The Move

           She offered a simple smile to her friends as her parents proudly exhaled with beads of sweat dripping off their big noses. The house wasn't the biggest but it was their first and packing it all into the borrowed pick-up wasn't easy. Marie's mom had always been the family planner so she saw to it the entire unit (there were only three of them, mom, dad, and Marie) was up before dawn and dug in to their respective tasks immediately. Marie was tired enough after saying a long goodbye to her fifth-grade class and teacher. She was also annoyed because the family had to move. Dad had gotten a promotion at the mill he worked for and found a new house in a different neighborhood. The idea that people had to leave the place they loved and try to make new friends bothered her a lot.

       "Why do we have to go away?" She'd asked her mom with tears running down her brown cheeks. "I love it here and the kids in the new place are mean!"

         "Oh come on," Mom wrapped her arms around the child, "you don't know that for sure. They could be the greatest kids in the world. For all we know the new school could have girls like you who love teddy bears and playing Bingo." Mom was always trying to cheer everyone around her up and had the most beauriful big, dark eyes.

        Marie gave it some thought. Mom wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone, and she sure as heck would never lie. The calm embrace and kind words had their desired affect despite Marie's best effort. She drew back and kissed her mom's cheek. "I don't know, maybe."

       That was yesterday though and after Dad had explained to her the whole idea was a new adventure. There was happiness to be found," he smiled broadly as he spoke and an orchestra filled Marie's ears. The room was flooded with light and she watched as Dad described the wonders that awaited them in the effort to find the elusive ball of happiness that was stolen by an evil wizard and must be retrieved. She found herself thrilled by the prospect of slaying the evil wizard's fierce dragon named Loopy. She slept with the images of her parantes and her soaring across a red sky and into the arms of a tickle monster named Fannie.

       It was Saturday afternoon now and Marie's two best friends had managed to come and bid farewell. Marie was excited because the idea that Mom had given her about playing Bingo and with teddy bears, and Dad's imagery of the battle between them, the wizard and Loopy. Then a sadness drifted down and dragged her heart to her feet. This was really happening, she told herself in the far recess of her mind, I'm really going to go away. The pick-up was started and Dad hung his head out the window. "All righty then, I think we have everything. Hop aboard family and prepare for the adventure of a life time."

      Mom swooped Marie up and into the back seat. Marie was mesmerized by the whole thing. She followed the procedure of belting herself into the seat without comment or thought. Dad revved the engine and they were gone. Marie felt a bee's nest inside her belly about to burst. Dad had told her there was more money in store so she could get new stuff. Mom could hang around with peopleshe liked more thanthe ones from the old neighborhood and Marie would have the third floor all to herself.

           She tried to console herself and repeated over and over again, "It's all for the best, you'll see," Despite this: She really didn't want to change her whole life.


                                                                    -Finis- 

Rainstorm

          Woke up late. Smiled as the cat licked her paw and washed her head. Ran to the shower where no hot water was to be found. Threw some clothes on and ran out the door with a half-spilled cup of hot coffee. Saw the bus and felt a mild relief. The speckles of water drifted from an overhead cloud. Grinning at the sky. Lightening burst across bringing a flash of excitement. Bus stalled and sat waiting for maintenance. Tooting horns as traffic backed up. Sighing as the thought of a bus shelter enters. Step to the shelter as the rain accumulates and bursts on the scene. Soaked now as the shelter is blown away by a gust of wind. Cars float on the street. Curses spew from tired mouth and the flood waters wash toward. Shrug as the determination of a thousand years frustration sets upon the mind. Smirk now as the swim is begun. Minutes (maybe hours) later the door shoved open and gazes of curiosity are met with an apology. Punch in at the clock. Step through to the office and see the television showing the damage created by the storm is getting worse. Tears fall from weary eyes as the recognition of home on the screen being swept away enters the eyes. Boss now within two inches, screams obscenity, "You're fired, four times in a row late!"

        Can't stand hurricanes!

The Song

           It was last night as she tossed and turned trying to find both the right position and the mind-set to sleep. It was not working remotely the way she'd planned. Iris Thomson was becoming concerned that she may never again be able to sleep and therefore found herself nervous. Like a silly goose, she'd drank a huge cup of chamomile tea before hitting the sack. Listening to Randy (her almost boyfriend who studied the rituals of Indians and was becoming a brain surgeon) seemed a good idea and she made the tea. Unfortunately, the only affect the tea had was to tease her bladder. This was also a tough thing because today is payday and she had planned to head to the store for toilet paper, she had none.

