DYNASTY OF DREAMS: Tall Tales
23:02 Nov 02 2011
Times Read: 486
Book Two
CHAPTER ONE
“Get a move on Patsy. The Shadow is about to start.”
“Quit being a killjoy Darla. Gotta dry the dishes before I do anything else. My pop will come unglued if I don't finish.”
“I’ll help you in a minute. Need to check on Eddie first.”
"That boyfriend of yours is dreamy, but you let him boss you around."
"What can I say? I'm stuck on the guy.”
Darla left the room going into the den as she promised. Eddie sat turning the dial on the radio trying to find the station. She snuggled up next to him.
"Eddie, I'm gonna go help Patsy. Be back in a jiff."
He said nothing oblivious to her ministrations intent on finding his show.
The kitchen door wouldn’t budge. Darla pushed harder but as she did she heard Patsy start screaming.
“What’s wrong with that dang door? Are you all right?”
“I guess it needs to be oiled. A stranger peeped through the window and startled me.”
"Try to calm down. I'm going to prove you got spooked over nothing."
Darla unlocked the backdoor and the yard appeared empty.
“Nobody's to be seen Patsy.”
“A man stood outside staring at me. I spotted him as you finally came into the kitchen.”
“What’d he look like?”
“I barely got a glimpse before I ducked into the corner. He had reddish hair I think. It’s too dark out back.”
The door opened and Alex walked in from the living room. "Hey, what’s going on in here? I knocked over and over and nobody answered.”
“Did anyone come out the side gate while you waited on the porch?
“No, why are you crouching by the cabinet Patsy?” Alex sensed crunching under his feet. Broken dishes lay strewn around the kitchen.
"You didn’t peek inside to check if anyone was here?"
“Told you already I was at the front door. Tell me what happened.”
“I'm not sure Alex. Someone frightened Patsy. They lurked near the window above the sink. A man she didn't recognize and if not you, I’m scared.”
“You saw him Darla?”
“Not exactly Alex. Patsy screamed and I ran in here once I could open the door. I found her cowering in the corner and shards of china all over the floor.”
“Please quit talking like I’m invisible.”
“Sorry Patsy but he asked.”
"Sounds screwy to me Darla."
"Enough Alex. We need to clean up the mess and then listen to what’s left of the show." Darla knew Alex would try to weasel out of helping them but not this time.
“I’ll go shoot the breeze with Eddie while you two finish.
“Stay here with us Alex.”
Are we still going to the soda shop Patsy?”
“No, remember they’re hosting a sock hop at the rink after the skate? Tonight is the party at Roller Hippodrome downtown.
“I’m such a dope. I forgot about the dance. Besides I’m scheduled to be at the Lux by 7:00.”
"Gosh, too bad Alex."
"Sorry Darla, but work is more important to me than play. Actually money is my motivation. I can go skating another time."
"You're so slap-happy Alex. You never remember anything these days."
The girls finished the dishes and sauntered into the room with Alex tagging along. The radio show was half over. Eddie barely acknowledged them tip-toe inside.
“When did you guys get here?”
“What are you saying? You nodded as we sat down?” Patsy viewed Eddie as an egotistical brat but she put up with him for Darla’s sake.
“No, you thought I did.”
“Don’t be a creep Eddie. Go home and we’ll pick you up at 6:30.”
“Why do you have to treat me like a jerk Darla?”
“The situation isn’t about you that’s why.”
Eddie walked out of the room without another word and left. He’d sulk she knew but it was good for him to be told he wasn’t the center of everything.
Roller Hippodrome was a huge roller rink that opened two months prior to graduation. Most kids finished high school since the fighting ended. Everyone wondered if the 50s would improve life. No one wanted to go through anymore wars. Hope became the mainstay given what the majority had experienced. Rationing had come to an end but still another six months before they entered a new decade. One of change most politicians were saying. A renewal of better times.
Patsy pulled into the parking lot behind the rink. They were relieved when they realized admission was only $2.00. The end of school had created a few expenses. Patsy would start her job with Alex next week. Until her first paycheck, she had to be conservative with her spending. When she turned eighteen the month before, her Dad had a talk with her about assuming incidental expenses and clothing costs.
They entered the building and walked up to the cashier. Lucky for them they arrived at the opportune moment. Otherwise they would have been at the end of a very long line.
“Patsy you were right,” said Darla. “The place is packed and none of the usual organ music either.”
“Nightlife in downtown Kansas City is always jumpin’. It’s a hotspot in Missouri. If you live close enough this is where you to go for fun.”
