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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 16:21:38 GMT
From the ashes of castaway Halloween Story ideas comes a Christmas story from Wolfio Madgenius Productions. Stay tuned, don't touch that dial, and keep one eye open for "Back In Time For Christmas" by DiO’bolic and Wolf. A gift for the playground we both hope ya'll enjoy.
So, from a couple of twisted minds, and without further ado...
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Post by wolf on Dec 7, 2020 16:28:20 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part I Black Friday)
Lydia Banks Johnson and her daughter stood in one of three checkout lines in Macy's Men's Department. Her mind wandered at times like this, and her thoughts always ended up being on Will. But today being Black Friday, her memories of him were constantly present. Still, after 13 years, she missed him terribly and quietly mourned his absence. She was tired, looking up and gazing into the aged florescent lights sighing, when her daughter suddenly buried her forehead in her mother's jacketed shoulder, whispering, "Oh gawd mom! That poor old man just farted, and it smells like sh!t from hell!" Lydia came back from her fatigued fugue state instantly, "Amanda Grace! What kind of language is that!" she whispered back. The 13 year old giggled, "BAD! Like his fart!" Then it hit Lid, as Will used to call her, "Oh my God, you're right. No quarters for the cuss jar today, little girl!" casually Lydia looked over at the checkout line parallel to theirs, the very old, very thin man stood there looking right at her and smiling. His sunken eyes looked watery and bright with something close to glee, his smile widened. He grinned in a awful unsettling way, telling her, "You better not do that, I know what you're thinking. You're married you know, even if he is an a$$hole...." before he could go on, a woman (obviously his daughter), hurriedly walked up and took his arm saying, "Dad! Come over here and sit down, don't be bothering the ladies." she looked over with an exasperated smile at Lydia, "Sorry! Whatever he said just ignore him. He's got dementia." Lydia smiled and said, "It's okay." as the woman steered him to a chair nearby, then took his place in the checkout line. But it wasn't really okay, the old man had given Lydia a sick, weird feeling of disgust. And she hated how he said that, right when she had Will on her mind so much. Amanda's phone rang out and she answered. She smiled big, "It's dad!" Lydia shook off the bad feeling and smiled for her little girl, who was no longer so little and was turning into a very beautiful, highly intelligent teen. She was a sheer joy, to Lydia and to her father, who the child always brought out the best in. The mother knew what was going on his end of the phone conversation, either he was working late or having a late meeting at work that wasn't going to end for a few more hours. She didn't care. It was all fine with her. She and Amanda had all their shopping done, he could do his over the weekend. Amanda laughed and chatted cheerfully. and Lydia went back to surveying the line, wishing it would move faster. The woman in front of her apparently got tired of waiting and decided to abandon the tie and slacks she was holding on the closest clothes rack. Lydia was about to step forward, to take the leaving shopper's place, when she got a good look at the man now in front of her. Lydia was never one to be startled easily, but what she saw before her almost shocked her. This persons hair, height, build, way of standing...everything about him from behind was so familiar. It was an uncanny visage, that instantly brought her thoughts back to her lost William Mason once more. Black Friday. It was the day he had been killed...... Lydia's own personal Black Friday.
Lydia couldn't take her eyes off the back of the man standing just ahead of her. She took in his every move, a small shift from one foot to the other. Slight turns of his head, allowing dissatisfying, stolen glimpses of his profile. She couldn't get a good look at his face. Amanda finished talking to her dad and put her phone away. "Daddy is going to be late, mom. He said he would eat at work and not to worry." Lydia forced her mesmerized eyes to look at her daughter, "That's alright, we'll pick something up on the way home for us." Lydia smiled to her wanly. "Mom? What's wrong?" Lydia had to tear her eyes from the man again to answer her, "Nothing. Why?" Amanda's eyes were filled with concern, and Lydia knew she had to keep it together. "You look so sad." The mother managed her practiced brighter smile then, "Nooo. I'm fine honey, just tired is all." The better smile and what she said satisfied the Amazin' Grace and she felt better, going on about how they could use her room to wrap the Christmas presents in secret.
Amanda went back to people watching and looking over at items in the other nearby departments. Finally the checkout line had moved up enough that familiar looking man was attended to and done. He was leaving now, and Lydia's heart nearly leapt when he turned around. The face, though handsome, wasn't familiar at all. She knew it wouldn't be, but had hoped it would be similar to what she missed and longed to see again. The next thing she noticed was the shirt he wore. It was good old Arnold. Wearing those same shades that Will used to love to wear. The caption under it flatly, and matter of factly, stated "I'll be back." It hit really hard, the feeling she got. Those movies were some of her and Will's favorites. And somehow she just knew, she could just feel, that she was meant to see that.
...and to take note.
The old creep with dementia was still sitting in the courtesy seat not far away. Suddenly he cackled loudly, "I told you! I know what you're thinking. You better stop that....or I'll tell." Lydia sighed thinking 'I don't need this crap today'. Never one to shake or startle easily was Lydia. She moved up to her place in line and put their shopping plunder up on the counter. She turned and looked right at the man, smiled cheerlessly, and ever so discretely flipped him the bird. The old cuss just grinned in an eerily craven fashion as his eyes brightened and rolled back in his head. Lydia didn't blink. But she did feel a rather cold chill rush up her spine that made the back of her neck prickle wildly.
(Part II coming soon.)
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Post by wolf on Dec 7, 2020 16:37:25 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part II Black Friday Evening)
It was after dinner now. Amanda was in her room, working on the usual teenage agenda. Music, friends, computer, phone...all at one time of course. She was happy and doing her thing as her mother was doing hers. Lydia, in the house's den, was coaxing damp logs to fiery life. Richard hadn't brought in more wood like he said, so the wood was damp from humidity and reluctant to be burned. The den was an addition, with only one poorly placed heating vent in the large room. The fireplace wasn't for quaint aesthetics or ambiance, it was a necessity in cold weather. Richard didn't care, he was rarely here, unless he had one of his parties going on, with HIS friends.(Lydia didn't have any of those any more) He seldom used the room, unlike her. She opened the flue as far as it would go, praying all the smoke would go out, if she could get the wetter logs to ignite. No luck with them, but the two small dry logs she had on hand did. She patiently waited for the fire to grow, still very tired, it was very easy to drift off into thought watching the flames dance. And, like always, it was Will's face that came to mind. A memory of him in the light of a fire much like this one before her.
