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Writing Attempt: Continuation
His hair was perfectly lit by the fire. Dahlia took her mug
to her lips and gulped in the cold anise tea and took in the scene. She
remembered the first ballet she ever saw, Romeo & Juliet, and let the music
flow over the slow, pained movements of the lit man in front of her. Dahlia
took in another long sip and smiled. She liked to watch.
***
Hero’s tail had been amputated after he was hit by the Chevy
Astro. Which was only hours before his name was changed from Bailey to Hero.
The kids seemed to take to him more after the whole
incident. Jillie was finally happy to seek his affection and Jackie took on the
role of caretaker and friend. Dahlia watched the three of them from the car,
Jackie throwing the ball for Hero and Jill tackling him as his jaws clamped
around the fuzzy green sphere in triumph. It had been three years since Kyle
had left and seeing the ease of play in the girls that afternoon made Dahlia
finally feel like things were moving on.
***
The phone call came around 2am. Jillie, following a long
temper tantrum had just fallen asleep, Jackie had conked out four hours before.
Dahlia weighed her options. If she left now, she could be back home before the girls
woke up, but since Jillie had devoured a Popsicle only 30 minutes before bed
she worried that she would be beckoned much earlier than that.
After the third phone call, Dahlia realized there was no one
coming to watch over the girls. Decision time. Dahlia mentally calculated the
funds for the month. After rent, after groceries, after the car payment and
less the child support…they were in the negative. The call came again. She
hesitated to answer, but did.
“Sweet Caroline to your rescue.” She crooned.
“I’m starting in 15. Tell me you’re coming now.” The voice over
the phone was intriguingly gruff. Dahlia took in a deep breath.
“Postpone for 10 and I’ll leave in 5.”
“You’re toying with me.”
“I’m giving you orders.” Dahlia rifled through her underwear
drawer. “Defy me and the cost goes up.” She lit the blunt she was looking for.
“I’ll give you 5.” The voice waivered.
“You’ll give me 10, and allow for 15.” Dahlia exhaled
directly into the receiver.
“See you then.” The voice hung up.
Dahlia took 3 minutes to check each room. 2 minutes to put
on her Kevlar. 1 minute to get in and start the car and arrived exactly on
time.
***
I apologize.
-Classy Biped
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