Subj: "Twylyght Tyme" Part 9
Date: 8/24/00 9:18:43 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Kallie
"The Bomb"
Time: December 3, 1969
Fornicators! The Angel screamed inside, although not a word was spoken. Despite seething with rage at the sight of the entwined couple, it was important to keep up the illusion of being a sweet and happy person on the outside to avoid suspicion. Closing the door undetected by the promiscuous pair, The Angel decided to go down to the kitchen and see what solutions the storeroom might have for this highly vulgar problem; perhaps a little rat poison would do the trick. Those people should know better, after all they weren't even married!
The Angel couldn't believe all the sinful stuff going on around this place. But soon it would all come to an end. Why just last night one of the most worthless and irritating pests of all had been eliminated. It was almost like some unknown force had been guiding The Angel's hand all along, helping to complete the all-important mission.
It had been torture trying to get to sleep, so The Angel decided to go for a little walk. Bones cried out in protest, but The Angel was powered by that hyper feeling which comes to those who have very little sleep. Passing by the Stoolfire's open door, a shiny object glinted in the moonlight, beckoning The Angel to come closer.
The object in question was precariously perched on Otis Stoolfire's lap, threatening to fall off with every sleepy snoring breath he took. It was a gun!
The Angel knew it must be a sign. There was no way the nurses would let that old fart have a firearm. Especially since he was beginning to get a little loony. No, some higher force must have placed it there, waiting for The Angel to come and collect it. A moment later there was movement at the window. Seeing who it was The Angel took off ever so quietly out the backdoor. Leaving the room in darkness as it had been found, and Mildred and Otis snoring away like a couple of buzz saws.
The air was freezing cold outside, but The Angel felt nothing. Nothing but a maniacal thrill and a surge of power as old legs felt young again, when they raced off in pursuit of their prey.
As The Angel thought of those nocturnal adventures, a new smile replaced the old. This time it was genuine. And The Angel began to laugh wickedly.
************************************************************************
Willie Loomis awakened to the delightful aroma of pancakes. He quickly pulled on some baggy borrowed clothes given to him by the nurses, grabbed his crutches and eagerly went out to investigate.
In the kitchen, Willie Applegarth was busy concentrating on flipping a pancake. With a great wide-eyed look of anticipation on his face he wiggled the frying pan around on the stove, waiting for the right moment to come. Biting his lip, he seemed wound tighter than a drum. Then with a quick flip of the wrist, he launched the pancake into the air. It did a quick flip as he maneuvered the pan into position for the landing. Splat! The pancake hit the pan, not quite in the center, but it was enough to make the old man look quit pleased with himself.
"Hey that was some trick!" Willie exclaimed as he found himself a seat at the breakfast table.
A bit embarrassed that he had been caught in this bit of foolishness, but nonetheless quite proud of his achievement the pancake chef looked up and proclaimed, "Guess I haven't lost the magic touch quite yet. But seriously it just takes practice. I'll show you if you like, when you get back on your feet that is."
The last pancake was scooped up and added to the delectable steaming stack. Willie's mouth was watering in anticipation as the old man brought them to the table. "I hope you don't mind, but I added a few chocolate chips into the mix." Then he gave Willie a wink. "Elsie insisted."
Willie could hardly wait to dive in. "Ya know my mother used to make these special for us when I was a kid." He generously poured on the syrup, and then got a far away look as he remembered, "My brother used to poke fun at me because I thought the pancakes had freckles." And he laughed as the childhood memories came flooding back.
The older Willie sprinkled powdered sugar on both their pancakes and they began to feast. "Your mother sounds like quite a special lady."
Willie stabbed a forkful of pancake, but instead of eating it, he paused while a sad look came into his eyes. "I used to think she was the best Mom in the whole world, but she changed a lot after Dad died. Then he paused thoughtfully and then added, "Sometimes I think she died too that day."
"After his car crashed?" The old man asked casually.
Willie's fork now fell hard against the plate." How'd ya know he died in a car crash?"
"Elsie told me, she met your father…well, you know, on the other side." Then his eyes filled with concern as he put his hand on Willie's shoulder and spoke, "And son he has a message for you."
All sorts of emotions came crashing down on Willie at once. He felt anger at the old man for digging into his past, interfering in things that were none of his business. But Applegarth had also gone out of his way to help and Willie was grateful for his kindness. Why was he playing this game? Or was it a game, could this Elsie really have talked to his father's spirit? He had seen stranger things happen at Collinwood. He looked directly into the old man's eyes trying to discover the truth. Then in a small voice he asked, "What did he say?"