She got up from the floor in front of the hearth, and took her usual seat in the plush arm chair. Curling up under a blanket, she surveyed the lamp lit table beside it. There was the book she was thinking about reading, "Until I find you" by John Irving. She wanted to read. It was always so nice to get lost in a good book. But tonight she had the opposite of writers block. She had readers block. She just couldn't relax and concentrate on reading right now. On the cover of the novel, the title was written on an illustration of a tattoo type broken heart with a ribbon banner across it. Seeing that was somehow another chilling curious reminder of Will. She liked it, in an odd way, but it was still mildly disturbing.
She looked back at the slow growing fire and sighed. When her gaze returned to the cover of the book and she read the title again on the broken heart, at the exact same time she heard something very much like a loud knock. When her eyes shot up, she saw a wooden figurine of a bear had fallen off the mantle and clunked down on the stone hearth of the fireplace. And a soft cold draft swept through the dimly lit den. She remembered buying that wooden bear. It had reminded her of Will, he loved bears. Somehow that knock sound strangely seemed to punctuate what she read, "Until I find you". It was an absurd thought, so she dismissed it and went back to looking at the few items on the side table. There with the book was an unused ashtray, her vodka martini that she'd yet to sip at, and her phone.
She decided to go through her phone's pictures and get rid of what she didn't need and keep her favorites. As she scrolled through them, she came to one the picture's she loved the most. It was of Amanda and herself in the park, a nice woman there had taken it for them. It was a good day, when they had been picnicking. She sat and took in everything about the snap, especially Amazin' Grace's beautiful happy smile. They both really loved that park, and enjoyed many afternoons there. Lydia had looked this picture over many a time, but for some reason this time it looked different to her. She looked closer at everything, the trees, the playground equipment.....then in the near distance behind them, she saw what was different. It was WILL, on a park bench. He was sitting back relaxed, smiling and looking right at the camera, those same shades on! His legs were crossed man style and one arm was thrown back resting on the back of the bench. And, what REALLY just screamed "Will" to her was that, with his free left hand, he was doing that ever familiar and much loved "Will gesture". His arm extended, hand's palm up and fingers splayed in that silent way of saying "What!?". It was a thing he did every time he drove up to pick her up from work so long ago. Lydia couldn't believe her eyes. She turned off the phone and put it down. Took a long drink of her martini, and waited a moment. Then taking up the phone again, opened up the photo's and went to that picture again. It hadn't changed. He was still in the background, plain as day. She pushed away the feelings of confusion and doubt, and just stared unblinkingly until her eyes shed happy tears that required wiping away. That was when the landline phone rang.
Lydia snapped back from her contemplation of the wonderful dream before her eyes. Getting up and going to the house phone she saw Amanda was in the adjoining kitchen getting a piece of leftover Thanksgiving pecan pie. Answering the phone with the typical "hello?", the voice on the other end inquired, "Mrs. Johnson?" Lydia replied "Yes, I am she." The call got Amanda's attention and she looked at her mother, wondering who was calling. But when Lydia's face turned a pale washed out color, the 13 year old abandoned the pie to the countertop, and shakily asked "Mom? What's wrong?" Lydia's eyes met her eyes in answer, and continued to listen, then said to the caller, "We'll be right there!" and hung up the phone. "Mom!?" As calm as she could, she told her, "Amanda, we have to go to the hospital. Your dad has been in a horrible wreck. He's in surgery. We have to go baby." Richard was in danger of dying, so Lydia had to bring Amanda with her. It could be the last time she might get to see the father she loved and adored so much. Amanda's eyes started to well with tears, but she nodded and said, "I'll get our coats, Mom." Lydia let her go, and went to the kitchen cabinet for a pitcher, she filled it as fast as she could and went to the fire place dousing the few lit logs, thanking God it had not gotten far into burning. She closed the glass doors of the fireplace just as Amanda returned with her coat and keys. Lydia couldn't help but admire her young girl and her calm composure. She put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick hug. "They're doing the very best they can, honey. Let's just get there now." Amanda nodded and they left.
It was a very long night. At the hospital they found out another speeding driver had hit Richards car. That driver died instantly. Richard sustained terrible internal injury and a massive concussion. They said he was just inches away from having his skull crushed. Amanda finally fell asleep on the waiting room chairs, but Lydia remained alert. Finally at 5:00 a.m. the surgeon came into the waiting room to speak to her. Richard had survived and was in intensive care. They had stopped the internal bleeding and had managed to save him from peritonitis, though it cost him a substantial length of intestine. They also said he had a hairline fracture of the cranium, and there was a severe amount of swelling of the brain. Now, all they could do was wait and see if he was going to wake up. They were anticipating coma."
As it happened to be, Richard did end up in a coma. Lydia took leave from work and she and Amanda visited the hospital everyday. Amazin' Grace was constant in her cheerful talking to her daddy, loving him so hard and willing him to wake up for her. Lydia did the best she could to get a word in edgewise, but most of the time she ended up just reading to him. Things she knew he would be interested in. Patiently they waited. Hoped and prayed.
And same as ever, Lydia's thoughts were not only on the current tragic events that had recently beset the family, they were also on Will.
(Part III in next post.)
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Post by wolf on Dec 7, 2020 16:50:00 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part III The days after Black Friday)
With Richard lying in a coma, her thoughts went into deep refection upon her life over the last 15 years or so. When her quintessence changed from a young girl enjoying all the experiences that youth and a free wheeling existence provided into becoming a woman focused on a future rather than just the moment. A turn in who she was that started with a man she could see spending the rest of her life with. A love like no other.
