Halloween

1 BLANK SCREEN

Joyce Peterson

Howard sat in the darkened room and looked at his computer. What he saw was a blank screen. Damn, Damn, Damn!! His publisher had given him a measly $10,000 advance but, now, the money was gone and so were the words. He was sure he could do another novel, but, so far, he was wrong. He heard the rain pelting against the window pane. Somewhere in the neighborhood there was a dog howling. He felt a sudden hate for anyone who would leave a dog out in the rain. The ringing of the doorbell brought his thoughts to the Blank Screen. If he could only get started. For him, starting was one of the hardest parts of writing a novel. The bell rang again.

He didn't know why they should give out candy to the little "devils" and "angels" who did nothing but break their windows by batting balls when they didn't know how to hit a ball with a bat, or ruining their flower beds by riding trikes and bikes through them because they had never been taught how to guide them.

They had gone through this last Halloween. Ellen had said, "They're just kids. I'm sure our kids have irritated our neighbors playing ball or riding bikes. Halloween's supposed to be a fun night. Just hand out the candy in the bowl on the table near the door, while I take the kids out for trick or treat." That was last year, when Howard wasn't occupied with writing a new novel. The doorbell rang again.

"ELLEN!!," he called. There was no answer. Damn, damn, damn, again! Ellen had probably gone out with the kids to pilfer candy from the neighbors.. She might have told him, but he had been too occupied to hear her. He got up and made his way through the family room and started through the darkened living room. Ellen always liked to darken the house and put the porch light on. She thought it made the kids feel welcome. He could see the porch light was on by its reflection in the door window.. Then, he fell over the footstool. After a few more cuss words and kicking the stool out of the way, he got to the candy. He took a piece, unwrapped it and put it in his mouth.

The sweet taste helped soften his attitude and he threw the door open with a hearty, "Well, who have we here?" All he got in return w=as mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street, but there was no one. He pushed the doorbell to be sure that that was the sound he had heard. It was. He hoped Ellen and the kids had taken refuge with one of the neighbors. He was sure that Ellen would call if she wanted him to pick them up.

He closed the door and started back to his computer. The light from the computer in a far corner of the family room brought on more anxiety about the novel. When he sat down, he could see there was something on the screen. He knew there were some of his computer literate friends who probably had the knowledge to break in on his screen. Blazoned across it were the words, "It was dark and stormy night…" When lightening and thunder lit up the windows and shook his house, he thought, "Boy, did they have that right."

Looking at the words again, he knew they were familiar but he didn't know why. He clicked on "Google" then typed in the phrase and told the computer to search. The first thing that came up were excerpts from an old English book. "It was a dark and stormy night" had been the start of it. He read a bit of the story that had been published there, but gave it up. "I don't have time to read someone else's words, I need to get started on my own."

Then he thought, "That was a great beginning for the 1800's, but too cliché for today. Maybe I could rephrase it, bring it up to date. It still seemed more familiar than a quote from an old book he had never read before. However, just having a thought, for a beginning sentence of the new book, made him feel better.

The door bell rang again, and again, and again. He got up, reluctantly, and made his way through the dark, picked up more candy and ate it. This time he opened the door slowly. He got more mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street again. A bolt of lightening showed him there was no one, any place.

When he got back to the computer, something had been added to the beginning words. Now, it read, "It was a dark and stormy night and all the boys were gathered 'round the campfire." As any writer would, he thought, "The first words have shown me how I might start, maybe I could use this part, too." Let me see, I don't write about boys but they could be men gathered around a campfire. Why would men be gathered around a campfire? They would probably be gathered around a pool or the bar closeby, having fun while the company would list it as a get together to talk over last year's failures and, hopefully, successes for the new year. Then he remembered that the government had really frowned on those long distance get-togethers paid for with company funds. Why couldn't a company comply with the new low budget gatherings and do it at a campsite?

Howard suddenly remembered his Boy Scout troop. That was why the words were so familiar. They had sung them when they went camping. He tried to bring back more of it when the door bell rang again.

He thought, "When I find out who is doing all this, somebody is going to have Hell to pay!" No matter, he still made his way to the front door, had candy, opened the door to feel the mist on his face and saw no one. Actually, he was almost anxious to get back to his computer to see what the screen had to say. this time. Something new had been added, it read, "It was a dark and stormy night. The boys were gathered around the campfire and, Jack, the Captain's son came running in. They all said, Jack, tell us a story and he began."

That's IT, he told himself, "The men are gathered around a campfire when someone runs in to give them some terrible news. I can make it a mystery. I'll be able to go from there." He kissed the screen. He had his face against the screen when he heard someone call his name.