         Then the thought dropped on her like a hammer banging a nail home: Music soothes the savage beast. Her folks used to listen to music to put them to sleep. With the faint hint of a sarcastic grin, she turned the radio on low and sought  a gentle station to help her sleep. She found there was a country oldies station that would fit the bill. After tuning the radio to receive, she closed her eyes and found a soothing beat into which she could fall. When she awoke the song was playing again. It had a perfect beat, sweet harmony and great lyrics. The song was called: "This Too" and one of the lines from the chorus went, "I know it's hard, I can see the end of the world, but don't worry, no need to be sorry, nothing forever lasts, this too will pass," Iris laughed. She got out of bed and as the coffee machine started to fill, took a shower. Humming the melody line to "This Too"  without realizing what she was doing.

       By the time she got to her office the song was starting to drive her batty. She didn't recognize it was having a similar effect on those around her until she collected her check and watched the clock. She then belted out, "Nothing forever lasts, this too will pass," she allowed her head to bob. She then looked up to see the entire staff angrily standing over her carrying baseball bats. Mr. Dinger, the shift supervisor said, "Thomson, shut up with that stupid freakin' song. We've all heard enough of it to quote the damn thing line for line. If anyone here EVER sings that song again they will DIE! Is this understood?"

      Iris grinned sheepishly and then ran for the door as she sang it once more. The crew with whom Iris Thomson worked is now collectively serving time for aggravated assault. Which means they were aggravated as they beat the snot out of her, right?

So she said

              "The way it went down," the girl began speeding up as she spoke, "was not as pretty as people will let you think." She caught a glimpse at the muddy ground of the field, "Truth is that I wasn't even there. You have to believe me Shar, I really didn't do anything wrong."

             Her name was Deb and her friend was Shar. Shar had just been told that Deb was the person that stole Shar's latest package. She was always a sentimental girl so she was pissed almost beyond thought. She had dragged her friend to the now abandoned soccer field to drum the truth out. Her package was a desirable, dark delight who had come a long way to entertain and share himself with the girl. That being the case she was a tad uptight as she regarded her friend and wasn't sure what to believe.

            Deb was good looking enough to get her own damn "package" regardless of colour or size. After a second of quiet as Deb tried to see if she was successful in her bid to have Shar listen, she gazed at her friend's eyes. Then, "Yeah, I admit I was jealous and wanted it badly. I was there as your brother brought the package over to your yard. You hadn't gotten back from the pool yet. So I started to talk to him. Your brother, that silly goof, left me alone laughing as he smiled at us."

          Shar heard enough, "So you just decided to take a bite out of my action while there was a chance right? Just swoop in and take what was mine?"

          "No, you dummy, I didn't touch him. In fact I showed him the tree and left him under the fort so he would know the best place to find you. When I left he was untouched, looking good, but untouched."

          Shar rolled her eyes for a moment then, "So when did you find out he'd been molested?"

          "When your brother called and told me you were looking to kick my ass for taking a bite."

           "And you say that my brother is the only person you've talked to?"

            Exchanging looks of understanding with each other, the girls ran with vengance for the brother with an appetite. They found him sitting by the pool with a smear of chocolate on his face. Shar grabbed her numbskull brother by the ear. "You creepy little turd! You ate the little guy didn't you? Let me think it was Deb!"

          The brother, a portly young scamp with a smile that would let one think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth named Dick, said, "Well dang it all, she said she wanted to have a chocolate man so bad I figured I'd get away with it. Nana sent it to you, yeah, but what did I get? Nothing but a basketball!"

           The girls decided to feed Dick the basketball.

             

Life and Time

           Kip was thrilled. Today was the most exciting of his short existence. He hopped up and down as he looked at the drop ahead of him with eagerness. The line was forming and he smiled as he stepped in behind some of the bigger guys. They'd all been trained for this event and were just as anxious to please as was Kip. The roar of thunder folled by the crackling of lightning brought the youth to full attention.

           "Over the land you will fall and aim for the plants please. They need you to operate at full capacity. Thank you for your service. I speak now for all of the Earth and its contemporaries. The signal has been issued, now jump!"

         The drill drop was an old wet hen but she was right. The line jumped one by one and Kip welled with anticipation. He smiled a sigh as he dove behind a huge drip. Then laughed merrily as he drifted toward the dirt. To know purpose and truly feel important was the greatest thing in the universe. Especially if your name is Kip and you're a raindrop.


                                                                    End.

The House on Hartshorn Ave.

