You can’t see in the dark, he said. Have to turn on the light, the young man lit a cigarette. A lamp, overhead light, crystal chandelier, something.

Electricity’s been shut off, pop said. Been off for a while now. I guess about a month. Wandering around in darkness. Thanking God for the sun. And then at night, the devil takes over. Blank. Can’t see a thing. Like someone’s covering my eyes, he motioned to his son to hand him a cigarette.

Gotta flashlight?

Nope. Just this Bic, he held it up with a big flame, lighting his face, then shutting it off. Now you see me. Now you don’t, dad laughed.

You can’t go on living this way. Here. Take some money, the kid took out a twenty from his wallet.

That’s not enough.

How far are you behind?

Months. They let it slide for a couple. I’d send them a ten or fifteen dollars every once in a while. Then I just couldn’t send them anything.

Why’s that?

Drank it all.

All your social security check ?

Yeah. Not much anyway.

Are you behind on the trailer payments?

I owe for the lot.  They threaten me all the time. Tell me to clean up my property. Give them money. Live like a white person. They’re quite cruel.

I had no idea, dad. Why didn’t you tell me?

You got your own problems. Wife, kids, that retarded son of yours…

He’s challenged, pop.

Well, I don’t care what he is. He ain’t right.

I gotta go, dad. Take this. I’ll give you more tomorrow, and we’ll clear these bills up.

No. I just want to sit here. In the darkness.

You can’t watch TV or anything.

Right. I miss Wheel Of Fortune.

Sure.

I’ve landed on bankrupt.

Right. No, this place needs cleaned up, dad. You need to clean up.

I haven’t seen you in months and now you come here telling me this. No calls. Nothing.

Your phone’s dead, dad.

Oh. Well, you could’ve stopped by more often. 

I’m here now. Sitting with you in the dark. 

Yeah. Here in the dark. The devil makes his deals in the dark. Always has. 

Just take the money, dad. 

Right. How do I know you’re not the devil?

I’m your son. 

My son lives across town.

Dad?

Who are you? And why is it dark? Turn on some light. You hear me? I said, turn on some light, he yelled.

I’m leaving, dad.

Turn on the TV.

I’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll bring you McDonald’s.  You like that?

I prefer Wendy’s.

Fine.

It’s dark in here.

Yes, dad. It’s dark.