But that life was not to be. Because what happened after her unbearable loss was everything but what she envisioned her future to be. And she accepted the consequences of her poor decisions in the aftermath of tragedy for the sake of her fabulous daughter, Amazin' Grace, and the security of a marriage that was anything but a happily ever after tale every girl dreamed of.
The mysterious picture of Will, that first night, had brought back a tidal wave of emotions to Lydia, that shook her to the core, touching her very soul. Memories of her incredible life she had with him, and how they shared that unblemished , so untainted perfect love. They had been eternally committed to, and constantly caring for one another. Never were two hearts more in love. And she thought of how, since Will's death, Richard’s toxic nature had systematically killed her spirit and sucked all the joy out of life for her, leading her to today... being so defeated, isolated and always depressed.
From day one when Will and Lydia met at a Rolling Stones concert there were so many immediate and intense connections. They had become inseparable and could talk about anything and everything together, had the same interests, liked all the same things, and were compatible in all ways. Most importantly they were deeply profoundly in love, and couldn't ever imagine not being that way, or being together. Lydia never believed in love at first sight but what happened with Will had caused her to change her tune completely on the subject. It was the love affair of the century they thought, and nothing could ever tear them apart. Or so they believed.
As for Richard, he was never truly compatible with Lydia. In the beginning he consoled her over the loss of Will and feigned interest in her likes and the things she held close to her heart, but it was simply a ruse in order to get the girl(into bed, but also to keep her. She was a coup, a prize to him). He was a player of the worst sort, pretending to like her love of reading, her fondness for classic Rock’n’Roll, and taking in of the art scene on the south side of the city on a warm summer’s afternoon. But after she became pregnant and they were married, his true colors soon began to emerge and he actively fought her pursuing her loves and interest. It had reached the point that he not only discouraged her, but began to actively detest her passions, and began to control everything she did. He manipulated her into believing her life should be dedicated solely to his needs as breadwinner and their daughter’s care.
Lydia had very few possessions that were of "her and Will", after his death. Only 2, very carefully taken, candid pictures of him. That she had managed to snap, without him knowing. (he hated to have his picture taken) He let her keep those, they really were good, and he knew how she badly wanted them....needed them. He was an extremely handsome man, attractive in so many ways. But he never saw it, and never liked his looks much. There was a movie ticket stub when Will first said “I love you,” a few handwritten notes. Neither she, nor Will, were ever into material things, they never needed much else other than "them". She kept them stored in a shoebox hidden amongst her old shoes, way back in her closet and always lamented of her lack of “treasures.” She came to think of it as her "Box of her best days". The only thing she had that was tangible, that she could hold in her hands against her heart. But it saddened her too because every time she pulled it out she knew it was filled with mementos of her looking to a future without him.
About seven years after she and Richard were married they were doing a bit of housecleaning and were feeding sensitive documents, things that contained social security numbers and the sort, one by one into the hungry stone framed fireplace until all that was left was darkened ash. The fire had reached a fever pitch and was difficult to approach. Richard disappeared for a few minutes and reappeared with Lydia’s box of memories and tossed it into the fire right in front of her, way back where she had no hope of retrieval. Then, stone-faced, he scathingly said "I knew you didn't need or want THOSE things anymore, Liddie." She hated it when he calls her Liddie, but loved it when Will called her his "Lid," and always used to tell her she was his "Mary Jane"
Something within her snapped at that moment. Bast@rd. An instantaneous contempt, and rage immediately filled her. They both had lives before each other. And he knew those memories were part of a past cherished life that helped shape her into the person Richard claimed to love today. It was an unconscionable and heinous act of calculated cruelty that became the catalyst for her antipathy and loathing towards him. Lydia's rage quickly subsided and was replaced with that terrible feeling of defeat, as she haplessly watched her scant few treasures be consumed by the hateful fires Richard had built just for the occasion. Lydia didn't realize it at the time, but he planned this. The rage diminished, but her contempt and disgust for Richard remained, and she couldn't help but feel a very certain kind of hate for him, his petty jealousy of a dead man, and his sneaky, cur-like behavior. He really had turned out to be so damn small of character. "Happy now, 'Dickie'?" she knew he hated to be called that, just as much, and more, than she hated for him to call her 'Liddie'. "Got YOUR WAY yet again. And to hell with everyone else around you, just so long as everything is all about, and revolves around, YOU." She looked back into the fire once more. No there was no way to rescue any of HER treasures. Richard had made damn sure of that. She rose from her knees in front of the fireplace, and looked him in the eye coldly, with a sad anger. Richard just smiled irritatingly, and handed her the empty shoebox.
And also, unlike Will, who never was at a loss for words and captivated her as they conversed for hours on end, Richard wasn't much of a conversationalist. The two of them had gotten to where they couldn't even talk civilly as the years went by. Lydia had come to feel very alone, except for Amanda, and always longing for what she had with her friend, companion, and lover...he was like an extension of herself that she had lost. At least she was able to enjoy the memories during moments of quiet reflection.
That was then, this was now. Richard was in a coma. Lydia and Amanda both were diligent about being at the hospital, by his side, every moment they could. Lydia, doing her best to keep hope alive and to tend to her child's mental well being, managed to convince Amanda to come out with her and buy the Christmas tree. Amanda agreed that a tree should be there at home, and decorated wonderfully for her Dad, because he might be coming back home at any time. They did all of that, and during Amanda's Christmas vacation days, Lydia also managed to get her to take a break here and there and go be with her friends. It was an attempt to try and maintain some semblance of normalcy for her. A very difficult task indeed.
(Part IV coming soon!)
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Post by osnafrank on Dec 7, 2020 17:29:09 GMT
This is great. WUITIIQGUyMrvFxIgkNw
Thankee Wolfio Madgenius Productions for this great Present. c017 
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Post by wolf on Dec 7, 2020 18:26:22 GMT
Danke schon Commander!
Very happy you like it.
It gets better. 😊😉
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 18:50:29 GMT
Thanks Frank. Much appreciated. 
