This week we have prompts from Prompt Diva West Thornhill: “Damn, it’s cold.” or “Whoever said winter was wonderful was off their fucking rocker.” My alternate prompts were:moonstone, goggles, retort
or "If you don't like it, change it" or write a story that features a new schoolteacher or schoolmarm or professor - just someone involved in education
Dallas in Wonderland continues this week - will Dallas be able to get Doctor Levi off his mind? Only time will tell. I hope you enjoy our stories! Don't forget to check out the other flashers, whose links are at the end of my post.
Dallas in Wonderland 7
Oz patted Dallas’ back with concern, while he worked at not doing a spit take across the table. He succeeded, albeit with effort, drawing in much needed deep breaths, channeling his thoughts. Before he could speak, his nephew had filled in the gap rather nicely.
“I didn’t really think so,” Oz confessed, “but I wasn’t sure. I heard Paris say you like boys. Does that mean you can’t like girls too?”
Dallas cleared his throat, as much to give himself something to do as to buy himself time. “You mean your mom,” he tried to divert Oz’s attention, although he was long used to the fact that the boy called her by her first name. His tactic didn’t work.
“That’s what I said. I like boys too. There’s nothing wrong with that, Uncle Dallas.”
Dallas glanced at his nephew, at the too serious expression on his young face. He seemed so wise for his tender years. He smiled, patting his hand. “You’re right, there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.” He also realized he and Oz were not talking about the same thing at all. Ah, the innocence of youth. Some day he’d understand the nuances involved, the differences in loving men as opposed to loving women. And hopefully he’d do it in a society which wouldn’t condemn him for making choices it considered to be unnatural.
The pizza arrived at that fortuitous moment, and all conversation was tabled as they got down to the business of fine dining. Oz had unusual taste for a young boy; they split a chicken and broccoli pizza with white sauce, with an order of cheesey bread sticks on the side, all washed down by the most excellent root beer. A very satisfactory meal indeed.
Afterward, they walked to the bus stop, waiting for the local which would take them back to the apartment building. Dallas had timed their meal pretty well, so that they’d not be late, despite being waylaid by Brenda and her brother on their way out. He’d repeated his assurance that he’d invite her to his apartment some time soon. He’d used the bus as an excuse not to linger any longer than necessary. It was the truth. This was one of the last buses of the night; he had no desire to walk the distance home, or take on the expense of a cab.
The bus stop was situated on the same well-traveled road as the restaurant, beneath the auspices of a glowing street lamp. Dallas was grateful for the light it shed, as well as the constant stream of people who passed along the sidewalk, many of them students, apparently enjoying the slightly chill evening which had taken over the warmth of the day. It wasn’t bad, not for early October. Not bad at all. It would get far worse before Halloween. Still, he’d insisted that Oz put on his jacket, just to be on the safe side.
“Am I going to school with you tomorrow, Uncle Dallas?” Oz asked. He held two of his musketeer figurines in his hands; they appeared to be involved in some sort of cabal, pressed tightly together. No doubt whispering of intrigue and swordplay, of duels to be fought. For his part, Dallas had been idly studying the faces of the passersby. It wasn’t until Oz’s voice jolted him from his introspection that he realized he’d been searching for one face in particular. Hoping against hope the good doctor would just happen to wander by. He shook his head, attempting to shake the image from his mind as well. The image of Dr. Levi in the tight cheongsam.
“What? Oh yes, probably.” Knowing Paris, he had the feeling her date would become an all-nighter. “Your mom’ll pick you up in time for you to get to school, I’m sure. You can have a bath at my place, just to be safe, though.” Not the first time that had been necessary. Dallas didn’t mind. He just hoped Paris came before class started for either one of them.
“Can I get a dress like that too?”
Oz’s words eerily echoed Dallas’s thoughts; he wondered at his own transparency. “Um, well, we can ask your mother,” he hedged. No telling what she might say; he wouldn’t even hazard a guess. He craned his neck, peering down the street. No sign of the bus. According to his watch, it was already two minutes late.
Damn, that stung. He slapped at the nape of his neck. Something about him was particularly attractive to the insect world today, for reasons he couldn’t fathom. Not like he was using a new aftershave or anything.
“Damn, it’s cold,” a deep voice behind him complained.
Two other would-be passengers had joined them at the bus stop. A rather large man with a florid face, perhaps in his fifties. And a woman of about the same age, who seemed to hover within his shadow.
“Whoever said winter was wonderful was off their fucking rocker,” the complainer continued. As if to prove his point, he stamped his feet and wrapped his arms about his torso.
“Can you please watch your language?” Dallas said, glancing toward Oz as if to reinforce the fact that there was a child in the vicinity.
“Oh go fuck yourself,” the irate man muttered. His wife, assuming that she had the misfortune to claim the title, laid her hand upon his arm, almost timidly. He shook it off. “If you don’t like it, change it.”
“Dear, I’m sorry…” She reached for him again. This time he knocked her back with such force that she fell into a nearby trash can, both hitting the sidewalk with a resounding crash.
Dallas quickly offered the woman a helping hand. “Are you all right?”
She smiled almost apologetically.
“About time!”
Dallas glanced up. The obnoxious man had scurried to the curb. Suddenly and inexplicably he flew up into the air—and down into the path of the approaching vehicle.
His wife screamed.
We'd love to hear from you - comments or suggestions. Anything at all! Until next time, take care! ♥ Julie |
Oh my gosh! What happened there at the end? Cant wait for next Wednesday. Great job Julie!
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