NICK’S KNACKS

Nick’s Knacks

It used to be called Cash Thrifts. It was a combination thrift store and pawn shop The police raid determined they sold drugs and guns and worse.

Former Buffalonian Nick Smith, a
prolific author under 20 names, bought
it in a federal auction…building and
contents and renamed it Nick’s Knacks.

Nick stands 6′ 3″ and is movie star
handsome. At age 40, he’s never
married but I “know” he’s not gay. He
tries to keep his affairs totally discreet.

Did I mention his smile and prince
charming blond hair? Or his bulging
muscles that match his other bulge?
He totally operates his own store.

He has zero employees and writes
behind the counter while people
shop and browse. It’s a mostly cash
business and he’s far too trusting.

He has run his store for two years next door to my apartment building. He
knows the names of all the locals and there are several surveillance cameras.

Despite this being “the hood” and having
several gangs, Nick has no problem with
calling thieves to “bring back the watch
you stole or pay for it. You’re on tape.”

He hasn’t been shot, jumped or worse.
He’s a local. Best friends with Pastor
Roy who operates the nearest church.
His fame brings people and money, here.

I try to stop by once a day to drool
over him. So do much prettier others!
He’s read some of my poems as I have
read many of his cosy urban books.

He was the first to describe my poems
as “gritty.” We had two dates and one
fleeting sexual encounter but despite
my attraction – there were zero sparks.

I think poems of my past abuse might
have scared him off. Still, he still goes
out of his way to be friendly but he is
the same with everyone else, also.

About midnight, three weeks ago,
a drunk ran his car into the corner of
the store. The city tried to condemn
the building for structural damage!

Nick brought in an engineer who put
the city in it’s place. Nick reopens
very soon. In the meantime, Nick has
voluntered at a nearby soup kitchen.

He sits at a table writing and alternately
greeting and serving those who wander in. The soup kitchen is a Pastor Roy project. I wander in every couple days.

Nick also attends Roy’s church. Sparks
may fly soon as I, and two other people,
just caught Nick kissing Roy’s wife!
Fat Agnes, is most likely to snitch!