I used to work at the mall and
a news crew came in to the store
to do a story.
There was this
photographer — short, black hair,
slick leather jacket, with a camera
slung over his shoulder.
Breath reeked of fish.
Unbelievable, I thought.
This guy is fucking amazing.
If I could only have
the worst smelling
fish breath of all time
because I spent my entire
lunch break eating sushi
I would have it made.
No more food court popcorn,
grease trap chicken burgers.
We were taking big swings
and going all the way
to the top.
A job you love, paid time off
for that luxury vacation,
your own office and people
that respect you?
Hell no.
Fish.
My head was spinning with fish
floating over meticulously
prepared rice.
I still think about
that guy’s breath.
Been chasing it ever since.
Big Swings
Ian Valor