THE ONE AND ONLY ADONIS

Fancy a laugh?

Read this from chocolate Chunks From Crazy Crete

“Hey, Adonis.”

He ignored the voice as he staggered from the outside toilet of the bar. Markos always could drink him under the table and he hated it.

Adonis knew that Stephenos, the boss of the Zeus Beach Bar, would sack him if he arrived late again, so Markos would have to carry on drinking alone.

Turning left would be a short cut but his befuddled brain ushered him to the right, and by the time he realised, any distance gained had disappeared. Adonis swore loudly, much to the delight of an old friend passing by, but unfortunately to the disgust of some holidaymakers from Athens.

He tried to apologise but the words from his lips sounded strange as if he had spoken in a different language. Moving like a crab to pass by sideways, wasted another minute, so he checked the time on his watch. He tried to concentrate, yet the hands appeared to be as still as his brain. Thoughts of his recent trip to the toilet entered his mind and he remembered falling to the cold floor. He guessed that his horizontal fall had blurred his sight, and that perhaps, his watch was as smashed as he was?

His eyes were misty, his body shook, yet he had to go, so he put his head down and moved on as best he could. Breaking into a run cleared his head a little, and his desire to keep his job increased with ever step.

This job was so important, for Adonis really needed the money. With so many locals unemployed, Stephenos wouldn’t think twice about firing him, as he had so many eager to take on any jobs available. And Stephenos wouldn’t think twice about laying the blame at the feet of Adonis if his kids went hungry.

Deep inside, Adonis hated his boss, even though his harsh words would ring true. He knew that only he should take the blame, but as usual, he would always point the finger elsewhere.

That thought of his children without food drove him on.

Like a man running in treacle he pushed hard. Another corner loomed and he staggered around it, seeing the last stretch before him. He knew where the taverna was but his eyes were unable to focus on anything resembling the large sign of the Greek god, Zeus.

He desperately increased his pace.

The sign came into view.

It was now or forever be sacked.

The steps up to the bar loomed ever closer. Adonis took them two at a time, tripped, fell, and knew no more.

He felt a gentle hand on his face and a wet towel on his forehead. Opening his eyes the lovely Maria was bending over him, her face full of concern, her eyes moist.

“Thank god you are okay, but why were you running Adonis?”

“I didn’t want to lose my job. Am I on time?”

“You idiot! You don’t work on Sundays.”