"Howard, Howard, are you all right?" When he looked up, Ellen was standing over him.

"Are you back? Why didn't you call me? Is it still raining out?" He asked her.

"Back? Call you? Raining out?" Ellen sounded confused. Howard could certainly understand confusion at this point. Who had sent the screen messages? Who had rung the doorbell? He would try to straighten Ellen out before he told her about the messages. He asked, "Did you get to do any trick or treating in the rain? Who did you stay with? Why didn't you call me? I would have come for you."

Ellen laughed. "Lover, I just came in to tell you that the kids and I are just starting out for Trick or Treat. The candy is by the door for you to give the little angels and devils who will come by. I'm going as a very happy wife in the fur coat you bought me from the proceeds of your last novel. Donny is going as Caspar, so I don't worry about him. He can wear a coat under his costume, but Frannie is a Prima Ballerina and I had to promise to take her to her friend's party later so she would wear a coat while we're trick or treating. As for the rain, there is none, hasn't been any, and won't be any according to the forecast. You must have been dreaming. Maybe, while we're out, you'll be able to get started on that new book you promised the publisher, if you don't have too many kids coming by."

As she started toward the front door, she called, "Come on, you two goblins. Let's get this show on the road."

"But, but," Howard muttered as the three of them left. "I must have been dreaming but it seemed so real. It doesn't matter because, now, I know how to start and how to proceed. But, I was hoping for a little help with the mystery," he thought. He laughed at himself and the blank screen as he sat down before it.

Then, he heard the rain splash against the window. He heard a dog howling. The doorbell rang as the words began to take shape on the screen,

"IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT,"

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New

1 BLANK SCREEN

Joyce Peterson

Howard sat in the darkened room and looked at his computer. What he saw was a blank screen. Damn, Damn, Damn!! His publisher had given him a measly $10,000 advance but, now, the money was gone and so were the words. He was sure he could do another novel, but, so far, he was wrong. He heard the rain pelting against the window pane. Somewhere in the neighborhood there was a dog howling. He felt a sudden hate for anyone who would leave a dog out in the rain. The ringing of the doorbell brought his thoughts to the Blank Screen. If he could only get started. For him, starting was one of the hardest parts of writing a novel. The bell rang again.

He didn't know why they should give out candy to the little "devils" and "angels" who did nothing but break their windows by batting balls when they didn't know how to hit a ball with a bat, or ruining their flower beds by riding trikes and bikes through them because they had never been taught how to guide them.

They had gone through this last Halloween. Ellen had said, "They're just kids. I'm sure our kids have irritated our neighbors playing ball or riding bikes. Halloween's supposed to be a fun night. Just hand out the candy in the bowl on the table near the door, while I take the kids out for trick or treat." That was last year, when Howard wasn't occupied with writing a new novel. The doorbell rang again.

"ELLEN!!," he called. There was no answer. Damn, damn, damn, again! Ellen had probably gone out with the kids to pilfer candy from the neighbors.. She might have told him, but he had been too occupied to hear her. He got up and made his way through the family room and started through the darkened living room. Ellen always liked to darken the house and put the porch light on. She thought it made the kids feel welcome. He could see the porch light was on by its reflection in the door window.. Then, he fell over the footstool. After a few more cuss words and kicking the stool out of the way, he got to the candy. He took a piece, unwrapped it and put it in his mouth.

The sweet taste helped soften his attitude and he threw the door open with a hearty, "Well, who have we here?" All he got in return was mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street, but there was no one. He pushed the doorbell to be sure that that was the sound he had heard. It was. He hoped Ellen and the kids had taken refuge with one of the neighbors. He was sure that Ellen would call if she wanted him to pick them up.

He closed the door and started back to his computer. The light from the computer in a far corner of the family room brought on more anxiety about the novel. When he sat down, he could see there was something on the screen. He knew there were some of his computer literate friends who probably had the knowledge to break in on his screen. Blazoned across it "It was dark and stormy night…" When lightening and thunder lit up the windows and shook his house, he thought, "Boy, did they have that right."

Looking at the words again, he knew they were familiar but he didn't know why. He clicked on "Google" then typed in the phrase and told the computer to search. The first thing that came up were excerpts from an old English book. "It was a dark and stormy night" had been the start of it. He read a bit of the story that had been published there, but gave it up. "I don't have time to read someone else's words, I need to get started on my own."

Then he thought, "That was a great beginning for the 1800's, but too cliché for today. Maybe I could rephrase it, make it up to date. It still seemed more familiar than a quote from an old book he had never read before. However, just having a thought, for a beginning sentence for the new book, made him feel better.

The door bell rang again, and again, and again. He got up, reluctantly, and made his way through the dark, picked up more candy and ate it. This time he opened the door slowly. He got more mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street again. A bolt of lightening showed him there was no one, any place.

