Spin Cycle

          “You sure you want to go through with this?”

	  “I need to do this, it’s where he belongs.”

	A Ford caked with mud all over parked in front of a dark and wet trail. From out the driver’s side, a man about 5 feet and 10 inches stepped out wearing an overcoat and a fedora that made him look like he was from The Godfather. As rain pelted his face, he looked back to see another man come out of the passenger side holding a bag of Doritos.

	“You haven’t been around much Ronnie,” The burly second man said. “You know, this is the first time I’ve actually seen or talked to you since the funeral.”

	“I know Crunchy, I’m sorry; I just need time alone to think about doing this.”

	“It’s understandable, it’s not easy to let go, especially after what happened to him.”

	“Yeah but I’ve realized that this is the only way him and I would be able to rest easy.”
	“Alright then let’s get moving,” said Crunchy, “We need to see how much farther we are from the river.”

	The two men made their way from the truck through the muddy path. The light from the full moon bounced off the water from the back of Ronnie’s soaked coat making it appear as if he had a holy aura around him. Ronnie counted each water logged step after another from the car to the edge of the river.

	“Not bad, about 300 yards,” He exclaimed.

	Crunchy, who was struggling to catch his breath after walking through the shoe stealing mud asked, “Why couldn’t we just drive the truck here?”

	Ronnie’s face scrunched up in annoyance as he turned to face Crunchy. He stretched out his arms and yelled, “Look around us Crunchy! The trees make the path too narrow for the truck.”

	“Oh,” replied Crunchy as he scratched his head still trying to grasp what Ronnie said, “Well let’s head back and grab what we need.”

	On the way back to the truck Crunchy, who started eating the bag of Doritos he brought with him, overheard Ronnie muttering to himself.

	“He shouldn’t have gotten in the way,” Ronnie was saying, “he warned him not to come. Why couldn’t he just listen to him?” At this point Ronnie was loudly whimpering as he tried to fight back tears. “He would have been safe if that idiot just stayed down. Why did he have to run at him?” Loudly he yelled, “Why!?”

	“Because he wanted to be a hero that’s why,” softly replied Crunchy who couldn’t help but to respond.

	“Oh and what a great hero he was!” Ronnie screamed out sarcastically. “Move over Superman we have the great Civilian Man to save the day! He’ll stop a crook by pulling out his cell phone and calling the cops!”

	“It’s alright man just relax, this isn’t about him; this about you and Bobby.”

	“Yeah you’re right,” Ronnie replied in between deep breaths he was taking to ease up. “Ok we’re here can you pull out the casket?”

	 Crunchy dragged out a large wooden casket a little over 5 and a half feet long from back of Ronnie’s car. The box was lined with gold trim along the edges and had two handles made of marble to open it up. The inside was lined with satin so smooth and light that it felt like there was no weight in it whatsoever. The top of the casket had sheen so fine that the reflection of the moon on it lit up the tear and rain soaked face of Ronnie.

	Crunchy’s eyebrows rose up in surprise, “I can’t believe that your dad gave you one of these.”

	“Yeah, well he was stubborn about at first but I convinced him that I need to do this and finally gave me one.”

	“It also helps when your dad is in charge of a funeral home.” Crunchy joked.

	Ronnie scoffed and asked, “You got the shirt right?”
            From the back seat Crunchy pulled out a clean, but tattered white shirt with a gaping hole.

	“Yeah, what was left of it after I got it out of the dryer that is.”
	“It still looks like it’s holding up pretty well,” Ronnie exclaimed, “now help bring this thing over to the water.”
	Together, Ronnie and Crunchy lifted the delicate tomb and started walking towards the edge of the river.

						* * *
	“Bobby! Wake up! Today’s the day!” A loud voice echoed from a hallway to a bedroom.

	“What?” A drowsy voice mumbled out after being awoken from a deep sleep.

	“Whatdaya mean, ‘What?’ today is the day you get to go to work with me. Aren’t you excited to go to work with your old man?”

