That Dog – Part 14 of Through the Gates

I don’t feel high, which is probably a good thing, considering I’m in a forest where someone tried to kill me, and I’m with a complete stranger, who I haven’t been able to completely rule out as involved with my attempted murder. “Why am I not high?” I ask Joey. “Huh?” “I smoked most of…

Read more

Selective Amnesia – Part 13 of Through the Gates

We get out of the truck and cross the highway. It’s technically a highway, but it’s still a country road. Joey rubs his belly a bit, points to the ground, and says: “I think you were about there when I found you.” “You didn’t see a phone or a wallet nearby though, did you?” I…

Read more

Dancing With Mary Jane – Part 12 of Through the Gates

Joey is driving out of the city, out of the suburbs, and into the country. He lights up a joint, takes a couple of puffs and hands it to me. While I’m vehemently against smoking and driving, I do have a very good and longstanding relationship with marijuana. While I don’t want to encourage Joey’s…

Read more

Red Truck – Part 11 of Through the Gates

A man pulls up in a red truck. Red truck. I remember a red truck. Was it this truck? It has a bumper sticker which reads “Rednecks for Change.” The man parks the truck and gets out. He has a shaved head with a brown and grey beard, the wiry kind. The kind of facial…

Read more

Joey Mac – Part 10 of Through the Gates

I call Joseph to see if he’s willing to sit down and chat with me. “Hello?” “Hello, is this Joseph McIntosh?” “It’s me, Joey Mac and what’s your name?” “I’m not sure, actually,” I say. “Ya don’t know your own damn name?” “No, actually. Someone…” He interrupts me with: “is this some kind of a…

Read more

The Psychologist – Part 9 of Through the Gates

“Hey Mila, it’s Sam.” Sam’s attention is divided, he looks between me and starting blankly into the distance. It’s a recognition that we’ve made a connection that he wants to help me. Sam continues after a short pause: “I need some information on an ambulance report.” I look at Alex who looks at their father…

Read more

Free Phone – Part 8 of Through the Gates

Alex introduces me to their dad, Sam, and I tell him my story, the whole story and how I ended up in his office. He looks as though he is critical of me, like he doesn’t want me there. “Look Tulsa, I don’t know you, and I’m generally fairly concerned when strange people I don’t…

Read more

Tulsa – Part 5 of Through the Gates

I get the fuck out of the hospital. I don’t know where I am or where I’m going, but maybe I’m thinking my best option would be to get out of the city, find a job, and see if I can figure out who I am. I’m walking through the badly designed hospital parking lot…

Read more