The front cover pictured two ginormous peaches lying in the grass against each other, with a bite taken out of the closest peach showing a glimpse of its brown pit.The title read, “ZIPPER: PITIFUL PEACHES or STOLEN SECRETS?”In fine print, it said, “Look on page eight to find out!”I almost ripped the magazine open when my boss walked by.I pretended to put the magazine back into the slot despite wanting more than anything to read what was inside that cover.
“Hey!I am facing the new stock of magazines,” I said slyly.Facing is when you bring products toward the front of a shelf so customers can reach them more easily.
Fernando gave me a thumbs-up as he observed me.
Employees could only buy personal items during their breaks or when off the clock.My break was an hour away, and I wondered if I would survive until then.The minutes seemed to pass as slowly as Sheriff Douglas could run.It was agonizing seeing the clock tick forward with such little movement.When it was finally time to get my fingers onto the publication, I bolted down the aisle, grabbed the peach cover, and placed it on the conveyor belt.The magazine pushed forward as my co-worker Marvin rang it up for me.
“Are you a fan of Jesse Young and the Matches?I think that new song stinks.Disco is where the trends are heading.You should come to the roller rink to get your groove on.Sometimes, some other workers and I go there after work.They play the best songs.It feels great under the sparkling lights.I’d love to take you.”
I wouldn’t be caught dead roller skating, especially listening to disco in some sequin outfit.It wasn’t my scene, and neither was Marvin.Marvin was an all right guy and was only a grade above me but was part of an incompatible social group.Not to mention, my heart was elsewhere.
“Oh, thanks for the offer, but I don’t think it would be for me.I am more of a rock fan,” I said, grabbing the magazine and rushing out the front door.“I will be back!I am taking my break!”Although I listened to other genres occasionally, I needed an excuse to get out of there.
I sat in the front seat and felt the pages between my fingertips, licking my thumb to turn them.After picking apart a couple of pages that were stuck together, I flipped to page eight, revealing more than the story I wrote in my letter.
PITIFUL PEACHES or STOLEN SECRETS?
By: Harrold Hayes
If you haven’t heard Jesse Young and The Matches’ new hit “Pitiful Peaches,” you are in for a treat.The song has something for everybody to love; relatable lyrics, soft piano, electric bass, and a moody drum beat.But is it original?
An anonymous source wrote to ZIPPER claiming that Pitiful Peaches’ lyrics were stolen from a high school student named Darren Lawrence in Moose Creek, and the sequence of chords on the chorus were made by a 1950s band called Brett Beats.Lawyers from Brett Beats are thoroughly looking into the situation and claiming they will also represent Mr.Lawrence if they file a lawsuit against the band and Ultimate Records.
Jesse Young’s fame may be going to his head, making fans worried for his health and well-being.After a concert disaster in Portland, Oregon, Jesse went AWOL.Concertgoers say that Jesse was upset at his bandmate, Keith Knox, for changing the setlist.Jesse allegedly threw his microphone at Keith, causing the mic to make a high-pitched noise.Many fans are outraged and are demanding a refund.Jesse Young and The Matches have refused to respond to any of these newfound allegations.
A guilty photo has emerged of Jesse Young at West-Brooke Rehabilitation Center, where he has been admitted.The public is left to ask if “Pitiful Peaches” is a masterpiece or “Stolen Secrets.”
Next to the column was a blurry black-and-white paparazzi photograph of Jesse smoking a cigarette on a balcony.He wore jeans with a plain white cotton shirt that was baggy compared to his typical well-fitted show attire.His tattooed arms looked weak in the overflow of the cloth.It could have been the low quality or the shadows from the sun, but the corner of his mouth was raised like he was about to smile.A wave of guilt hit me, pushed me over, and dragged me in the current.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Spit Out the Pit
Song: Vienna—BillyJoel
July 20th, 1975