	“I guess…” replied the exhausted voice.

	“Well, ‘I guess’ it’s time you get your tired behind dressed and down to breakfast. I made you some cereal and fruit.” Ronnie left his son’s room and went back to his own to get ready as well.

	Today was, Father/Son Day at Ronnie’s job: “Phil’s Wash and Run,” the only Laundromat in town. The recession had hit the community of Westwood hard and not many people had the time or money to go to a Laundromat when many, if not all the residents had a washing machine already at home. Ronnie, quickly took a shower, brushed his teeth, and got dressed. He jogged down the stairs to see Bobby who was already done with his cereal and fruit.

	“Wow, that was quick!” Ronnie exclaimed.

	“I was pretty hungry dad. Just ‘cause I’m tired doesn’t mean my stomach is.”
	Ronnie laughed at his son’s statement, “That’s good to hear I guess, well are you ready to go?”

	Bobby moaned, “Do I have to go? There’s nothing to do there.”

	“You used to love going with me to work, you would always just sit and watch the clothes swirl around in the washer.”

	“Yeah! When I was like five, I’m fourteen now! I’m interested in cars and sports and girls, not stupid laundry.”

	Ronnie was a little disappointed at Bobby but he kept his composure, “Ugh, just bear with me today, I already told Crunchy you were gonna come.”

	"Fine. Whatever.”

	The two hopped in the red Ford truck and headed off to work. As they drove the twenty-minute commute past farmlands and fishing holes, Ronnie couldn’t help but to notice his son texting away on his phone. His fingers were moving left and right so fast he thought they were going to fall off. Each digit hit the right letter and number forming a foreign language with words like: LOL, L8R, and ROTFLMFAO. Ronnie wasn’t the type of person to care for common technology, but seeing his son so into his phone made him wonder how things were changing so fast.

	“So who you talking to?” Ronnie asked.

	“It’s not, ‘talking,’ it’s texting and I’m texting Ronnie.” Bobby replied with his eyes fixed on his phone.

	“What?” Ronnie said in disbelief. He knew all of Bobby’s friends and not one of them was named Ronnie except himself.

	“Can you say that again?”

	“Ronnie, Ronnie, RONNIE!!!!”

						* * *
	“RONNIE!!!” The smell of Doritos from Crunchy’s breath brought Ronnie back to his senses. “You were staring off into nothing for like five minutes; I was screaming at you to make you snap out of it. Here, let’s take a seat right now.”

	Crunchy and Ronnie left the casket on the ground about 10 yards away from the water’s edge and took a seat on a flat boulder nearby.

	“Oh, yea, I couldn’t help it.” Ronnie was weakly rubbing the nape of his neck. “Everything happened so fast, One second he was with me and the next he… he…”

						* * *
	“Alright, we’re here.” Ronnie said as he parked the car. Bobby dragged himself out to see the building. The smell of detergent and bleach instantly made Bobby feel as sick as someone who just ate 100 Peeps. With Bobby right behind him, Ronnie walked through the front door past the smiling caricature of the owner Phil Stevenson driving a washing machine filled with suds. The floor was covered with a nauseating brown and yellow tile pattern that made both him and Bobby want to puke and there were three rows that were filled with dryer/washer combos that all charged $2.50.

	“Dad, how do these work?” Bobby was staring at one of the washing machines opening and closing its door thinking it would somehow start.

	“You should already know, but I’ll explain it to you again.”

	“It’s simple son, you just put your clothes in, and choose the setting depending on the type of clothes you have: Delicate for delicate clothes like: linen, satin, and other light fabrics; if you have colored fabrics use the Permanent-Press so that the water temperature is moderate and the colors don’t fade; and for your whites, use the Regular/Normal setting so that the hot water scalds the stains out of them.”

