! Not here, not in New York City. There were bigger fish to fry than a one-hit wonder that "might" have a decent new CD coming out "some time") in the dank Post Office, Oliver felt nothing but loose ends. Four envelopes were clutched in his hand, standard but with far too many stamps. International, and all that. All to the same address. Four different names, though. A niece, two nephews and their parents. Letters from Uncle Oliver about the beauty of America. Just what everyone wanted to hear. The line moved up, but the musican was already lost in his own thoughts.

America the beautiful? Hardly. There were times he couldn't doubt it, when he saw selfless acts of charity. But most of the time? Most of the time there was a pick-pocket to look out for, and a cold hard bitch in a pretty package waiting to take you for all you were worth.-

<font color="#000000"><font size="1">[ July 15, 2006 11:34 PM: Message edited by: [Oliver] LOST // not G O N E [Ross] ]</font></font>

<font color="#000000" size="1">[ July 15, 2006 11:36 PM: Message edited by: [Oliver] LOST // not G O N E [Ross] ]</font>