 

              From the corner tree where the sidewalk met the road the old place looked just that-old. It was dimly painted a fading shade of blue. The very idea that it was a structure that time forgot persisted in my mind as I stepped off the bus. My Uncle Lewis was supposed to pick me up after school right by the old dump. He was nowhere to be seen and it pissed me off because I was all set to hang out that afternoon. My friends and I were going to the park to shoot a couple games of HORSE. Now it looked like my plan was in the toilet which is where I'd have to put Uncle Lewis when I caught up with him. I slid my backpack off and slung it toward the ground out of anger. It didn't crash on the pavement though, instead it flew and landed on the porch of the creepy old place. I walked over to pick it up and slammed my feet on the way. I reached out to grab it and it moved, sliding toward the old screen door. Then I stared at the door as I noticed how badly the years had treated it.

               The springs were rusty and creaked, the spot where the screen was supposed to be was empty and the handle was split down the middle. I snapped my mind back to the job at hand and climbed onto the stoop to grab my backpack when the door whisped open and the stench of dying flowers hit me hard. Holding my nose I was overwhelmed with wonder so I found my feet trekking inside. A second later there was a furry yellow cat that shrieked at me and decided to see how long it'd take for me to leave. I took the challenge personally and figured I'd have a look around. The place was left behind God knows when and I could see there was furniture still inside. Cobwebs, dust, and cat turds were all over the place. I bumped into a cord which gave me a fright. I didn't make a noise instead I bit my lip as I checked the floor to see on what I'd stepped.
          
             A cool stiff wind came in from a window I couldn't see and it made a shiver run down my spine. My backpack got tossed at me from behind and I caught it with the whisper of a satisfied smile on my face. It then donned on me there had to be someone else inside this creepy old house. I mean backbacks don't usually just throw themselves at you, do they? I was nervous but once again I was too curious to turn back. I called out: "Hello, I don't know who is there but I only came here for my pack okay?"

           The reply sent a line of goosepimples up and down my entire body. The place was dark until a voice called out to me and then there was a pale red light that emerged from the ceiling. It said: "Heya Porky, I need to know if you're part of the demolition crew. I guess you're not, which is good because I don't like the idea of being forced to move. You know what I'm talking about?"

           My mind became much clearer than I thought it could ever be under the circumstances. Before I knew what was happening I said, "Yeah, I know just what you mean. My ma really pissed me off with that crap too. She told me we had to move and that I'd make new friends so don't worry about it."

         "Yep, and while you do make new friends your parents drive to see their old ones all the time." Then I watched with amazement as a full vase of flowers sprand to life and washed away the scent of their dead ancestors. The new aroma made a loud belly laugh come from my insides. "That's the same thing my parents told me when they died and left me here alone. The next thing I heard, some schmuck said he was buying the property and was going to wipe away the house. I convinced him not to touch the house but he bought the land. Uh, got a question for ya?"

         I was enjoying the conversation so I said, "Sure thing, what's up?"

        "Just wondering what year it is? It was a couple days ago, I think, that I got rid of the creep."

        "Hee-hee-hee, it's 2015. What year d'ya think it is?"

         The voice became a noisy laugh as the whole room shook and the light flickered. "Last I knew it was 1965 and the Beatles were happening. Wow, it's been a while then since that jerk wanted to wipe out my place."

        I smiled and we talked about what it was like to be a kid a hundred years ago and all of that. The next thing I knew my watch alarm went off and I was suddenly going to be late for dinner. The voice, as it turned out, belonged to a kid named Buckley. Buckley was born on the other side of town by the Bay River and had to move to the house on Hartshorn Ave. when he was fourteen. He was pissed about it but made the best of the whole thing. His folks and he got killed one night in seperate places. They left him home to beat the flu while they went out to eat. The old man fell asleep behind the wheel and they crashed into a tree. Buckley threw his guts up and died that same night. Since then he's stayed at the house so he could make peacewith his dumb parents.

       After I told him what my problems were he said he'd help me. We shared a laugh and then agreed that I could return whenever I wanted. I walked out into the cool evening and saw Uncle Lewis pull up in his beater. He grinned as he opened the door and I climbed into the warm seat. "Sorry I'm so late there little buddy, I had to break up with my girl and she was pissed. The screwed up thing is that I forgot your mom asked me to meet you here. Then as soon as I left Cindy's a breeze whispered your name and I floored it to get here. I know that sounds weird but it's true!" He looked freaked out and I nodded. We pulled away from the house and I felt a rush of the giggles come over me.