	Bobby rolled his eyes and said, “Wow dad, that’s so interesting”

	Ronnie, who was too enamored with his lecture to notice his son being sarcastic, continued. “After that you pour in your detergent, which you should bring from home, put in your quarters in to the coin slot and then just wait for your clothes to finish. After that your put the clothes in the dryer and, depending on of you have delicates or regular clothes, use the Delicate or Regular/Heavy setting respectively.”

	“Wow, I didn’t know it was that hard just to do the laundry.”

	“Well, when you put it in perspective it’s pretty straight forward. Okay, now I got to go take over Crunchy’s shift. You do whatever and try not to bother anyone too much okay?”

	“Whatever dad.” Bobby said as he pulled out his Ipod and took a seat on a chair near to the front door.

	Today was unusually busy, the rows were packed people and the vending machine for people who didn’t bring their own detergent was almost empty. Ronnie worked his way through aisles of customers saying, “Sorry” and, “Excuse me” like a broken record. After making it through the onslaught of people Ronnie exchanged shifts with the newbie Crunchy.

	Jerome Prestin, or Crunchy, as Ronnie called him after seeing him snack loudly on Doritos on his first day of work, was 37-year-old man who came in one day asking if there was a position available. He told Ronnie that he had just found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him and said he wanted a job that would feel clean and fresh unlike his Ex. Ronnie, seeing how depressed Crunchy looked couldn’t say no and offered him a job as part time cashier. Crunchy was a respectful and very clean cut guy with hair that was always so gelled back he looked like he came straight out of Grease. Being a heavy-set guy he was a little over 6 feet and 250 pounds and towered over Ronnie and Bobby who were both about 5 five feet and 9 inches. Since he was a big guy, Crunchy was also useful for heavy.

	“Pretty busy, huh?” Ronnie exclaimed, “I’ve never seen it this packed.”

	“Yeah,” Crunchy said with his voice that sounded more like a 3-pack-a-day smoker. “They all just came in one after another basically. I guess everyone’s machines just broke.”

	“Maybe but at least business is booming today. Alright then it’s my shift now. Take it easy.”

	“Will do,” Crunchy responded as he walked through the crowd of people who were moving out of the way to avoid the lumbering giant.

	Ronnie got relaxed in his chair behind the beige counter and watched over people to see if they weren’t stealing someone else’s quarters or detergent. From the corner of his eye Ronnie saw someone having trouble with a machine. He walked over and saw an elderly woman having trouble getting the washer to start.

	“What seems to be the problem ma’am?” Ronnie asked gently.

	“I’ve put all my clothes in and put my detergent in but I can’t find the darn start switch.” The woman said sharply.

	Ronnie chuckled and said, “Ma’am, this is a coin operated machine, you need to put in quarters into the coin slot and push it in for it to work.”

	“Oh ok, I see. I’ve never been to one of these before, but because of the water main break, the whole east side of Westwood has been without water.” She explained

	“Oh I see, so that’s why so many people are here, well ok then is that all ma’am?”

	“Well, there is one more thing,” said the woman with a small smirk, “Can I borrow a few quarters?”

	Ronnie laughed and responded, “sure thing.”

	At that moment a loud crash erupted near the front of the store. Ronnie quickly apologized to the woman for having to leave her and ran towards the sound. As he ran he saw people scattering and screaming trying to avoid an unknown danger.

	“DAAAAADDDDD!!!!!!!!!!” Bobby cried, in the distance.
	When Ronnie made it to the front of the store he saw his son struggling in the arms of a masked man.

	“EVERYONE DOWN ON THE GROUND… NOW!” screamed a man, who appeared to be just as big as Crunchy. From underneath the Barack Obama mask he was wearing he said, “This will be quick and easy if everyone just follows what I say and doesn’t try to be a hero.”

	Ronnie saw that the man had smashed his way through the front door and was holding a pistol that was pointed at his son’s head. At the risk of getting noticed, Ronnie quickly fell to the ground.

	Lying on the ground a woman asked, “Why are you here? Why aren’t you at a bank?”