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Post by spideyman on Dec 7, 2020 23:44:11 GMT
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Post by wolf on Dec 7, 2020 23:50:34 GMT
Thank you so much Lady.😊 
Your wish is our Christmas demand and command!
Right diobolic devious Dio?😊
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 23:59:34 GMT
Thank you Spidey. Onward we go.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2020 0:03:05 GMT
Thank you so much Lady.😊 
Your wish is our Christmas demand and command!
Right diobolic devious Dio?😊 |
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Post by wolf on Dec 8, 2020 12:01:33 GMT
Thank you so much Lady.😊
Your wish is our Christmas demand and command!
Right diobolic devious Dio?😊
You know Dio! I'm pretty good at wrangling.....characters. 😄😉
Seriously though, you've been doing outstanding work!
Part IV coming later today people! 😊 |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2020 12:18:36 GMT
Yes, maam. It's been fun... and you've been able to put up with me so far. No small feat. 😊
You know Dio! I'm pretty good at wrangling.....characters. 😄😉
Seriously though, you've been doing outstanding work!
Part IV coming later today people! 😊
Part IV today? Can't wait to see it. 😁😉 |
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Post by wolf on Dec 8, 2020 18:07:46 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part IV : Day 1 of 13)
December 12th. 2020. Lydia woke early that Saturday, even though the alarm was off on the clock radio. She sat up on the side of the bed, readying herself for yet another day at the hospital with Amanda. Sure that there was to be more snow, she took up the tv remote and turned on the morning news to get the weather forecast. She looked at her phone to see if there were any missed calls, and on seeing there were none, she tossed the phone down on the bed. Looking back to her old Bose clock radio, she saw it was 6:00 a.m. and of course she thought of Will. Richard had always hated it, what he didn't know was that Will had bought that clock radio for her on her Birthday one year, and it was still set on their favorite radio station. She abstained from her usual music and the D-Jays morning show for Amanda's sake, the girl was still sleeping and Lydia was notorious for turning the volume up too loud. She never thought so, but everyone else in the house did. She got up and went to shower, her back was turned so she didn't see the flash on her phone go off as she walked to the bathroom.
When she came back into the bedroom, she listened to the news as she dressed for the day. She was standing by the end of her bed when she caught a flash of light out of the corner of her eye. She looked down and saw her phone laying there just within her reach. Immediately she remembered the new picture she had found on her phone on Black Friday night. Her heart began to pound as she picked up the phone and dared to hope. On opening it and going to the pictures, it was there. Another picture of Will. She was stunned in the most delightful way. She had to stop and sit down and simply gaze at it, taking every part of it in. He was in his car, but not driving. He was in the passengers seat, his shades off and in his hand, she could see those gorgeous eyes as the sun shone through the open window onto one side of his face. And he was smiling. "...oh....those eyes and that smile...." she quietly whispered to herself. Then she heard Amanda's bedroom door open and close, "Mom? You up?" Lydia closed the phone quickly and answered her, as she slipped on a deep blue silk blouse and began buttoning it. "Yeah! I'm up. You dressed yet, kid?" Amanda said she was and that she would meet Lydia in the kitchen, and that she wanted to make some toast. Neither of them cared to much for eating breakfast, so buttered toast and coffee was consumed quickly and they were on their way to a day in Richard's hospital room.
Lunch time came around. Hospital cafeteria food is awful and disappointing and unsatisfying in every hospital everywhere. Amanda and Lydia had been taking turns going out to pick up take out and bring it back to the room. Today was Lid's turn. Amanda had gone out mid morning for awhile to get coffee for them, she knew her mom needed fresh air too, so she urged Lydia to get out for lunch earlier today and enjoy stretching her legs. Not far away from the big hospital was the main part of downtown. There were gift shops, boutiques and various eateries well within walking distance. Lydia strolled in the lightly falling snow down the main street, rather contentedly thinking of the new picture she'd received that morning and just had smile to herself. Her Will. Oh, how she still loved him so. She did not know why, or how this was happening. It was really unbelievable, if she ever wanted to try and tell anyone about it. But it was happening and it was a huge consolation to her. So she chose to accept it. She thought about all the things that had been happening to her, starting with that day in Macy's, 'familiar man' in the Terminator shirt and 'old dementia creep', for starters. She walked along the sidewalk passing parking meters, and checking out the storefront displays in the windows, when she came across a used book store she had been wanting to go into for some time. She went in......
It was a lovely warm little store, an antique gem amongst all the shops on the main street. And it smelled wonderful. Nothing beats the smell of books, coffee and fine tobacco. Just inside the door, a cash register sat upon a glass display case filled with boxes of cigars, pipes and pipe tobacco. Behind the counter was an older gentleman sporting John Lennon reading glasses and one of the friendliest smiles Lydia had ever seen. Just seeing it made her already contented smile grow and become warmer itself. The proprietor and Lydia had never seen one another before, but he greeted his new potential customer with a tone like they'd known each other for years, "Coffee behind the counter here, darlin'. Free on your way out, to keep you warm". He was a comfortable man with an endearing, relaxed and suave demeanor. Lydia liked him instantly, felt at home there as if he liked her the same way. "Oh! Thank you! That is very nice." he returned her pleasantry with a wink and, "You're very welcome. Enjoy looking around, hope you find something you'd like to take home with you." Lydia loosened her scarf and unzipped her suede jacket, "I'm sure I will. I love books." The owner nodded and turned to pour himself another cup of coffee from the BUNN carafe, letting Lid get to her browsing.
She had well over an hour before she had to get back to the hospital, so she took her time, checking out the new and used books. There were only 3 other people in store browsing with her. A couple around her own age and a more interesting man. His back was turned to her, as he was reading in one of the books. She had seen him and members of his family around town, but didn't know any of them. She'd heard people call him 'the Grandfather'. They were a Native family, that had been in the area for generations. She and Amanda had always admired him from a far, with his long white hair, and how his long-fringed deer skin jacket swayed with his slow lanky stride. He was more of a traditional man, and very impressive.