“Gee, like we didn’t already know this Patsy. Don’t give us lectures. Come on, Jeanie just walked in and Pete finally showed up.”
“Sorry Eddie, that wasn’t my intention. Idle thoughts floating around in my head. I’m antsy right now”
“Forget it.”
“What’s gotten you into such a tizzy tonight?” Darla worried the incident at Patsy’s house was nothing more than a delusion.
“Keep your eyes on the Safety skating in the center?”
“Why should I stare at someone I’ve never met?”
“That’s him Darla.”
“Him? What are you talking about?”
“He’s the person who stared at me.”
“OK, but you might want to rethink this idea.”
“And the reason?”
“The guy standing by the railing. I can’t believe this. Twins Patsy. Can you tell them apart?”
“This is giving me the heebie-jeebies. I have no idea which one.”
“Could you girls give us the low down on what you’re going ape over?” Eddie was getting impatient and wanted to skate.
“Yeah we want the scoop too,” chimed in Jeanie.”
“A peeper snuck into my backyard earlier tonight. He looked at me while I washed the dishes. Poof, he disappeared.”
“Let me get this straight. You think one of these guys eyed you through your kitchen window?”
“Yes Pete, that’s exactly what I think.”
“At least they were only looking. You can’t prove a thing because there are two of them. They would alibi for each other. Maybe you’re mistaken.”
“You’re probably right. I’d like to change the subject now and skate.”
They merged into the throng of people. Patsy couldn’t help staring at the twins. The situation boggled her mind. She was in a fog and collided with another skater.
“Watch where you’re going.” The girl got up giving her an icy stare and skated off.
Patsy heard a male voice say, “I’ll help you to your feet.” She scrambled to get up and realized one of her suspects was standing next to her.
“Thank you. I can manage on my own.” Despite what she thought, he held out his hand and she let him help her up.
“Not an experienced skater?”
“Somewhat. Sorry I got distracted it’s been a long time.”
“You might be wise to pay attention to you’re skating with this crowd. The name’s Darcy. Should you need help wave for me or my brother Dillon by the snack bar. We’re the safety personnel tonight.”
“Thanks again. I think I’ll sit down for a while.”
Darla rushed up to Patsy as she returned to a bench along the railing. “What did he say?”
“Nothing much. He told me to be careful where I’m skating. I didn’t sense he’d ever seen me before.”
“There you go mistaken identity.”
“The reason I remember him is because of his hair color. Not a common shade of red.”
“I noticed the similarity Patsy, your whole family has brunette hair and darker skin.”
Her other friends listened not knowing what to think. They realized Patsy had been under a lot of stress since her mother’s death.
“They tower over you. You’re pretty tall for a girl. What’s your height?”
Patsy knew this would be the next question but Pete could have reserved his questioning to another time.
“I’m six foot exactly. That’s why I keep getting asked if I want to model, as cliché as that might seem. They always go on about this long auburn mop of mine, the green eyes and you know the rest. I’m tired of being questioned even by strangers.”
“Most girls have their hair shorter these days, not you.”
“Yeah Darla, but I wear a ponytail almost everyday. I like the length, it suits me.”
“Can we skate now? I’m not here to talk about hair or conspiracies. Don’t be a sad sack Patsy.”
“Eddie, knock it off.”
“The whole story is a bore and I’m sick of hearing her imaginings Darla.”
“All right let’s get back on the floor.” Patsy skated away leaving her friends worried.”
“She’s about to blow a fuse. I’m glad she stopped flapping her lips.”
“Shut up Eddie.”
“Come on baby don’t flip your wig over this. You’re not blind. She’s acting wacky.”
“Remember Patsy’s mom died six months ago. What do you expect?”
“OK, let’s skate.” Eddie grabbed Darla’s hand and pulled her out with the skaters. Jeanie and Pete looked at each other, shrugged and followed them. Patsy joined in and they changed the subject much to Patsy’s relief.
“They’re setting the bandstand up Darla.”
Pete seemed excited. If he found out about a dance, he tried to be first in line. He was a natural on the dance floor and had won competitions for extra money.
“We’re gonna have a ball. No one told me the music was live.”
“The flyer they handed out mentioned it in big lettering Jeanie.”
“I didn’t get one.” Jeanie slugged Pete in the side.
“We have another half hour before the dancing starts. Time to put my skates away,” said Patsy. I wanna sit down before the crowd converges off the rink.”
They joined their friends and started to skate. Patsy gasped and took off for the benches. Darla rolled her eyes at Jeanie and they followed her.
“What’s gotten into you Patsy?”
“Nothing Jeanie.” Patsy had figured out whose face she had seen earlier. They weren’t completely identical.
