On Sundays Dave and Barbara would bring the white suit; slung casually over Dave's arm, into the room they had said was his. "Hey, buddy. It is time to get ready for church." Dave would smile down at him.
And on Sundays, Barbara would always smile, too. "We can get orange pop, on the way back. If you keep your suit clean."
And Tommy would wait until they left the room they had said was his, to throw the clothing over his head and onto himself. Then he would look at himself in the mirror.
And on Sundays, Tommy knew he had never went to his Grandmother's church dressed like this.
When Tommy was ready, and when Barbara had scrubbed his face clean one last time, they would go through a door in the kitchen, to the garage.
They would climb into the blue convertible and the top would be down.
It would still smell of fresh oils and lemon.
Because on Saturdays, Tommy and David would scrub the car clean.
Tommy had never heard someone talk of summer like Barbara talked of summer. She kept saying the days were dogs. This had somehow tied into the reason why everyone had to stay indoors; with the air-conditioning.
Tommy did not care too much if he had to stay in Barbara and Dave's house, all of the time. There was a television in the room they had said was his. A colour television.
Dave and Barbara were nice people.
They were nice to Tommy.
Tommy recieved everything he asked for. All he had to do was stomp his foot. Only one footfall for Barbara, taking two for Dave.
There had only been one thing Barbara had been firm on.
On this Sunday, on the way to church, Tommy had asked for a dog.
Barbara had turned in her sat, she said, "We would have to walk him. And it is only fit for dogs to be out in that heat. End of discussion."
And Tommy knew she meant it because Barbara turned to Dave and said to him, "Why can't we put up the top?"
"Be quiet, Barbara, or I will buy the kid a dog. End of discussion," Dave replied, to her.
And Barbara must have knew Dave meant it because she turned quiet, too.
So Tommy wondered, instead of asked, why humans shouldn't be outside in the summer.
And on Sundays, Barbara would always smile, too. "We can get orange pop, on the way back. If you keep your suit clean."
And Tommy would wait until they left the room they had said was his, to throw the clothing over his head and onto himself. Then he would look at himself in the mirror.
And on Sundays, Tommy knew he had never went to his Grandmother's church dressed like this.
When Tommy was ready, and when Barbara had scrubbed his face clean one last time, they would go through a door in the kitchen, to the garage.
They would climb into the blue convertible and the top would be down.
It would still smell of fresh oils and lemon.
Because on Saturdays, Tommy and David would scrub the car clean.
Tommy had never heard someone talk of summer like Barbara talked of summer. She kept saying the days were dogs. This had somehow tied into the reason why everyone had to stay indoors; with the air-conditioning.
Tommy did not care too much if he had to stay in Barbara and Dave's house, all of the time. There was a television in the room they had said was his. A colour television.
Dave and Barbara were nice people.
They were nice to Tommy.
Tommy recieved everything he asked for. All he had to do was stomp his foot. Only one footfall for Barbara, taking two for Dave.
There had only been one thing Barbara had been firm on.
On this Sunday, on the way to church, Tommy had asked for a dog.
Barbara had turned in her sat, she said, "We would have to walk him. And it is only fit for dogs to be out in that heat. End of discussion."
And Tommy knew she meant it because Barbara turned to Dave and said to him, "Why can't we put up the top?"
"Be quiet, Barbara, or I will buy the kid a dog. End of discussion," Dave replied, to her.
And Barbara must have knew Dave meant it because she turned quiet, too.
So Tommy wondered, instead of asked, why humans shouldn't be outside in the summer.
Comments
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All the best..Rob
That is not even funny.
Q
I hope you find something nice! through the same (company?)
Closer to school?
get off the Queen's blog you buttheads.
Hi Q. Love the Tommy installment, as always.
my keyboARD IS BROKEN and when i press on the A BUTTON Caps lock comes on or off... i kind of like it tho... ttyl!
Just other things.
I will be back here soon.
Q
Yes, the smappers are on the prowl everywhere :) Glad to hear that your pen still scrolls across blank pages (or your fingers dance atop the keyboard?).
~dee
Miss ya.
Q