Love

From phone camera

Martha and her Collette had spent much of their fish lives gracing the tank in Dr. Reman’s medical office.  Their job was to flutter their golden fairy fins, float effortlessly from one end of the four foot tank and then back again. 

No sense of time ever ruled in their world.

Martha and Collette had normal fish expectations: food, swim, release waste products.  Repeat. This was absolutely fine.

Then Jerome arrived.  Tiny Jerome.

His job was to buzz around furiously, a gray and browned striped tiny shark-like fish.  Jerome was not there for looks; he was there to eat the waste products and clean algae from the rocks, wafting sea plants, and the castle which served as a place to linger.

Jerome expected nothing else, until he saw Collette.  Gazing into one eye on her side and then the other eye, Jerome sensed a shift in the tank world.

What is more, Collette sensed it as well.

Martha saw the exchange and fluttered in between them.  Jerome sped down to the castle, behind a rock.  He waited, hoping that Martha would forget Collette and wander off to the aerator. 

Then, Jerome darted out, flying through the water to Collette. Their side fins brushed lightly against each other briefly, but just enough to send vibrations of deep emotion shivering through them.

Martha broke up the sensual caress and chased Jerome away.  Watching his retreat, Martha felt the same exultation Collette had felt, the same longing.

Jerome.  Tiny Jerome.  Jerome the Gigolo.

One's imagination runs rampant while waiting in the doctor office.

Samuel vs. Ginger

Thanks Pam and Dawn! See*Photo*Write

Heavy rain pelted the Old Church door and Samuel coughed.  It was a wet cough followed by yellow goo from his nose.  Misery was running high.

The Mommy had cleaned him up, wiping his nose again.  ‘Just let it flow, woman!’  Samuel had already found the sofa and chairs useful enough. 

The doorbell rang, and Aunt Tammy came whooshing through the door.  An irritatingly cheerful woman, “Oh, whittle Sammie Whammy has duh sniffuls?” as she scooped him up.  “Oh, who’s duh cutest…” 

Samuel let loose with a full-bodied sneeze right into her open mouth.  ‘Just for you, Tammy Whammy!’

The Mommy carried in a gift from Tammy’s car:  a round fish bowl with a deep-red fish swirling around, its fins fluttering in clear water.  Setting it on the table, she wiped Samuel’s nose again and took him from the retching Aunt Tammy.

Putting Samuel down by the table, the Mommy called, “Here’s some tea!”  Tammy stumbled, retching all the way to the kitchen, leaving Samuel.  Eye level with the fish bowl, Samuel considered it.

Ginger-the-old-fat-tabby appeared on a chair next to Samuel.  Their eyes met, thoughts were exchanged, and challenges made.  Who is faster?  Who is better?  Who will win this battle?

Samuel saw only one way. Giving it his all, Samuel screamed and cried, “Whaaaa!  Mommmmmmammmmmmaaa…”

The Mommy came, saw the crying child pointing at the cat, and grabbed the Ginger.  She scolded the old cat all the way to the front door.  Ginger and Samuel exchanged looks.  ‘So this is the way it is to be,’ Ginger glared through slitted eyes.

Time enough.  Just time enough.  Samuel grabbed the fish bowl between snotty hands, pulling it to the edge.  ‘Be free, my friend.  Be free.’  The bowl dropped.