The Doogan Man

A Brooklyn recluse creates a bond with a pastry delivery man via found journal entries. 

     That’s when all hell broke loose.  While negotiating a tight curve, his vehicle swerved, and he landed partway in the adjacent lane.  He recalled his recent collision with a seltzer truck and had shuddered at rising insurance premiums.  Charlie overcorrected by turning the large steering wheel sharply to the left. He began losing control of the wobbly truck. His baked goods jostled around and fell from their trays.  Then he rode over a huge pothole, crater like, which forced the back door ajar.  Charlie thought he latched the door, but the bump’s impact forced it open. Glancing out the side mirror, Charlie observed pastry hurtling through the air.  He saw Danish and jelly donuts splatter onto pavement, as one plopped onto the hood of the trailing vehicle.  Charlie slowed down and pulled over.  It wasn’t easy as the road had few places to pull off. The shoulder was tight and narrow.  Cars whizzed by at frightening speed.  He exhaled, and stepped gingerly from the truck and walked to the back.  Many of his goods were gone, strewn along the highway, like broken glass.