When he got back to the computer, something had been added to the beginning words. Now, it read, "It was a dark and stormy night and all the boys were gathered 'round the campfire." As any writer would, he thought, "The first words have shown me how I might start, maybe I could use this part, too." Let me see, I don't write about boys but they could be men gathered around a campfire. Why would men be gathered around a campfire? They would probably be gathered around a pool or the bar closeby, having fun while the company would list it as a get together to talk over last year's failures and, hopefully, successes for the new year. Then he remembered that the government had really frowned on those long distance get-togethers paid for with company funds. Why couldn't a company comply with the new low budget gatherings and do it at a campsite?

Howard suddenly remembered his Boy Scout troop. That was why the words were so familiar. They had sung them when they went camping. He tried to bring back more of it when the door bell rang again.

____________________________________________________________
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Blank

1 BLANK SCREEN

Joyce Peterson

Howard sat in the darkened room and looked at his computer. What he saw was a blank screen. Damn, Damn, Damn!! His publisher had given him a measly $10,000 advance but, now, the money was gone and so were the words. He was sure he could do another novel, but, so far, he was wrong. He heard the rain pelting against the window pane. Somewhere in the neighborhood there was a dog howling. He felt a sudden hate for anyone who would leave a dog out in the rain. The ringing of the doorbell brought his thoughts to the Blank Screen. If he could only get started. For him, starting was one of the hardest parts of writing a novel. The bell rang again.

He didn't know why they should give out candy to the little "devils" and "angels" who did nothing but break their windows by batting balls when they didn't know how to hit a ball with a bat, or ruining their flower beds by riding trikes and bikes through them because they had never been taught how to guide them.

They had gone through this last Halloween. Ellen had said, "They're just kids. I'm sure our kids have irritated our neighbors playing ball or riding bikes. Halloween's supposed to be a fun night. Just hand out the candy in the bowl on the table near the door, while I take the kids out for trick or treat." That was last year, when Howard wasn't occupied with writing a new novel. The doorbell rang again.

"ELLEN!!," he called. There was no answer. Damn, damn, damn, again! Ellen had probably gone out with the kids to pilfer candy from the neighbors.. She might have told him, but he had been too occupied to hear her. He got up and made his way through the family room and started through the darkened living room. Ellen always liked to darken the house and put the porch light on. She thought it made the kids feel welcome. He could see the porch light was on by its reflection in the door window.. Then, he fell over the footstool. After a few more cuss words and kicking the stool out of the way, he got to the candy. He took a piece, unwrapped it and put it in his mouth.

The sweet taste helped soften his attitude and he threw the door open with a hearty, "Well, who have we here?" All he got in return was mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street, but there was no one. He pushed the doorbell to be sure that that was the sound he had heard. It was. He hoped Ellen and the kids had taken refuge with one of the neighbors. He was sure that Ellen would call if she wanted him to pick them up.

He closed the door and started back to his computer. The light from the computer in a far corner of the family room brought on more anxiety about the novel. When he sat down, he could see there was something on the screen. He knew there were some of his computer literate friends who probably had the knowledge to break in on his screen. Blazoned across it "It was dark and stormy night…" When lightening and thunder lit up the windows and shook his house, he thought, "Boy, did they have that right."

Looking at the words again, he knew they were familiar but he didn't know why. He clicked on "Google" then typed in the phrase and told the computer to search. The first thing that came up were excerpts from an old English book. "It was a dark and stormy night" had been the start of it. He read a bit of the story that had been published there, but gave it up. "I don't have time to read someone else's words, I need to get started on my own."

Then he thought, "That was a great beginning for the 1800's, but too cliché for today. Maybe I could rephrase it, make it up to date. It still seemed more familiar than a quote from an old book he had never read before. However, just having a thought, for a beginning sentence for the new book, made him feel better.

The door bell rang again, and again, and again. He got up, reluctantly, and made his way through the dark, picked up more candy and ate it. This time he opened the door slowly. He got more mist, from the rain, in his face. He looked up and down the street again. A bolt of lightening showed him there was no one, any place.

When he got back to the computer, something had been added to the beginning words. Now, it read, "It was a dark and stormy night and all the boys were gathered 'round the campfire." As any writer would, he thought, "The first words have shown me how I might start, maybe I could use this part, too." Let me see, I don't write about boys but they could be men gathered around a campfire. Why would men be gathered around a campfire? They would probably be gathered around a pool or the bar closeby, having fun while the company would list it as a get together to talk over last year's failures and, hopefully, successes for the new year. Then he remembered that the government had really frowned on those long distance get-togethers paid for with company funds. Why couldn't a company comply with the new low budget gatherings and do it at a campsite?

