That Lonely, Reclusive Guy

I used to go meet Holden every Saturday at the park. He used to call me everyday, asking me if I wanted to hang out with him. I felt mean to rebuff him so I said we should meet every Saturday instead in the park. He was fine with that.

I remember one day, it was snowing very had, and I was clad in my thick winter jacket, waiting for Holden to arrive. It was very cold outside, my body wasn't satisfied with one thick jacket. After five minutes or so, I saw Holden gingerly walking down the icy road, careful not to slip. He had a despondent disposition as always, and his face looked excruciating from the cold. He was wearing a rather thin coat, shivering. He is a thin, weak guy.

He said hi to me, saying how much he abhors the snow. He's always rebuking everything. I bet he doesn't have anyone he likes. I surmise that that's why he doesn't really have a friend.
"Why are you always depressed?"

"I don't know really," he says looking at the ground, "I guess it's because of Allie's gruesome death." That's when he started talking about him, how he regrets not being in his funeral. He said that it is a recurring thought and haunts him. I kind of felt sorry for him, his life actually. That's why I meet him every Saturday, because he's a lonely, reclusive guy. He talked about Allie interminably. I kept looking at my watch. I was going to meet Micah, Sarah, Carla, and Jess, who are my friends since kindergarten, in the mall today.

Later, he switched his subject to school. He told me about people he hates: Stradlater, Ackley, Ernie, some actors and others more. I can't remember all the people he mentioned, but there was so many of them. He got all mad and all when he talked about how Stradlater would take sexual advantage on this girl called Jane. He seemed to like her. He is, as you have probably noticed, very irascible about sexual advantage kind of stuff, and it rankles him a lot.

"Oh...I got kicked out of Pencey"

"WHAT? Again? It's your fourth time already!!!"

Holden, he's always kicked out of a school. What makes me wonder is how can his dad be a lawyer, a sage person, when Holden is the total opposite? I bet he is lackadaisical about doing homework and studying. He's only good at English.

I looked at my watch again. I was late. I quickly stood up, told Holden I had to meet my friend and that I was 10 minutes late. His facial expression worsened. I swear I felt so bad for him.
But I had to go. I waved Holden a good bye and started walking down down the street.

Holden Caulfield

Whooton School
Kicked out,
Elkton Hills,
Kicked out,
Pencey Prep
Kicked out,
I change my school,
Like people change
Their hair color.


I lived in Ossenburger Memorial Wing
of the new dorms.
Ward Stradlater,
My room mate,
That moron,
Thinks he's a hot-shot.


Ackley Kid,
Roomed next to me,
Never did I see,
Him brushing
His lousy teeth,
He damn near,
Made me sick,


That sick bastard.
I'm quite illiterate,
But I read a lot.


I know a few,
Authors too:
My brother D.B,
Ring Lardner,
Isak Dinsen,
Somerset Maugham.


It's night right now,
Ackley kid,
Boy, does he snore
Like a madman.


It's quite here,
You can't hear no cars
Anymore.
I got up,
And packed my two Gladstones,
Off to the goddam corridor,
Down the silent stairs,
With my red hunting hat on,
And my Gladstones,
And yell,
“Sleep tight, ya morons!”
I bet,
I woke up every bastard
On the whole floor.


Then I got the hell out.