Folk Matters

Jasper leaned on the tailgate next to his boss, a framing contractor named Roads, the kind of guy who’d hire you back on the spot after you quit for two years. Roads dabbled in philosophy and every now and then mushrooms and Jasper had once heard him talk about a meditation thing called a dark retreat. So it was no surprise when Roads said that the demons worth battling were your own. It’s a waste of your energy to walk a mile in your ex’s mud-crusted boots, he said. Just to give an example. Anyway, for sure bad for your personal sanity. To this, Jasper replied: I can’t help it. I get carried away. He stood and hiked up his jeans. Alright then, the boss said. Jasper sat down again and took the proffered beer.