Howard suddenly remembered his Boy Scout troop. That was why the words were so familiar. They had sung them when they went camping. He tried to bring back more of it when the door bell rang again.

____________________________________________________________
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Finale

Harriet was happy when the time between council meetings went by without any more incidents with the TV. Mama seemed to be happy to be going to the next meeting, anxious to see some old friends. The only mention of the "telling telly" was when Mama noted that Mr. Bellingham seemed to be doing fine. Harriet had merely agreed with her without mentioning the TV.

On the night of the council meeting, they all left about the same time. Harriet kissed them both and said, "You two have a good time. I set the TV in the living room to record the meeting. We can watch it when we all get home." As Harriet drove out, she saw Charles getting Mama settled into his car. "What a lucky woman I am," she thought.

The High School Dance was held, as always, in the gym. Harriet was not into today's music or dancing. She wished she had been with Mama and Charles but she had promised Ellen. Harriet was a woman who kept promises but she was glad when the evening was over. As she drove home, she even felt anxious to see the recording of the meeting. She hoped Mama had a good time.

When she went in the door she could hear that the TV was on to one of the programs they all liked.

"Ok," she called, "I'm here. I hope I got the Council Meeting recorded. Let's watch it after this program is over."

Charles came over and kissed her. "We're all set up," he told her.

"Maybe we should explain first, Charles," Mama sounded fearful.

"Let's see it now," Harriet almost demanded. She never liked to put anything off. The best time was always "Now" with her.

Charles patted Mama on the shoulder as he sat beside Harriet on the couch. "It's OK, Mama. She will know sooner or later."

When the TV program was over, Charles changed to the recorded program.

The beginning seemed to be just a bunch of people saying "Hello" and getting settled. Everyone found a seat as soon as the chairman pounded the gavel on the table.

Charles felt Harriet shiver. "Cold?" He asked.

"Just a little," she answered. Charles put his arm around her and drew her closer.

The Chairman called the meeting to order then proceeded, "Before we go on with the meeting, there is some bad news I have to bring to you. Dave Bellingham's son called me this afternoon to tell me that Dave had been in a car accident today and had died after getting to the hospital. The family was there before he…," the Chairman stopped to compose himself then continued "The last thing he told his son was to tell me that he wouldn't be able to make it tonight. They will let us know later about the arrangements. Shall we all bow our heads in silence as a tribute to Dave."

Both those at the meeting and the three watching the TV were silent. Mama was the first to break the silence with, "Just a coincidence."

The Chairman started on the business of the meeting. Everything was handled and the meeting was over when the recording ended.

Harriet was shaking so much that Charles put both arms around her. "Will you be OK? I'll take Mama to her bedroom."

Harriet stood up. "I'm fine. I'll take her. I can help her get ready for bed. I'll be back in a few minutes." She pushed Mama toward her room.

Mama reached up and patted her daughter's hand. "It's all right, Harriet. I understand."

When Harriet had helped her mother change and get into bed, she reached down and hugged her. "You know I love you, Mom."

"You'd have to, to put up with me and that damn "telling telly." But everything is fine. See you in the morning." Mama pulled the covers up and settled down.

Harriet got back to the living room before she broke down completely.

Charles Got up and put his arms around her."What on earth is the matter? We were never that close to the Bellinghams. Besides, I did return all those things I borrowed from him." Charles tried to lighten up the conversation as he pulled her closer.

Harriet pulled away and tried to stop crying as she told him, "It's not that, Charles. I couldn't see Mama at the meeting and I think she couldn't see herself, either."

Harriet was happy when the time between council meetings went by without any more incidents with the TV. Mama seemed to be happy to be going to the next meeting, anxious to see some old friends. The only mention of the "telling telly" was when Mama noted that Mr. Bellingham seemed to be doing fine. Harriet had merely agreed with her without mentioning the TV.

On the night of the council meeting, they all left about the same time. Harriet kissed them both and said, "You two have a good time. I set the TV in the living room to record the meeting. We can watch it when we all get home." As Harriet drove out, she saw Charles getting Mama settled into his car. "What a lucky woman I am," she thought.

The High School Dance was held, as always, in the gym. Harriet was not into today's music or dancing. She wished she had been with Mama and Charles but she had promised Ellen. Harriet was a woman who kept promises but she was glad when the evening was over. As she drove home, she even felt anxious to see the recording of the meeting. She hoped Mama had a good time.

When she went in the door she could hear that the TV was on to one of the programs they all liked.

"Ok," she called, "I'm here. I hope I got the Council Meeting recorded. Let's watch it after this program is over."