"He wants you to forgive her."
Willie didn't know how to respond. He knew he could never forgive his mother. Not after bringing that creep of a stepfather into their lives, tearing the family apart and sending Willie's life into a never-ending tailspin.
Luckily at just that moment there was a knock on the door and the old man popped up to see who it was.
Nurse Bryant came in with a wrapped gift box. "Seems you have a secret admirer." She teased.
Willie had no idea who it could be from. But he knew there was no secret admirer. That was just the nurse's silly female speculation. And for a few frightening minutes the thought occurred to him that it might be a bomb. A sick feeling came to his stomach as he wondered if whoever had pushed him off the ladder and blew up his lodgings, finally had decided to finish the job once and for all.
"Go on and open it son." The older Willie urged warmly.
With shaky hands Willie cautiously removed the ribbons. Taking a knife from the table he gingerly sliced under the tape until all the wrapping paper had been freed and easy slid off. Then tension mounted and he began to sweat as the operation continued.
"Boy, I've never seen anyone get so worked up unwrapping a present before. You must have been a real caution at Christmas time!" Applegarth chuckled, as Willie prepared to lift the lid and be blown to smithereens.
He took a deep breath; shut his eyes in a quick little prayer. When he could wait no more he slowly lifted the lid. "Oh My God!" Willie exclaimed as he saw the yellow round shape in the box, thinking that his worst fears had been confirmed. Then he stared in utter horror as Nurse Bryant reached in the box, afraid she would set off the bomb for sure.
She gave him a sly grin and proclaimed with a giggle, "Now we will find out who your secret admirer is." Nurse Bryant was a bit of a busybody and had no qualms about opening up the card. And took it upon herself to read aloud.
Hello Stranger,
Sorry to hear about your fall and I hope you're feeling better. I know how boring
it must be sitting around recuperating, so I'm sending this funny little radio
to keep you properly entertained.
Your Friend,
Melanie
Willie heaved a great sigh of relief. "That thing's a radio?" It was the weirdest
looking radio he had ever seen. Besides its bizarre plastic round shape, the
radio station numbers were arranged in a circle in a round black display. And
with the other two metallic dials it looked like a yellow "Happy Face" screaming
out the side of its mouth. If it wasn't for the key chain ring coming out its
top Willie might have still thought it was a bomb.
"But who is Melanie?" Nurse Bryant's inquiring mind wanting to know.
Willie laughed, "She ain't no secret admirer, she's just a friend. Kinda ike a sister."
The old man thought it was time to put an end to the inquisition. "You can go now Nurse Bryan. It wouldn't be fair if we keep such a fine and talented lady all to ourselves much longer."
After the nosey nurse left, the old man turned to Willie and said, "It's really none of my business, but perhaps you should know that Elsie says that you have already met your soul mate, but neither of you realize it yet." Scratching his head he continued, "Do you know the importance what I am talking about? Love can make all the difference in a person's life. It's like magic. I know meeting my Elsie literally turned my life around. If you have a chance at finding that one special girl, don't let it pass you by."
"But sometimes there ain't any choice. I liked this girl see. Ah! She was beautiful with such a fiery spirit. I loved her so much I would have done anything for that girl. When she suffered, I suffered. I even saved her life a couple a times. But the funny thing is ya see. She never really sees me. I guess I was never good enough for her. Yeah, she is still in my heart, but Maggie ain't about to give a guy like me the time of day."
The old man took a long sip of his orange juice as he thought. "Maybe Elsie was referring to a girl you just meet? Have you seen anyone lately, someone who maybe made your heart beat a little faster, eh?
Willie hesitated a few minutes, reluctant to discuss
his private life. But for some reason he felt comfortable around the old man,
and found himself telling him all about the mysterious girl he had seen at the
hospital. "It was like a dream. As if she belonged to another world, ya know?
I wished
more than anything, that just for a little while I could be part of that world."
Willie Applegarth smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Son, that's just how I felt the first time I saw Elsie. You see I'm kind of an expert on love at first sight. He sighed a little sigh and said, "Let me tell you all about how Elsie and I first meet." And the old man reminisced as they finished up their breakfast. In the background the antique radio chimed in now and again with a burst of static.
Kallie >^,,^<