	“Why?” The robber asked slyly as he tightened his grip on Bobby and waved his gun around. “Think about it, banks got all this security and so many obstacles protecting the money. And even if you get the money, 9 times out of 10, you’ll get shot. Whose gonna be protecting a Laundromat right? Besides, all those coins add up really fast. Enough explaining which one of you is in charge of this place?” The robber asked.

	Ronnie weakly raised his hand and the man told him to get up.

	“Please, I’ll do whatever you ask just don’t hurt him.” Ronnie desperately pleaded.

	“If no one does anything funny the little guy will be just fine. Now get all the money from the vending machines, washers, dryers, and cash register. And don’t even think about pushing any silent alarm. If your hands so much as drop below your waist just once when you’re at the counter, I will not only blow your son’s head off, I will shoot you and everyone else in here. And trust me; you will not get those stains out… ever.”

	Ronnie was quick to do as faux president asked and grabbed every nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar, and put them in a cloth bag. The robber who was anxious about getting the money eased up his grip on Bobby. Just as the hand off was about to be made a loud scream was heard.

	Ronnie and the robber turned to see a middle-aged man charging towards the burglar.
	“I TOLD YOU PEOPLE NOT TO BE HEROES!” The robber yelled as he let go of Bobby to point his gun at the oncoming man. Bang! A loud shot was heard along with some quick screams of shock. Bang! Another shot soon followed. The room went silent for just a moment. Then a cry shattered the silence.

						* * *
	“BOBBYYYY!” Ronnie wailed.

	“Let it out man, let it out. No one could have known the gun was going to go off twice.” Softly replied Crunchy as he patted Ronnie’s back.

	Trying to get himself composed Ronnie said sniffling, “Why did that idiot have to go and run into him? Everything was going to be fine. He was going to get the money, let Bobby go, and everyone would have still been alive.”

	“But your son saved that dude’s life, you explained to me after the funeral that just as the guy was about to shoot your son pushed the pistol to the robbers head and he shot himself. No one knew that the gun was going to go off again when it hit the ground.”

	“Yea, your right I guess.” Ronnie said as he wiped the last tears from his face.

	“And besides, your son died a hero everyone will remember him for what he did. At the funeral even the mayor showed up to commend your son for his bravery.”

	“Yeah well, there’s still one thing I need to do to make him happy.” Ronnie declared.

	“Right,” responded Crunchy and the two got up and headed back to the casket.

	“Look the rain stopped, I guess He, wants this to be perfect for you.” Crunchy remarked as he pointed his finger up at the sky.

	“Yeah, your right, I guess Bobby told him to make this easier for me.” Ronnie said. “Okay, now hand me the shirt.”

	Crunchy quickly handed him the tattered white shirt still with the hole where the gun went off.

	“I still can’t believe that you got the blood out of it.” Crunchy exclaimed in as he handed Ronnie the shirt, “It looks almost brand new.”

	“One of my regulars was a soccer mom who always brought in her son’s bloody game jersey. She taught me that using Hydrogen Peroxide and then washing in cold water is the best way to get blood out of a shirt.”

	When the two arrived at the casket Crunchy opened up the lid and Ronnie gently placed the shirt in to the empty casket. As he closed the lid Crunchy came up to him.

	“You know, you never explained to me why you got this casket.”

	“Well, at the funeral, they only buried Bobby’s body. I kept the shirt to remember him by. The reason I cut my connections to people for a while was that I needed time to think about how to move on. I realized that to move on, I needed to let go.”

	“Why like this though, why such an elaborate set up?”

	“It just felt right.”

	With that exchange Ronnie and Crunchy kicked the casket in to the river. As he watched the last piece of his son drift off out of his sight, Ronnie, who hugging himself to relieve some of the stress of saying goodbye, turned to Crunchy.

	“He always loved the water when he was little,” Ronnie said softly. “He used tell me how the best part of the wash was watching the water flow in like a waterfall and that hearing the sound of the water swooshing around during the spin cycle reminded him of a marching band with soggy feet.”