Lydia went all about the store taking every thing in, finally she came across a table with a load of marked down books. The first thing to catch her eye was a book sitting right on top of a stack in front. The title, just like the John Irving novel, spoke to her in a quietly attractive and eerie way. It was titled 'Love Never Dies', by F.R. Riley. Again, her thoughts went to Will right off. The next thing she noticed was an old box of jumbled up book marks of all different kinds, a small neatly hand scripted sticker on the front of it said they were all 13 cents each. Sitting on the top of the jumble was a Tarot card, really beautiful art on it, but it was hauntingly beautiful art. She picked it up, and it spoke to her too, but she wasn't sure what to make of it. At first. On the face of it there were 2 skeletons entwined in one another's arms and vines of climbing roses, wrapped in a loving embrace and kissing as best as they 'liplessly' could. The card face read VI and L'Amoureaux, 'the lovers'. Very drawn to it, she picked the card up, staring at it and pondering what it should, or could, mean to her. She instinctively put the book title and this card's image together. That's when a weathered, handsomely formed, long fingered hand reached up and pointed to the picture she was so intently thinking over. It had a deep red brown beautiful skin tone. And a soft rich voice said at the picture, "I saw that. And something else too. Great change is coming to you.".....
Lydia looked up at the tall American Indian man. His lined face had a small calm smile, and it made her feel good and at ease somehow. "Really? How do you know?" she quietly blurted out, surprised at herself for how she was so willingly drawn into conversation with him. "Had a vision. You're thinking that picture is creepy." Lydia looked up from the card at him again and nodded. "Yeah. I kinda do." he replied reassuringly, "It's okay. Think of the Mexican people and their 'Day of the Dead', that's a good thing." Lydia did remember learning about that holiday in High School Spanish classes, and that made her feel better about the picture that she couldn't seem to put down. "Yeah, you're right. Do you follow Tarot?" his smile became a little more, "Nah. Not me. Not my way. But it's other people's way, so it counts. 'Cause there's lots of different ways to read Sign." Lydia didn't know exactly what he was talking about, but it all made a strange sort of sense to her, and she had to ask, "What else did you see?" The man nodded towards the street outside the store's big windows, "I saw that picture this morning, before I came here. Then I saw a White Buffalo, walking down this very street. I saw those with my eyes that are in my mind. Then I saw with the back of my shoulder, a woman standing behind me. But I didn't know what she looked like, just knew she was there. Must have been you. 'Cause here we are." Lydia was fascinated, "What's it all mean? Do you know?" he smile widened, but not in the 'old dementia creep' way, "Sure. Like I said great change is coming to you, and plenty too. When a White buffalo is born, it is big medicine and good. Mean's change is comin'. You must be the woman I saw with my shoulder. It'll be alright. Whatever it is. Just stay strong, woman." Lydia listened carefully and felt it was right to do so. Then the man said to her, "I am Grandfather, that is what the people here call me. What are you called, woman?" Lydia found herself answering automatically again, without considering her words before opening her mouth, "They call me Lydia."
Grandfather nodded in a very approving happy way, "Lydia. Pretty name. Pretty Woman. You have a good day Lydia, see you around." Lydia liked his easy way of speaking and moving and felt a trust in him, before he turned and walked up to get his warming free coffee, she replied, "Thank you Grandfather, see you around." he waved over his shoulder to her and got his coffee telling the proprietor, "See you 'round too, Erastus." and Lennon glasses Erastus told him chidingly, "Okay, but BUY something tomorrow, will you!?" Grandfather laughed, "Why!? I can come read when ever I want to, and the coffee's good and free!" Erastus laughed too at his old friend's honesty, waved him out the front door and checked Lydia out on the old register. She bought the Tarot card and the book both, and said she would come back again with her daughter, and that she really enjoyed the store and all its inventory very much. He gave her back more change than she was due and her cup of coffee to go, "The bookmark is on me, darlin'. You come back and see me." Lydia happily collected the coffee, brown paper bag with book and card in it and took her change. "Yes, I most certainly will, sir. Thank you and Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah" he smiled and replied. Lydia smiled brighter, " and Happy Hanukkah!" she left, sipping extremely good hot coffee as she went back down the main street in the lightly falling snow. She would remember to tell Amanda to say Happy Hanukkah as well as Merry Christmas, when she got to meet him. She watched the peaceful snowfall around her, and tried to imagine what it would be like to see a White Buffalo majestically strolling down that street. What a sight that would be. She picked up a lunch of Italian grinders that she and Amanda hadn't had in a long time. Went back to the hospital room, and enjoyed telling Amazin' Grace and Richard about the book store and the nice people she met there. But she kept the White Buffalo to herself. That was a new treasure she would keep secret.
(Part V coming soon!)
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Post by osnafrank on Dec 8, 2020 18:27:28 GMT
It's an engrossing story.
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Post by Dizzy on Dec 8, 2020 20:05:55 GMT
Oh Wow You Guys Owned it! great Story! I Wish to Save it Some How. I Like How You Guys Say Wolfio Madgenius Productions too. This Story Very Creative! WUITIIQGUyMrvFxIgkNw
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Post by wolf on Dec 8, 2020 21:56:10 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2020 22:04:16 GMT
Oh Wow You Guys Owned it! great Story! I Wish to Save it Some How. I Like How You Guys Say Wolfio Madgenius Productions too. This Story Very Creative!  |
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Post by wolf on Dec 10, 2020 17:38:48 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part V: Day 2 of 13)
Sunday morning. Lydia woke earlier again, 7:00 a.m. this time. And again, too early for Amanda to be up yet, so the radio was left off and the news was put on the tv. Some tolerable morning show was in process, so she left the channel where it was. She was still sitting up on the side of the bed and her first real thought in her coffee jonesing brain was to look in her phone. She was really hoping for another picture. She picked the phone up from the night stand, steeling herself up to open it. She was afraid of disappointment. Really afraid nothing new would be there. But she decided to go ahead and do it. On opening it, her apprehensions had been correct. No picture, and her heart fell a little. For a moment she felt like Moses, when he got impatient and tapped that rock twice with his staff. She tossed the device down on the bed just like she did Saturday morning. Looking down she noticed her shoes had gotten partially kicked under the bed. She bent over to pull them out to their proper place, and when she did the flash on her phone's camera went off brilliantly. Her torso shot upright again and she stared at the phone. Excited, her hope nearly went through the roof and she grabbed it, opening the photos as quickly as she could.