Charles came over and kissed her. "We're all set up," he told her.

"Maybe we should explain first, Charles," Mama sounded fearful.

"Let's see it now," Harriet almost demanded. She never liked to put anything off. The best time was always "Now" with her.

Charles patted Mama on the shoulder as he sat beside Harriet on the couch. "It's OK, Mama. She will know sooner or later."

When the TV program was over, Charles changed to the recorded program.

The beginning seemed to be just a bunch of people saying "Hello" and getting settled. Everyone found a seat as soon as the chairman pounded the gavel on the table.

Charles felt Harriet shiver. "Cold?" He asked.

"Just a little," she answered. Charles put his arm around her and drew her closer.

The Chairman called the meeting to order then proceeded, "Before we go on with the meeting, there is some bad news I have to bring to you. Dave Bellingham's son called me this afternoon to tell me that Dave had been in a car accident today and had died after getting to the hospital. The family was there before he…," the Chairman stopped to compose himself then continued "The last thing he told his son was to tell me that he wouldn't be able to make it tonight. They will let us know later about the arrangements. Shall we all bow our heads in silence as a tribute to Dave."

Both those at the meeting and the three watching the TV were silent. Mama was the first to break the silence with, "Just a coincidence."

The Chairman started on the business of the meeting. Everything was handled and the meeting was over when the recording ended.

Harriet was shaking so much that Charles put both arms around her. "Will you be OK? I'll take Mama to her bedroom."

Harriet stood up. "I'm fine. I'll take her. I can help her get ready for bed. I'll be back in a few minutes." She pushed Mama toward her room.

Mama reached up and patted her daughter's hand. "It's all right, Harriet. I understand."

When Harriet had helped her mother change and get into bed, she reached down and hugged her. "You know I love you, Mom."

"You'd have to, to put up with me and that damn "telling telly." But everything is fine. See you in the morning." Mama pulled the covers up and settled down.

Harriet got back to the living room before she broke down completely.

Charles Got up and put his arms around her."What on earth is the matter? We were never that close to the Bellinghams. Besides, I did return all those things I borrowed from him." Charles tried to lighten up the conversation as he pulled her closer.

Harriet pulled away and tried to stop crying as she told him, "It's not that, Charles. I couldn't see Mama at the meeting and I think she couldn't see herself, either."

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Addition to Telly

Harriet both did, and did not, want to hear that Mr. Bellingham would no longer be with us. He was such a good neighbor. He had often loaned them tools or garden equipment. In fact, she'd better remind Charles to check to see if they had anything that needed to be returned, just in case. Harriet mentally gave herself a smack on the head. "Harriet," she told herself, "stop buying into that story that Mama is telling about the…(she thought about how to put it , even to herself) THE TELLING TELLY!!" She couldn't help but laugh.

Mama looked up at her, "What's so funny?"

Harriet knew she wasn't one who usually made jokes but she felt she had to tell Mama, "I just had a thought, Mama. What you have here is a TELLING TELLY!" She laughed again.

"I don't think that's very funny, Harriet." Mama waited a few moments before she added, "By the way, did you hear on the news that Ned Sanford got killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday?"

Mama's triumphant smile brought Harriet's laughter to a quick end. "No, I hadn't heard. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure Ned Sanford's death was just a coincidence." She wanted to sound sure of herself but couldn't help the break in her voice.

Mama felt sorry for her sharp, smug words. After all, this was the daughter who had taken her in and was doing her best to see that she had the best of care, even if she had taken her in for an eye exam three times in the last six months.

Mama smiled as she answered, "You know what, Harriet? I think you're right. From now on this will be known as THE TELLING TELLY."

Harriet felt the coldness that engulfed her whole body. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to make fun of your TV. I know you think you don't see…things…people…"

Mama laughed. "But you still think I'm nuts. That's OK. I didn't tell you about the first time it happened. I guess I wasn't sure it did. Then…then… Anyway, let's forget about it. Maybe it is all just a coincidence."

"What is just a coincidence?" Charles had just come home. He stood in the open doorway to Mama's bedroom

Harriet jumped and Mama jerked in her wheelchair. Mama looked at Harriet. "You haven't told him, Harriet?" Harriet shook her head. Mama added, "Charles has a good head on his shoulders. Let's see what he thinks."

Harriet looked at Mama. "Are you sure?" When Mama nodded her consent, Harriet told her husband about THE TELLING TELLY.

"So, "Charles said, "that's what all the "see" and "didn't see" was about when you came home from the ophthalmologist. I waited for an explanation but when I didn't get one, I thought it was just something between the two of you."

Mama asked, "Well, do you think I'm crazy?"

