Quickies

“What’s on TV” she asked. Paul wasn’t in the mood to answer. He’d had time to consider this relationship. It seemed awfully one-sided, with him getting the short end of the stick every time. He decided to start a fight, so he looked her in the eye and said, “Dust.”

She knew it was coming. Ever since she got that text saying “We need to talk.” She continued her lesson to a class of fifth graders, anxious for the day to end so they could run home to their video games. Her anxiety was in what was waiting for her.

-Wake up!
-Mmmmm, what?
-The house is on fire!
-No it’s not. What do you want?
-I need you.
-I need you too, baby. Now just give me five more minutes.
-But I need you now!
She grabbed my arm and started pulling. That’s life with a drama queen.

Chloe crossed and stopped halfway to see the tree-lined suburban street she was on dully reflected in the rain water. It was late fall, and the rain did it’s job of clearing off the last of the leaves from the trees. The clouds hid the sky and added a chill to the day.

A parquet floor became the hill she chose to die on. “Margaret, a parquet floor is a major undertaking. The cost alone…”
“That’s what I want for the living room, and I won’t budge from this.”
“But the renovation is already costing us so much!”
“I’m sure you’re just exaggerating.”

He blew in with the breeze, a dark figure trailing smoke and the smell of sulfur. He knocked on the door of whose occupants had seen him approach. They stood, paralyzed with fear. The man of the house approached the door, opened it, to hear, “You ordered the pizza?”

I loved this time of year. The tulips in front of the Plaza Hotel were all in bloom. An explosion of reds and yellows running up the block, waving softly in the small wind, each saying hello. I waved back and giggled at mom. She saw my silliness and smiled back.

-I have to go.
-Dude, why are you leaving so early?
-I’ve got to study for the finals.
-Those are three weeks away! What gives?
–
-C’mon, out with it.
-Honestly, I don’t like your new friends.
-What’s wrong with them?
-Well, they’re a bit obnoxious.
–
-Leave then, you little bitch.

I woke up to the sound of wind chimes. I looked around and could not recognize the room I was in. The sun flowed lazily through the cheep window curtains, giving the bare room a soft glow. The chain around my ankle said I wasn’t going far.

Every time I try
to write a Haiku I get
a little flustered.

She was bright for twelve years. Looking at her all you saw was just another little girl, with her hair done up with in two small afro-puffs, sitting on a narrow head on top of a lanky dark frame. She stood there waiting in line with the others for their chance to enter the pool, the room full of the cacophonous sounds of children’s anticipation echoing off of the walls. She had friends, but would always hold a little back, enough so as not to alienate herself from the crowd. The only sign of how smart she was burned in her eyes, something she couldn’t hide. She had plans that would take her far from the meager existence that was forced on her. Not that life was bad, she just wanted more. A whistle blew, the noise ebbed to near silence, and the lifeguard approached, spewing instructions to everyone. After many nods of agreement, he blew the whistle again, signaling the all clear. The children raced to the pool, some making mighty leaps, including her. Yes, she would enjoy this stage in her life. She saw a never-ending brightness in her future, and she would be patient. There was a lot of work to be done, but for now she would enjoy being a kid for a long as she could.

Trees whispered back and forth. The grass heard the call and shared it with the other blades. Birds chirped while squirrels hid their booty. The sun looked down and saw all, bared all. No secrets, all was Truth. And in Truth, all was good.

When the shadows grew long enough he slipped out on brand new sneakers, eager to meet the city, its noises and yells, smells and heat. He had people to meet, trouble to get into. He thought of Shana and had a flash of fore-shadowing. The things they would do.

A brackish, vile, filth spewed out of his mouth, words that by themselves weren’t much, but combined created an atmosphere that hung heavily on the air. The outburst was as violent as a whip yet lasted longer, the sting digging deep beneath the skin. All because I called him Nancy.

-So you’ll come?
-I don’t know….
-But you got to! I got a bottle of Moonesfarm for the party!
-Moonesfarm? What’s that?
-It’s, it’s strawberry wine. I got it from my uncle.
-Really? So he’s cool?
-Yeah! So you comin’?
–
-Okay, fine, let me get my sweater.

He steered his two-seater BMW into the driveway and parked. Stepping onto the path to the house, he realized he didn’t love her. This was just a means to an end. Now everyone will be happy, his family, her’s. The strange part was this was exactly where he wanted to be at this stage in his life, worked hard for it. Now, looking at his future, this house, and all that awaits him inside, he knew he didn’t want it. At all.

“You need to be more careful” Aunt Greta said. “And why do you speed?” “Im not speeding auntie, this is how everyone drives.” Now I know why picking her up was foisted on me. “So everyone’s an idiot?” she demanded. Two hours of this, it’s going to feel like twenty.

The kids were busy inflating the octagonally shaped lounge chair wading pool. It sat four and held enough water to cool down from the summer heat. One of the kids started filling it; another got in and stamped around in the water. The anticipation was getting the most of them.

Okay, here I go
Not wanting to write a word
But compelled to write

A man in white, white suit, white tie, white vest, white hat with a white band, white shoes and white socks, stepped into the bar. He was immediately mocked by everyone there, people who found a new life in that bar and feared leaving it. They instantly regretted their humor.

“Join my respite from these wretched fools” he said.
“But they are me, I can’t deny them” she replied.
“Then you are doomed for their wretched pride” he cried.
“Though I be doomed, I will still have hope” she replied.
“You will die, and I with you” he mourned.

I have a big job tomorrow. It could determine my future. I’m nervous. I won’t be making any money on this, what I will gain is credibility. I’ve never done this before but I’ve studied every thing about it, and I’m ready. Who knew babysitting would be so demanding.