“What’s inside the package throws me. Four balls of tightly wrapped jute. There’s a receipt in the box but it doesn’t show how much Steel has paid for the twine. It’s a mysterious item, and a lot of it. What does one do with 2600 feet of jute?
“Later that day I show Steel the box of jute and ask, ‘What did you buy all this for?’
“He shrugs, watching a college football game on the flat-screen: built guys with tight asses; not a bad thing to watch; sort of like soft porn. Anyway, the fucker ignores me. Only pays attention to me when he wants my dick in his asshole.
“I become irritated and sharply ask, “Steel, what’s all the fucking jute for?’
‘I don’t know what it is.’
“‘Jute,’ I tell him.
“‘I don’t even know what jute is.’
“He’s lying. I know he is, even when he doesn’t pay attention to me. ‘Twine,’ I say. ‘You tie things up with it. It’s tightly woven and burns fast.’
“He shakes his head. ‘I didn’t order it. Maybe it belongs to one of our neighbors.’