Where Confidence Dwells: Everyday People

A character name in this story is the title of a Dolly Parton song.

Breath deep inhale... Exhale. As the 10in sauté pan swings up and down in a loose rowing motion. Adding a sprinkle of an herb blend of his own concoction. As Pepe returns the pan to the burner. His heart skips within himself. Deeply Pepe feels every time he cooks. Regardless of situational circumstance. It truly is a blessing from God.

Plating his Chef Bourdain eggs slightly on the bacon. Directly in front of the toast. Pepe Flicked the plate in front of his seat at the table. Taking his cup of double espresso off the platform. Pepe quickly dressed his Honey Cinnamon Cappuccino. Swaying as he ate thoroughly, enjoying every bite.

“Bourdain style eggs all day, fuhgettaboutit.”

Getting up as he finished off the cappuccino. Pepe felt the vibration of mimosa. Proclaiming as he mixed the drink.

“It’s Sunday morning, praise God no work today.”

Restlessness swarmed Pepe like a tsunami. Unconsciously he stepped out onto the fire escape. In search of something invigorating to the rest of the day. While sipping the mimosa he weaved his eyesight through the buildings. In search of the small glimpse of the John Lennon Memorial. Which was hidden obscure adjacent to the fire escape in which he stood.

“Should I go? Should I jam?”

Wandering back inside Pepe did his dishes. Then quoted Prime Time as he marched into the bathroom. Into the shower, shaving then grooming himself. Dressing himself in the outfit he’d laid out the night before.

“If you look good. You feel good & you play good.”

Emerging from the bathroom feeling refreshed. Pepe realized he made no decision. Regarding the questions that he asked on the fire escape.

“Will you jam at the John Lennon Memorial.”

Pepe’s intuition insinuated that Matches may already be playing there. Matches being a Central Park hobo. Pepe has jammed with Matches on multiple occasions. Smiling at the thought. Reminiscing on the improvisational sessions. They covered the Beatles and Lennon’s solo stuff in no particular order or set listing. The favorite tracks to play by the duo are: Instant Karma, Women Are The Nigger Of The World, Helter Skelter and Across The Universe.

In the haze of the illumination of reminiscence. Pepe gathered some cash and his acoustic. Vanishing from his apartment to the street. Upper Eastside Manhattan air of floral smog. The Beats aura still lingering within the energy. Their frequency is all but gone. Fading in time, forgotten memories. Eagerly Pepe ascended the block and a half. Stopping at the bodega on the corner. Before the Central Park entrance to the John Lennon Memorial. Pepe quickly grabbed a six pack of Moretti. Asking the clerk for 4 looseys(single cigarettes). Paying as he swiped the smokes and left. With each step Pepe’s energy elevated. Upon entering the memorial Pepe saw Matches. Looking up from his rig(guitar). Matches smiled and waved his partner over.

“Muh fucka Pep! My third eye saw you comin’ brotha man.”

Pepe dapped up his partner in melody. Handing Matches one of the six. Pepe got out his rig. Opened one himself and warmed up.

“How long you been rockin’ Matches?”

“2 tracks Elinor Rigby and Yesterday.”

“I felt you were here, man. No work tonight so I’m done when you’re finetto paisano.”

As they cheered Pepe laid out the four looseys. Pepe lit one of the smokes. As Matches made a suggestion for the set. Proposing selections from the White Album comprise the bulk of the set. Pepe agreed as he took a gulp of beer and put the smoke in the head stock.

“You think we can turn Why Don’t We Do It In The Road into Helter Skelter?”

“Ya can’t write improv baby. You gotta feel it in the vibe son.”

Just before the bar before vocals. Realizing they were vibing in the pocket.

“Paisano, my ego wants to know, can you see me? Falling into flow state, meet me there.”

Matches leaned back and bent down into the main riff. Smiling as he said he was there also. The segway from Why Don’t We Do It In The Road into Helter Skelter was flawless. The duo’s improv caught the attention of a decent crowd for a Sunday afternoon. At the John Lennon Memorial. Upon finishing their 7-minute improv version of Helter Skelter. Matches & Pepe were one consciousness. They flowed as one bodhishattva through the rest of the set. Merging Working Class Hero with Women Are The Nigger Of The World. A 9-minute version of I Am The Walrus. Followed by Dear Prudence using a Blackbird melody for a segway into a 12-minute version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The transition and finish would have gotten applause from Prince. The duo re-entered our material 3D reality. Receiving a round of applause. As they finished the set with Across The Universe.

The duo began dismantling the gear as the crowd dispersed. Pepe lit the second loosey leaning back on the bench. Finishing his first Moretti. Opening another hand one to Matches. His gear was already packed up. Matches began to split the bread. Pepe flicked his smoke and stopped him at 30.

“The saw buck & the double is all I need paisano. That’s birra ed fumo for tha next two weeks.”

“But we cleaned up. Praising creative forces the right way, baby. Rewarded us fat cat, man.”

Folding his take into his pocket. Pepe finished his beer and lit another smoke.

“Matches this is your show, man. I’m here for the vibe. The tunes, the jam, the fumo ed birra. 30 cover that paisan, no worries.”

“Taking over 50% creates bad karma I don’t want.”

“Not if I’m cool with it. We’re a couple of Dharma Bums. Observing Darshan in real time.”

“You cool cat, I fucks withcu like dat. I’m cuttin’ out, yo are you gonna holla at dat young hunny?”

“Yeah, but we were handling business. Now I’m bout to put in that work.”

“I know that’s right!”

They dapped up and Matches made his way towards E123. Sipping his third humming the refrain to Across The Universe. Pepe put the empties in the trash. Cased his rig and closed the distance to a tall slender queen named Jolene.

“Pleasant to see you outside of Lavieri’s. How’d you like the set?”

Shocked and excited Jolene shook it off speaking her thoughts.

“It was good I jus, I just didn’t know you sing and play. You sing and dance on the line. But this is kind of shocking.”

“Thanks just being flow state. I genuinely love what I do Jolene. Playin’ has been a hobby of mine for a long time. I play out here only when I feel the vibe. The fella that left his name is Matches. He’s usually here when I show up, he’s good people. Anyway, were you just out and about? Decided to go to the park and heard some tunes, huh?”

Her smirk turned into a shy smile. As she stepped back playfully shy.

“Not exactly, I enjoy walking in the park. Sometimes I make my own path.”

“Well, I’m about to get something to eat. You’re more than welcome to join me.”

“Sure, I’m kinda hungry.”

Pepe grabbed his rig and took Jolene by her left hand.

“I got an idea for a spot. So, tell me about your day.”