     The old place is still there and every now and then I like to go back and shoot the crap with Buckley. Ghosts make great friends you know?


                                                                 -Finis-           

Ellen's Favor

            The girl laughed like a dolphin in heat as the old woman tried to stand. They were both a little tired and weary after the day's activities. The old woman was the girl's last living grandparent and the girl herself was a handful. A tiny terror, if you would, because of her rambunctiousness and low tolerance for boredom. The old woman, we'll call her Mary, had planned on a simple trip to the market followed by a restful afternoon nap. The child from hell, named Ellen, determined that food shopping was a boring thing for anyone to do. Therefore she pulled everything within reach into the carriage, screamed bloody murder after being told to behave, and then pooped to show her dissatisfaction all over the seat. Mary was livid. The cashier, a bouncy lad named Doug, giggled like a school boy as he clicked the order through his register.

         By the time they returned to Mary's studio apartment the old lady was damn near ready to have a heart attack. She placed Ellen carefully inside her playpen and stepped toward the cabinet to put the groceries away. Then she slipped and fell to the floor. Ellen started to giggle and pointed at her grandmother. Mary was ready to scream at the sound of her grandchild's dolphin-like racket. The doorbell rang and the old lady sighed relief. She yelled, "It's open damn it! Come in already!"

       Denise looked marvelous as she stepped inside. Her hair was done up perfectly and the new pantsuit she wore with pride. She rushed to her mom and, as she put the groceries in their place, said, "Ma, you'd never believe what a great day I've had. What do you think of my hair? This pantsuit looks good doesn't it? I thought for a minute the girl was trying to rip me off but then I saw the regular price." She stopped yaking and helped her mom to a seat. Then heard the doplphin and smiled. "Wow, Ellen is really happy. Thanks mom, I hate to be so rude but it's time to rush her home and put her down for a nap. I hope she wasn't too much trouble?"

      Mary wasn't sure if she should scream or cry. Instead of either she simply nodded as Ellen was picked up by Denise. The child from hell yawned in her mother's arms and then fell asleep. Denise leaned Ellen over so Mary could kiss the child goodbye. With a weak smile she then bade her child and her child's child a fond farewell. Watching them walk out the door, Mary slid onto her sofa and thought, "Someday, my precious child, Ellen will have a few and return the favor!" 

  

The Shrink and the Addiction

             "Let's be honest for a moment John," the therapist smiled insincerely as he sought the proper expression. His problem was clear: if he offended this man (a rich Mexican-American who had discovered a problem with smoking lilac bushes, they were addictive) it would be the third time in as many days he'd lost a customer. They were still called "patients" technically but Dr. Bradford and his
colleagues had decided they preffered to refer to the people that saw them by a much more accurate title. At least among themselves. Bradford pushed his squared-off glasses against the bridge of his nose as he watched Juan Gomez stare at the empty fish tank in front of the small desk. "You have a problem with t he scent of the bushes because your mother forbade you from enjoying the flowers as a child. It seems to me that a person with the despicable financial enviorment from which you came would have a significant amount of difficulty adjusting to the wealth you have amassed." Dr. Bradford was proud of his manipulation of the English language. He could've just said, "Look ya dumb gringo, you were a poor kid who stumbled into a lot of cash. Your mom was a snot who told you boys play with toy guns. Get over it and leave the damn bushes alone will ya?" That would certainly have offended the wealthy fisherman's boat navigator/owner though and he'd have lost another customer.

            Juan took his attention from the tank, "You think maybe that's it? Momma was worried I would grow into a homo so she didn't let me near the flowers, and that's why now I smoke them? Makes sense, wierd, but yeah I guess so." Juan grinned as Dr. Bradford felt his face warm. "So what do you think I should do about it then?"

           Dr. Bradford was at a loss for what to say/do next. He played with a pencil on his desk pretending to be lost in thought although he was really bored. The small alarm clock that slept inside his desk came to life. He breathed a sigh of relief. "That is something we can get into next Tuesday. Right now I have another appointment to get to and you, I believe, have to return to work."

          Juan stood and stretched his hand toward Dr. Bradford. "Si, you are right. Thank you Doctor Bradford, I'll be back next week."

          Bradford shook his customer's hand and watched as the man stepped out of his office. After Juan Gomez was gone, the good doc opened his window and took his bong out of the bottom desk drawer. He filled it with potpourri and then dropped a lit match on the bowl. As the aroma filled the corner and he inhaled from the bong, Dr. Bradford thought, "Wow, ma, you have no idea!"