Free Ugly Beautiful by Sean-Paul Thomas Page B

time out here these past few days, but to live here like this for the rest of his life without a TV at least. It didn't appeal to his senses in the slightest. Fair enough he wasn't as bad as his dead wife for needing constant distractions and TV, radio, internet, social media noise all around him and at all times, but he did need it to an extent though. Sometimes there was just nothing better at the end of a good, long hard day, than cracking open a cold can of beer and munching some salted peanuts while sitting back and watching whatever football or rugby that happened to be on the box at that time. And if the match happened to be Scottish related, then all the better. Give him a scrappy Hearts versus Hibernian Edinburgh derby or Ross County Versus Aberdeen Highland derby any day of the week over your over-marketed and over -commercialised and over-hyped Manchester United Versus Chelsea. There was just something more raw and wholesomely appealing about watching the little guys.
     
    'I could easily live out here all alone. Definitely.' continued Haley, interrupting Jason's thoughts.
     
    'But for the rest of your life?' replied Jason surprised.
     
    'Why not, yeah.'
     
    'A week would be more than enough to drive me insane out here. Isolated away day after day with only your own bloody thoughts for company. I'd go frigging nuts. Then all those weird noises and clicking sounds throughout the night. Never knowing exactly who could be lurking around out here in the bushes.'
     
    Jason let out a spooky yelp which failed to scare Haley. Instead she just giggled and glanced down at the brightly lit grass beneath her feet where the dipped headlights were shining.
     
    'Well I think I would be happy.' said Haley with determination. Jason shook his head, still grinning. For a second he saw Haley in a child-like innocent frame again. It made him smile even more.
     
    'In fact I know I would be happy.' Haley continued louder and even more sure of herself, thanks to the already half drunken glass of red wine in her hand.
     
    'And I believe you. So how's the wine?'
     
    'Cheap.'
     
    Jason looked shocked at Haley's unexpected comment. He laughed at her bluntness. Haley chuckled too.
     
    'Can you even remember what cheap wine tastes like?' Jason retaliated, teasing her more.
     
    'No. But something tells me that I'll never forget the taste of this one in a hurry. Even if I do lose my memory again.'
     
    Jason laughed harder and nudged Haley playfully with his elbow.
     
    'I think the wine is going to your head young lady. And maybe that's a good thing. It's certainly loosened you up and more than I expected. And hey, don't knock my favourite Aldi Vino. It's always been there for me in my special time of need.'
     
    'Like when you had no job and no money?'
     
    'Worse actually. When I was a Student.'
     
    'You went to University?' asked Haley curiously.
     
    'Well, college, once upon a time and for a while. Or further education as they say where I come from.'
     
    'And how far did you get with your further education?'
     
    'I managed to get to my first grant check and student loan before pissing off to Thailand for six months.'
     
    'Wow. You got around.'
     
    'Yeah, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand. Some places in Europe. I've never been to America though. North or South. Not yet anyway.'
     
    Jason and Haley fell silent for a short time as they basked in the slight tingling glow of the red wine working its magic on their bodies and minds.
     
    'Do you still remember things... you know, about other countries and shit?' asked Jason, interrupting the moment.
     
    'Not really, no. My mind recalls their names and small written facts of information like I'm reading about them from a book. But no colourful images come to mind. I would never be able to imagine or visualise what it would be like to just, you know, be there in person, even if I was only there last week.'
     
    A soft Guns and Roses rock ballad played on the radio. Jason gave out his