Reprieve! She got to see the Promised Land afterall! There it was, another picture of her ever handsome, loving Will. Lydia's smile was huge and her heart had a most sweet ache in it at seeing him, it felt good and right. She made up her mind right then and there she would not be impatient again, and would wait for the flashes to happen. This picture was of a very cherished memory, a sight she had seen more than a few times. And she was so happy to see, that in all of these photo's of Will, her memory of what he looked like had not faded one bit over the years.
The photo was of Will with his strong back to the camera, no shirt on, just jeans and work boots. He was in front of the BBQ grill outside, and it was flaming. His left arm was raised drinking a beer, and it was the epitome of the way he always used to stand in front of the grill. Right leg iron rod straight, his weight on it, and the other with the knee bent and relaxed. He looked like Michelangelo's David from behind whenever he did that. But with clothes on of course.
Lydia sat for quite awhile admiring that picture, and the others she'd received too. They were gifts of an extraordinary kind. Off the top of her head she murmured, ''what delicious, beautiful intrigue''. Though she was still so distraught and sad over Richard, Lydia simply couldn't help actually beginning to feel better and more alive than she had in years.......Still she contemplated what was going on, regarding the various odd, occurrences that had happened so far. Lydia was surprised again, at how fast she abandoned trying to rationalize what it all was and meant. '…I'm riding this metaphysical roller coaster till it stops', she thought, feeling practically giddy. She had already accepted that not everything in the universe could be explained away by science. She had begun to do that long ago, when what she had with William Mason had changed her mind so completely about 'love at first sight'. A Christmas miracle, perhaps? Lydia was going with that for now. She made up her mind confidently to not look a gift horse in the mouth. But she did realize that there were aspects of the situation that did require some consideration and reasoning out. Like 'old dementia creep' and what he had said to her. Vile old thing HE was, and how at first look she was worried about the artwork on the Tarot card she found in the book store. Until Grandfather came along and helped her to look more deeply past the surface and first initial feelings she had. She was grateful for his intercession in that moment. It had made her come to the conclusion that this was going to require her to use her best discernment. And one thing she had clearly discerned, was she must keep her mind set on being positive and expecting the best, and never the worst. No, this was the Holidays, and everything was going to be GOOD, by God. There was always a brighter side. And Lydia had been living in a very dark, very sad side for far too long. She counted the few blessings she and Amazin' Grace had during this trying time, thanking God for every one of them, and prayed for more to come. One thing for sure was that Richard was still alive. He had come so close to dying. No matter what Richard had done or what she felt about him now, she had never wished or wanted anything bad like this to happen to him. He was horrible at times, but not always, and NEVER with his (their) Amazin' Grace. It was he, who had nicknamed their little girl that. When she was just a baby. And Lydia always loved that name on her. But all that wasn't to say he and Lydia didn't have unfinished business. It was Christmas, yet Thanksgiving still wasn't over. The other two things she was so grateful for was that Amanda was weathering this terrible emotional storm as well as she was. The gentle good young girl really had a great strength within her, that was obvious now, and the child was actively drawing on it. Lydia was proud of her, and knew Richard would be too. And of course the other thing was for Will. She was so grateful she was seeing those pictures out of no where, and feeling him around, as vague as that feeling was, there was no doubt that it was there.
Lid was about to get up and go shower, knowing it was about time to get the day started and that Amanda would be waking soon. She closed up the phone, and her mind came back to the surroundings of the bedroom and she tuned her ears to what was on the tv. That's when something new happened. One of the hosts of the morning show that was on had been rambling about their next guest, but when the interviewee didn't show on cue, another host said something about moving on. Very loudly the first host said, "He's coming!...." Lydia was listening but not too closely, but that statement did register though. Especially when at the very same time a 'knock like sound' thunked in the corner of the ceiling over the tv. There was no mistaking it this time! This was no mere coincidence. It was just like the wooden bear clunking down on the stone hearth. The knock accentuated the tv voice's exclamation And Lydia felt a sweet chill of thrill when she heard it. The ' work of the supernatural world’s undercurrent' she thought, what a wondrous thing it was becoming to her now. Yes, Lydia had decided it was high time to believe not only in miracles, but Christmas and Hanukkah miracles. She smiled thinking about Erastus and Grandfather, and hoped Amazin' Grace would get to meet them soon, and they her. She was readier than ever to go on with the day now, and went to her shower.
After dressing she met Amanda in the kitchen and had toasted English muffins and coffee with her. Lydia washed their cups and plate as Amanda got their coats, keys and purses and they were on their way.
Today was Amanda's turn to go out for lunch. And she told her mom that she might stop by the bookstore while she was out.
When she was alone with Richard, Lydia stopped reading to gather her thoughts of all that was happening with the two men that were occupying her every thought at moment. She could do nothing for Richard right now except be here for him, read, and talk to him in hopes something deep inside his consciousness perceives in some way what she and Amanda were laying down. Doing all they could to coax him back and get him to wake up.
She thought about Will, and what the Grandfather had told her the day before.
“Great change is coming to you, and plenty too." 'What kind of change is coming' she wondered. Although she embraces and welcomes the signs, Will’s unexpected digital presence, and the other mysterious events obviously happening, her mind still sought some answers. She wondered why this was all happening right NOW. And had to admit to herself she was seeing, and feeling, a change in herself. Her life with Richard has been a progression of dignity lost. She had been slowly dying from the pain of deceit and apathy by the hands of the man who claimed to love her, by trickery, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and lost.