Charles smiled. "Boy, is that a loaded question." He laughed. "Of course I don't think you're crazy. If you didn't see it, it wasn't there. I've never understood all the things they can do on TV.

Harriet concurred. "Me, either." She thought it best to change the subject. "By the way, you're home early."

"It was a boring meeting. Nothing that I needed to vote on. I left early." Charles told them.

"Was Mr. Bellingham OK when you left?" Mama asked slowly and deliberatingly.

"He was fine. He did want to know if he could borrow his lawn edgier back from us." Charles laughed.

Harriet told him, "I was going to tell you to take back all the things we have borrowed from him. Mama didn't see him on the program tonight."

Charles didn't get her meaning at once, "Yes, he was in the second row. Maybe he'd stepped out for a moment."

Harriet patted Mama on the shoulder. "See, Mama. Maybe he had just stepped out for a moment."

Mama wanted to agree but wasn't sure. "Maybe," she reiterated.

In the days that followed, things got back to normal. Giving Mama's TV a name had cleared the air. Mr. Bellingham continued to be hale and hearty. Charles was able to joke about Mama's telly so that they could all enjoy the humor in it, although Mama did not enjoy it as much as she pretended.

After the next Council meeting, when Charles came home, he told them that he had told some of the members about Mama's TV. They suggested that he bring her to the next meeting. Some of them remembered her from the time she served on the Council.

Harriet was aghast. "Charles, you didn't tell them about Mr. Bellingham, did you?" she asked him.

Charles shook his head. "No, of course. I didn't think that would be wise."

Mama, who had been listening added, "That would have been very unwise." Remembering the invitation she was enthusiastic in her acceptance. "I'd love to go with you to the meeting, Charles. Some of them may even remember me. Harriet could go with us,too."

Harriet looked at the calendar and shook her head. "No, I can't. That's the night I promised my friend Ellen that I would help her chaperone the High School Dance. She teaches there and it's her turn to chaperone. Usually one of the other teachers is with her but for some reason can't. I told her I would."

Charles put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "That was very noble of you, my love."

Harriet answered, "I think it will be fun. Besides, I can record the meeting and we can all watch it together later. You two can give me a blow by blow description."

n

THE TELLING TELLY

Joyce Peterson

"Are you sure, doctor?" Harriet couldn't keep the concern out of her voice. She was a handsome middle aged woman, who had not kept the slender figure of her youth, but had one she was proud of at her age. Her beautiful black hair had just a few grey rivulets running through it and her blue eyes complemented the smooth skin of her face. All in all, she was pleased with her looks and her life, if only there hadn't been this problem with Mama who had come to live with her. She, Mama and Mama's wheelchair just about filled Doctor Shapiro's consultation room. The ophthalmologist had just completed the examination on Mama.

"There's a very slight difference from the last time you brought her in. I think she sees fine for …" he hesitated.

"Go ahead. We all know what you mean. I'm doing fine for a woman my age." The old woman, who looked like a greyed down version of Harriet, turned in her wheelchair and looked at her middle age daughter. "I told you, Harriet, it's the telly, not me. I know what I see or don't see. I just didn't see him." Turning back to the doctor, she said, "This is the third time I've been in here in the last six months. Will you please tell my daughter that when I don't see someone on the telly, it's because of the telly, not my eyesight." Mama had been seeing a lot of the BBC programs on TV and liked the sound of the word "Telly".

Doctor smiled as he told Mama. "I could give you a prescription with the slight difference, if you would like."

The old woman pulled her jacket more tightly around her as she pronounced, "You'll do no such thing. I don't need new glasses. Maybe I need a new daughter who will believe me when I say don't see someone on the telly…the TV… if you'd rather."

Harriet knew she was fighting a lost cause. "Never mind, doctor. Even if I bought the new prescription, she'd probably refuse to wear them."

"You're damn right, Harriet. The ones I've got are fine. It's that bloody telly. I just didn't see him."

Harriet sighed. "I'm sorry, doctor. We won't bother you again until it's Mama's regular time to come in. It's just when she doesn't see someone in the picture on TV, someone whom I can see is actually there, then she tells me.."Harriet didn't want to continue.

"My daughter is afraid you'll think I'm nuts if she tells you that, when I don't see someone on the TV picture, he ceases to exist soon after that. I won't tell her anymore. I'm tired of being hauled in here to have my eyes examined when there's nothing wrong with them." The old woman settled back in her wheelchair and drew a finger across her lips.

Harriet sighed again. "Fine, Mama. We won't come in for six months. OK?"

Mama grunted but refused to say anything to her daughter but turned her chair so she could talk to the doctor. "We'll see, just wait. Ned Sanford will not be with us much longer." When she saw the questioning look on the doctor's face, she added, "He's just a minor actor but I've always liked him and yesterday, I didn't see him on the serial."

