The important thing
is where we draw the line,
Connie told me
in an alley
back of Rexall drugs -
he and I full-blush,
nine years old,
mustering ways
to tell ourselves
it's okay
to steal a thing or two.
(Later on he told me
it was a line from
Perry Mason.)
Connie knew a thing or two
about drawing lines
for purposes of
sleeping at night
(he told me
it was just
the family business
on his daddy's side).
That was not the last time
I drew the line so low,
sometimes too deep
in need of
single malt
on a blended diet,
but I never looked at a dead man
past the end of a pistol.
Connie did.
Honorable mention
Adding your comment:
Raw, real & visceral penning, my Friend. I don't know if Connie is a real person or not, or even a composite of several people; if not, you've certainly fleshed him out & given him a real voice in your work. Always impressive, Scribe. Good luck in Meli's challenge, Sweetie. 
Wanda
