Nature Boy....a New York love story By Jude Kyrie He had that dream again He awoke with a start perspiration Pouring down his face. The car, the children, his wife. The truck sliding on ice on the icy freeway. Then the silence as they drifted away. And he was left alone. He moved out of the small inner city cottage Is was two years ago he just left it the way it was. The kids toys strewn on the floor Bread and cookies on the table. He would never return there never. Not even to get his beloved alto sax. His only key to making a living. He followed the cop that pulled him from the wreck. He did not know why she was pretty But that was not it. He was once told that if you save Someone's life they belong to you. Well she could have his He did not want it anymore. She entered the bank He saw the robbery before she did. The robber lifted his weapon before She had time to move but he jumped in and took a bullet for her. It was in my arm straight in and out. She put three in the perp before he could fire another shot. I fell down she held me in her arms. As I was bleeding out. Why did you do that she said I would have been killed. That's why I whispered. She visited me in hospital Brought me grapes I hate fucking grapes. She had no idea who I was When the car wreck happened I was covered in blood and EMS Ran me to the hospital. Names don't stay with people Only faces. When I got out She appeared at my rented room door With a coffee and doughnuts I don't talk much since..well just since. Who the fuck are you she asked A God damned Angel. I said I don't think God ever dams angels. She seemed to like me. Fuck knows why I wasn't nice to her. She started looking for me on her shift. Grabbing coffee, and suggesting dates. I told her no offense don't arrest me. But I don't date anymore. But she was a new York cop and also a woman, fucking relentless. She said she would make life hell for me If I didn't take her for a date. Fucking women. I gave in and said I would join her at the blues club nearby. We got there at 10 pm after her shift She looked fucking hot. The blues were playing I heard the alto sax wailing It wept like my soul was feeling. She saw tears in my eyes And held me to her soft breast. Tell me what it is Is it me she asked? I was just silent. The owner of the club saw me. He said Tony, where the fuck you been. It's been two years since you came her We miss your sax wailing boy. He said where's your sax? Don't you have it anymore? I shook my head it was a lie But I had my reasons. He grabbed the alto sax from the band playing. Make it weep Tony. My heart needs to hear you play man. He moved quietly to the stage. And the room went silent Just as if the Angel Gabriel was going to wail his horn. They remembered me they stood up and clapped for five minutes. Blues people don't change. They just get fucking older. I said nothing But played nature boy Peggy got up and took the mike She cried the words as I played Tears falling down her sad black face. There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far, very far Over land and sea A little shy and sad of eye But very wise was he My cop was crying too She said I don't cry ever see. I am a cop I see shit. Who the fuck are you she said? But I let the sax wail for my words. It poured my sadness into the night. She got my full name from Peggy. She says that boy needs a woman. But then a woman is Peggy's answer to all problems. She ran the info though the computers at the precinct those fucking things Know every leak you ever take. She saw the car wreck the body bags Me covered in blood. She found my mother in law's place. And went there. She said he's heart sick He won't go home. Won't let anyone in. He blames himself. He's never cried once It's eating him inside. She said I can't find him anywhere. He's over at the cemetery. She missed her scheduled shift change over And went to the Park Lawn He was kneeling by a family grave talking to his kids. She went to him and slipped Her arm around him He turned his head Into her breast and wept and wept. He sobbed like his sax wailed. She kissed his hair Let it out honey Let it all go. She drove them to his house The mess on the floor. The stale food stank. It was a mess The children's toys were spread everywhere His beloved sax on the hall table. She said I saved your life right? He sad yes you did. And you saved mine right He sad yes I did. She said Unless we both say were even You know what it means He nodded Yeah We belong to each other now. You got it Magraw she quipped. Two years later Tony came back from his gig at the blues club. He had a recording contract in his pocket. The money would come in handy What with their second child coming in a few months. Kids were pricey little buggers