Harriet insisted on saying, "It probably wasn't his day to be on, Mama."

The old woman turned her head as far away from her daughter as she could. "Did you understand me, doctor?" she asked. "I was talking to you."

The doctor tried not to smile as he told her, "Yes, Mrs. Dunlop. I heard. Now, all we have to do is watch the obits for a few days."

"Damn right! We'll see. We'll ALL see! Even my pig headed daughter. Now she can take me home. " Mama tried to get her wheelchair started toward the door but Harriet took over as she sighed one more time.

The ride home was a quiet one, except for a few grunts from Mama.

When they got home, Charles greeted them at the door. Just seeing her husband standing in the open door with that big smile on his face gave Harriet's day the happiness boost it needed. Charles was one of those tall, middle aged man who seemed to get better looking with the years even though his blond hair had grown sparse and his waist line a little thicker.

"Where have you two been?" he questioned. "When I got home from work, all that greeted me was Mama's TV blasting away."

Mama didn't give Harriet a chance to reply. "Ask you're wife, my pig headed daughter. She dragged me to that bloody ophthalmologist, again! She took me out of here so fast I didn't have time to turn off the telly."

Charles laughed as he took over, pushing Mama's wheelchair to her bedroom.

Harriet couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she announced, "Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth speaketh, so it must be true. Except I warned her that I WOULD call the doctor if she tries to tell me that she saw..

Mama interrupted, "DID'NT see!!"

Harriet pretended that she hadn't heard Mama as she continued, "….no one on that TV of hers."

Mama picked up on the sarcasm, "ANYONE. Remember you were an English major!

Harriet was glad that Charlie had not only accepted the fact that Mama had to come to live with them, when Papa died and she could no longer care for herself, but Charles and Mama got along famously. He had been the one to see that she had as many comforts as they could afford. That darn TV had been one. Mama could watch it all day, if she wanted to and she usually did. They had got cable so Mama could watch the local broadcasts. The city had a station that broadcast all the council meetings. Mama had served on the board for many years so she watched all the meetings as they happened. Charles now served on the Council, so he and Mama always seemed to have much to talk about. Harriet was glad to see how much Charles cared for Mama but she was really not interested in city matters so she did not watch the broadcasts. To tell the truth, she wished she and Charles were as close as they had been before Mama moved in.

Mama calmed down for the next few days. Harriet was happy to see that everything had settled into their regular routine, until, one day, Mama called her away from cleaning up after dinner. Charles had gone to a meeting.

"Harriet, come in here." When Harriet came to stand behind the wheelchair to watch the beginning of the Council Meeting, Mama asked, "Who's that second man in the first row?"

Harriet bent toward the TV to take a closer look. "That's Mr. Bellingham. He lives up the street from us."

Mama gave one of her grunts.

Harriet tried to ignore the chill that ran down her spine. "Mama…Mama…why did you call me?

Mama grunted again. "I said I wouldn't tell you."

Harriet both did, and did not, want to hear that Mr. Bellingham would no longer be with us. He was such a good neighbor. He had often loaned them tools or garden equipment. In fact, she'd better remind Charles to check to see if they had anything that needed to be returned, just in case. Harriet mentally gave herself a smack on the head. "Harriet," she told herself, "stop buying into that story that Mama is telling about the…(she thought about how to put it , even to herself) THE TELLING TELLY!!" She couldn't help but laugh.

Mama looked up at her, "What's so funny?"

Harriet knew she wasn't one who usually made jokes but she felt she had to tell Mama, "I just had a thought, Mama. What you have here is a TELLING TELLY!" She laughed again.

"I don't think that's very funny, Harriet." Mama waited a few moments before she added, "By the way, did you hear on the news that Ned Sanford got killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday?"

Mama's triumphant smile brought Harriet's laughter to a quick end. "No, I hadn't heard. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure Ned Sanford's death was just a coincidence." She wanted to sound sure of herself but couldn't help the break in her voice.

Mama felt sorry for her sharp, smug words. After all, this was the daughter who had taken her in and was doing her best to see that she had the best of care, even if she had taken her in for an eye exam three times in the last six months.

Mama smiled as she answered, "You know what, Harriet? I think you're right. From now on this will be known as THE TELLING TELLY."

Harriet felt the coldness that engulfed her whole body. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to make fun of your TV. I know you think you don't see…things…people…"

Mama laughed. "But you still think I'm nuts. That's OK. I didn't tell you about the first time it happened. I guess I wasn't sure it did. Then…then… Anyway, let's forget about it. Maybe it is all just a coincidence."