“Perhaps that’s part of what it's about, a mercy." A means for her to attain some sort of closure and to find herself again. To live and not only exist and endure. That made some sense, and would make her an even better mother to Amazin' Grace. Events geared to help her rise from this deep personal abyss, one where she has been stagnant and had allowed herself to be strangled for the sake of her daughter, and because she had given up on a better personal life for herself. And to break free from the circumstances of the oppression she felt, to once again allow herself to reach for the stars and get back to her full potential. After so many years Lydia felt empowered once more, and like she could do anything at times.
Amanda Grace came back with their lunch and big brown bag with a few books. One was a compendium of Wendi and Richard Pini's "Elf Quest". Lydia was overjoyed that Amanda had found that, she had read it herself when she was her age, and had loved all the art and the intricate story line. They had a good time poring over the volume's pages and talking about it. They spoke loudly and clearly, so Richard could hear every word. Lydia gave none of the story away, but pointed out characters, telling Amanda who they were and giving some background on them. Another renewed interest for Lydia, and she got to share it with her daughter. Poor Richard, he had to listen to what he would have described as 'crap and drivel' to Lydia, and he couldn't say anything that would discourage or squash the enthusiasm. Lid was so glad she had finally gone into that store. She put off doing that for way too long. Amanda also told her about meeting Erastus and how much she liked the nice man. But the Grandfather hadn't been in the store at the time.
They stayed at the hospital that day until visiting hours were over. When they got home, they took all the presents out from Amanda's room and brought them into the den. The rest of the night was spent wrapping them up ever so attractively with satiny cloth ribbons and placing carefully under the tree.
(Part VI coming soon!)
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Post by wolf on Dec 14, 2020 0:52:25 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part VI: Day 3 of 13)
Monday morning. A weekday, so the clock's alarm was set for 6:00 a.m. and she did let the music play THIS morning, but turned the volume down for awhile for Amanda's benefit. Lydia and Amanda would be getting up just like they would if they were going to school and work. It was a practice they continued all year round, even in the summer months and other vacation times like now. Though there were times when they would sleep in on occasion. Saturday's light snowing had gradually gotten heavier. Tonight it was supposed to be almost blizzard like conditions. She threw back the covers and sat up. The first thing she noticed was that the room was much colder than it should have been. The heater wasn't working, and should have been, as cold as the room felt. "Oh no...don't tell me there's something wrong with the heating system now!? We don't need this!" she said shaking her head, and thinking of Amanda. She looked over at her phone and remembered the promise she made and would remain patient. She turned the radio up just a notch and sang along with a favorite old song of hers and Will's. The Zombies were asking her who her daddy was, and if he had shown her everything she needed to know to live. (no, Richard had never done that for her, and never wanted to) She would check the thermostat after she was dressed and out of her bedroom, and see if she could get the heater to kick on. She picked up her phone and headed for a hot shower to warm up.
Lydia put the phone down on the vanity countertop and turned on the hot water to get it rolling. She could still hear the radio playing in the next room and sang along, just as she was finishing up she glimpsed a flash of light from the phone through the sheer shower curtain. Her mood immediately brightened and she sang louder and with more passion, anticipating what she was to find on opening up the photos. Back in her bedroom and dried off she checked the phone and found another picture of Will, this one looked to be taken in the Fall. The leaves of the trees all reds, yellows and oranges and he was bent over under the hood of his '72 Cutlass, in a Levi's blue jean trucker's jacket, she bought for him. And of course he was as handsome as ever. "How we loved that car" she said with a massive sadness, it had been totaled in the wreck that killed her Will.
The warmth the hot shower had given her was fading now, and the bedroom's ice cold air began to seep into her body making her shiver. She went to her closet still wrapped in the bath towel and picked out what she wanted to wear that day. That was when she felt his first touch.
Will had a way of coming up behind her and rubbing the outer sides of her arms, especially when she was cold like right now. From shoulders down to her elbows and back up again, that was how he did it. Lydia felt a faint phantom pressure on her arms that way. Almost like a tingling that warmed and thrilled her. It was barely there, that sensation, but it was unmistakable. She softly sighed, "Oh! Will." and on saying that a very small soft click like tap sounded, seemingly from a nearby wall. A 'house noise', but she knew it was much more than only that. Another gift. Lydia almost cried, she was so happy and astounded at the happening. The light ethereal touch dissipated but she still felt warmed in the cold room. She dressed, and kept on with her singing. When she was ready for the day, she reluctantly turned off her beloved radio and went out into the hall. There was Amanda coming out of her room wrapped up tight in an thick sweater and rubbing her hands together frantically. "It's so cold! Something wrong with the heat Mom?" Lydia sighed, "Yeah, I think so kid. Let's get downstairs and check the thermostat. It's going to be a really cold day harsh day today, I want you to eat more than toast this morning." and Amanda asked enthusiastically, "Your scrambled eggs! Please Mom?" Lydia laughed "Yeah. That'll be good, need to get some protein into still growing you."
In the hall leading to the kitchen Lydia took a look at the aged Thermostat. It was set at 78 degrees, she knew it would be, she remembered setting it the night before, right after she'd set the coffee maker up before bed the night before. The thermometer on it read 40 degrees, and when she turned it off and back on, nothing. The heat wasn't kicking in. Going into the kitchen she saw Amanda was getting everything out of the fridge for her to cook some breakfast. "Getting it all ready, mom. Tell me what you want me to do to help." Lydia poured a cup of coffee for herself, "I want you to stay warm and watch. You can get out my saucepan and the other things for me, while I call the A/C guys, Okay?" Amanda went for one of the cupboards doing as her mother asked, as Lydia went through the directory on the landline phone. As she scrolled through the handset she told the girl, "Amanda, I think I should stay here and wait for the tech. Bad weather is coming in this evening and we need to get them out here to fix this before the roads get bad. Then we can get to the hospital." Amanda didn't say anything but she did not like like that plan. She readied up the food and utensils on the counter beside the stove for her mother and quietly went out the front door while Lid was on the phone.