“We should rent a locker and put our skate cases together in one.”
“Good idea Jeanie. Why don’t you grab a locker for us Patsy and we’ll wait here with the boys.” Darla handed the cases to Patsy.
“Fine with me. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Patsy wanted to leave by this time but she would disappoint everyone. She decided to forget her discomfort and dance her fear off with her friends.
The night seemed to stretch on forever. She turned and ran into Dillon. He laughed and said, “Darcy told me you were having some trouble skating earlier in the evening. This is my card. I give lessons twice a week if you’d be interested.”
“I don’t think so,” she stuttered. Skating isn’t something I do that often. Our crowd usually goes to a soda shop or a club somewhere to dance. We came tonight because of the special sock hop.”
“Too bad but if you decide to join the class later, you have the number here.
“Thanks, I’ll tell my friends as well.” Patsy was warming up to Dillon. She found him easy to talk to. The band started to play and he put out his hand and said, “Wanna dance?”
“Sure why not.”
Darla had her back to the dance floor and didn’t notice Patsy and Dillon. Jeanie stopped and pointed toward the dancers. “See them Darla?”
“My god.” said Darla. “She’s out frolicking with one of those brothers.”
“Yeah and he’s better than Pete.”
Patsy loved dancing with Dillon. He swung her around like they’d danced for years. His height made it easier for her to follow him.
“Get a load of Patsy out there with one of the guys she singled out as a peep.” Eddie thought she was nuts to begin with and now she sucked them into all of her malarkey by getting close to one of them. He was sure the next step was introductions.
The evening turned into a battle of wits between the guys. Eddie and Pete resented the presence of Dillon who hung around after their first couple of dances.
CHAPTER TWO
The last of her friends were dropped off. The drive gave Patsy time to sort out her thoughts. She drove into her driveway drained emotionally. The garage had been left wide open with her dad’s car inside. She pulled a box away blocking closure. His skills as a handy man were lacking. Regardless, his actions bordered on apathy and she knew the cause. No doubt he would want to discuss the rink and the missing dishes. He noticed insignificant things since her mom died. She prepared herself for the conversation ahead.
“Hey pop, how did the night go?”
“The usual, a shower and a book. As for work, I don’t want to talk about the office. The same sniveling kids and their mothers, you know.”
“You don’t mean that pop, quit being grumpy.”
“You’re right honey. The days seem to drag on since your mother passed. There are times, hours and minutes I wish I was an internist so my thoughts remained uninterrupted by all the noise. Kids are gold. Sadly at the moment the value has gone down.”
“Things will get better pop. I miss her too. Think of when our family enjoyed happy times together. What else can we do?”
“Here you are giving me a pep talk. I should be the one making this speech. Thanks Patsy, I’m proud you’re my kid.”
“I’m touched pop, although I’m not a kid anymore. Eighteen is the dividing line.”
“Sorry, I find comfort in the fact you still live with me whatever the age. When do you start your job at the theater?”
“Alex told me to come in on Tuesday. He said business is slow at the Lux then. Much easier to teach me how to run the ticket booth. Are you hungry pop? I’m going to make an omelet, you want one too?”
“Sounds delicious, I haven’t eaten yet. Just been sitting here reading.”
He had spotted all the broken dishes in the trash. How would he tell her she was having visions? She wasn’t aware of her capabilities because she hadn’t been told about her mother’s skills. No one talked of psychic experiences openly. She might be in for problems providing he didn’t reveal her legacy soon. Shock would definitely be the first reaction and second knowing she inherited paranormal abilities. The incidents, as she dubbed them, were always chalked off to an over active imagination. The women in her maternal family line were adepts. The knowledge caused a tremendous amount of grief during their lifetimes. He needed to bring up the subject and do the telling in increments.
The kitchen door opened and Patsy came back into the living room with two plates. She sat them on the coffee table and turned on the radio. Her dad put his book down and moved to the couch. They hadn’t purchased a television yet. He refused to buy one being resistant to new inventions. Until such time the contraption, as he called it, caused the ruin of his serials he would listen to the end.
“Why don’t we go to the picnic tomorrow?”
“Sure, I’d enjoy going to the park.” Any way to get him out of the house was fine with her. His life revolved around his job and depression. A trip to anywhere would be a positive change.
“What do you want me to fix? I went shopping yesterday so we should have enough for a picnic lunch.”
“Make whatever suits you Patsy.”
“OK pop.” Patsy walked over to her dad and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She left going upstairs to her room, next stop the kitchen.
Copyright 2011 RKB
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