Ode to Beauty
Mar. 26th, 2003 06:24 pmI work in a grimy industrial complex in San Jose, filled with guys struggling to make a buck. I enjoy what I do, and get along with everyone here, but have always looked forward to seeing the girl on Gish Road.
Five years ago, she was 18, a single mother with a 2 year old son. She was Venus in bluejeans, a beautiful young Gina Lollobrigida, and she ran one of those shiny little hotdog carts with an umbrella. She set up, about 10 AM, when it wasn't raining, on the side of the road. She always had a smile for us guys, and did a brisk business and brightened our day.
About three years ago, she poisoned me. I have always had an iron stomach, and eat street food in Tijuana, but one of her hotdogs brought me down. I was vomiting for two days. I didn't know how to tell her what had happened, and why I couldn't eat any more hotdogs. So she would watch me drive by, and I would always notice her. She was slowly gaining weight, about 5 pounds a year, but still was wonderfully attractive, and always surrounded by hungry men.
She disappeared a week ago. Her cart is now run by a woman 10 years older, and 50 pounds heavier. The hotdog business is way down, and a little joy is gone from my day.

Five years ago, she was 18, a single mother with a 2 year old son. She was Venus in bluejeans, a beautiful young Gina Lollobrigida, and she ran one of those shiny little hotdog carts with an umbrella. She set up, about 10 AM, when it wasn't raining, on the side of the road. She always had a smile for us guys, and did a brisk business and brightened our day.
About three years ago, she poisoned me. I have always had an iron stomach, and eat street food in Tijuana, but one of her hotdogs brought me down. I was vomiting for two days. I didn't know how to tell her what had happened, and why I couldn't eat any more hotdogs. So she would watch me drive by, and I would always notice her. She was slowly gaining weight, about 5 pounds a year, but still was wonderfully attractive, and always surrounded by hungry men.
She disappeared a week ago. Her cart is now run by a woman 10 years older, and 50 pounds heavier. The hotdog business is way down, and a little joy is gone from my day.