Fortunately, Lydia got a hold of the A/C company the family had been using for about a 100 years. They were open today and up and running. The receptionist/dispatcher knew Lydia as a very good customer and told her a tech would out asap, that there weren't any other calls that morning but hers. "Mrs. Johnson, good news! I have a tech you know and he will be there in less than half an hour." That was a relief to Lid, "That is great Nora! I sure do appreciate it. I know the bad roads are coming this evening. You take care on your way home, and Merry Christmas." Nora the dispatcher returned, "Thank you! And Merry Christmas to you as well." Lydia looked around for Amanda, she was no where to be seen, so the mother figured she was in her room and began to fix breakfast for her, and being a thoughtful person, she threw in an extra 3 eggs to beat together, in case the tech might like a hot bite to eat before he left. She filled her and Amanda's big mugs with more coffee and put another pot on to brew also. A few minutes later she heard the front door open and close, and Amanda reentered the kitchen, again rubbing her hands together in that frantic way. "Brrrrr! I want to go to the Bahamas!" Lydia looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Where were you little girl!? What you were doing out side?" The girl went to the counter, got her hot drink and went to sit at the kitchen bar while checking something on her phone. "Just a sec, mom. I'll tell you." She was looking at the local bus lines routes on their website. "Mom! I have an idea! Just listen, please." Lydia continued with the beaten eggs, pouring them into the warm saucepan with grated cheese and began gently stirring. "Okay....I'm listening." With that the doorbell rang, it had only been about 10 minutes but the HVAC company tech was already there. "I'll get it", said Amanda, "Thanks, honey. It's the workman, they said we know him so go ahead and bring him in here to the kitchen."
Amanda returned to the kitchen with the technician in tow and Lydia looked up from the pan she was stirring, "Michael! Hey, it's good to see you again!" yeah she knew this guy, he had done almost all of the yearly maintenance on their HVAC system. "Hey, Lydia. Good to see you too, cold enough for ya?" She laughed, "You know it is! Hope you can take care of this dilemma today. I'm making some eggs, want something to eat? And some coffee?" Michael looked over at her cooking, "Man, if I hadn't eaten those stale donuts on the way here, I sure would. Not hungry, sorry. But I'd love a cup of that good smellin' coffee, ma'am." Amanda went to the coffee maker, "I'll get it mom." and poured the man a big mugful of his own. "Thank you both, I'll leave that here for now to cool off, while I go do some troubleshooting on the unit in the attic. I know the way, you just keep on with your breakfast and I'll be back in a minute." he said, heading back down the hall, giving Lydia the opportunity to find out what Amazin' Grace's idea was, and what she'd been doing outside earlier. "Good deal Michael!" she called after him "....now then, what's this idea of yours little girl?" Amanda put her phone down and took up the fork from the plate of scrambled eggs her mom put in front of her, "Oooo! Thank you mama!" she said digging right in. Lydia had to smile nostalgically, it wasn't that often she got to be called 'Mama' any more. Her child's favorite hot breakfast was the cause, Lydia would make sure to remember that, as the 13 year old, turned 14 and 15 and onward. "Mom!...." aaaand it was gone , back to plain ol' mom, Lid had to chuckle silently to herself at that as she listened attentively, "......I went down the street to the bus stop! Got the number of the bus that stops there, and looked up its schedule and route! It goes straight to down town and there is a stop right n front of Mr. Erastus' bookstore! I want to take the bus! I'll go to the hospital when I get done eating, and you can come later when you're done here. Please?" Lydia listened, as she leaned over the kitchen bar she was thinking on it, and also noticed Michael had come back from the attic and was checking out the thermostat. " Hmmmm.....maybe. We'll see. Let's find out what it's going to take to get the heat going again. "But Mom! I can go catch the bus in 15 minutes and be in down town in less than an hour! Pleaaaaassse, let me do it!?" That's when Michael, with the thermostat off the wall and now in his hand examining it, broke into the conversation, "Ladies! I tell you what, I got a solution that'll take out two birds and burn a bush for us!" Lydia thought of her Moses thing again when he said that, and smiled thinking about her new gift of Will she'd gotten earlier that morning too. Michael went on to say, "The problem here is the thermostat, it needs to be replaced. And I don't have one on the truck that's compatible with your brand heating unit. Sooooo, I'm gonna have to go back to the shop and pick one up, then come back here. I'll be going through down town and I can drop Amanda here off on my way to the barn. How does that work for you?" Amanda got excited and said, "Oh yes please! Mom, that's okay isn't it!? You can come to the hospital later after it's all done!" Michael nodded, picking up his coffee from the counter and drinking before saying, "It's no problem, Lydia. I can drop her off, be back here and...." he took another drink of the hot coffee,"...... have you fixed up in no time." When he said that last thing, '....have you fixed up in no time' Lydia heard a clang come from the stainless steel sink behind her, a cup must have slid of a dish or something there. Just another 'house noise' that didn't get Michael's or Amanda's attention, but it did get Lydia's. She answered them both with "That sounds great. And we appreciate it Michael, very much. Amanda get your plate and cup in the sink, you can go and I'll meet you there when everything is finished here, hon." That pleased Amanda immensely, and she took her cleaned plate to the sink. When she went to go get her coat and things, Michael told her mother, "I heard about Richard, Lydia. I'm so sorry. So is my wife." Lydia mustered a smile and patted his arm, "Thanks Mike, and tell Marie thanks too. We're hanging there pretty good." Amanda came back from her room, and Lydia fixed them both traveling cups filled with hot coffee to take with them.
Amanda was delivered safely to Down town, and Michael returned with the new thermostat and installed it. After checking the unit in the attic one more time, the heat was running and warming the house again. To be on the safe side of everything, he waited a half an hour to make sure all was working as should before he left and Lydia went on to the hospital. The rest of the day progressed in their new normal. Amazin' Grace and Lid, left when visiting hours were over. And another peaceful dinner and evening was spent in front of the fire in the den, reading "Elf Quest" together out loud, each of them reading different characters in what they imagined their voices to be like.....and all the while Lydia was listening to the occasional subtle and comforting house noises that followed along with their story.
(Part VII coming soon!)
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