"What is just a coincidence?" Charles had just come home. He stood in the open doorway to Mama's bedroom

Harriet jumped and Mama jerked in her wheelchair. Mama looked at Harriet. "You haven't told him, Harriet?" Harriet shook her head. Mama added, "Charles has a good head on his shoulders. Let's see what he thinks."

Harriet looked at Mama. "Are you sure?" When Mama nodded her consent, Harriet told her husband about THE TELLING TELLY.

"So, "Charles said, "that's what all the "see" and "didn't see" was about when you came home from the ophthalmologist. I waited for an explanation but when I didn't get one, I thought it was just something between the two of you."

Mama asked, "Well, do you think I'm crazy?"

Charles smiled. "Boy, is that a loaded question." He laughed. "Of course I don't think you're crazy. If you didn't see it, it wasn't there. I've never understood all the things they can do on TV.

Harriet concurred. "Me, either." She thought it best to change the subject. "By the way, you're home early."

"It was a boring meeting. Nothing that I needed to vote on. I left early." Charles told them.

"Was Mr. Bellingham OK when you left?" Mama asked slowly and deliberatingly.

"He was fine. He did want to know if he could borrow his lawn edgier back from us." Charles laughed.

Harriet told him, "I was going to tell you to take back all the things we have borrowed from him. Mama didn't see him on the program tonight."

Charles didn't get her meaning at once, "Yes, he was in the second row. Maybe he'd stepped out for a moment."

Harriet patted Mama on the shoulder. "See, Mama. Maybe he had just stepped out for a moment."

Mama wanted to agree but wasn't sure. "Maybe," she reiterated.

In the days that followed, things got back to normal. Giving Mama's TV a name had cleared the air. Mr. Bellingham continued to be hale and hearty. Charles was able to joke about Mama's telly so that they could all enjoy the humor in it, although Mama did not enjoy it as much as she pretended.

After the next Council meeting, when Charles came home, he told them that he had told some of the members about Mama's TV. They suggested that he bring her to the next meeting. Some of them remembered her from the time she served on the Council.

Harriet was aghast. "Charles, you didn't tell them about Mr. Bellingham, did you?" she asked him.

Charles shook his head. "No, of course. I didn't think that would be wise."

Mama, who had been listening added, "That would have been very unwise." Remembering the invitation she was enthusiastic in her acceptance. "I'd love to go with you to the meeting, Charles. Some of them may even remember me. Harriet could go with us,too."

Harriet looked at the calendar and shook her head. "No, I can't. That's the night I promised my friend Ellen that I would help her chaperone the High School Dance. She teaches there and it's her turn to chaperone. Usually one of the other teachers is with her but for some reason can't. I told her I would."

Charles put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "That was very noble of you, my love."

Harriet answered, "I think it will be fun. Besides, I can record the meeting and we can all watch it together later. You two can give me a blow by blow description."

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Continuation telling telly

THE TELLING TELLY

Joyce Peterson

"Are you sure, doctor?" Harriet couldn't keep the concern out of her voice. She was a handsome middle aged woman, who had not kept the slender figure of her youth, but had one she was proud of at her age. Her beautiful black hair had just a few grey rivulets running through it and her blue eyes complemented the smooth skin of her face. All in all, she was pleased with her looks and her life, if only there hadn't been this problem with Mama who had come to live with her. She, Mama and Mama's wheelchair just about filled Doctor Shapiro's consultation room. The ophthalmologist had just completed the examination on Mama.

"There's a very slight difference from the last time you brought her in. I think she sees fine for …" he hesitated.

"Go ahead. We all know what you mean. I'm doing fine for a woman my age." The old woman, who looked like a greyed down version of Harriet, turned in her wheelchair and looked at her middle age daughter. "I told you, Harriet, it's the telly, not me. I know what I see or don't see. I just didn't see him." Turning back to the doctor, she said, "This is the third time I've been in here in the last six months. Will you please tell my daughter that when I don't see someone on the telly, it's because of the telly, not my eyesight." Mama had been seeing a lot of the BBC programs on TV and liked the sound of the word "Telly".

Doctor smiled as he told Mama. "I could give you a prescription with the slight difference, if you would like."

The old woman pulled her jacket more tightly around her as she pronounced, "You'll do no such thing. I don't need new glasses. Maybe I need a new daughter who will believe me when I say don't see someone on the telly…the TV… if you'd rather."

Harriet knew she was fighting a lost cause. "Never mind, doctor. Even if I bought the new prescription, she'd probably refuse to wear them."

"You're damn right, Harriet. The ones I've got are fine. It's that bloody telly. I just didn't see him."

Harriet sighed. "I'm sorry, doctor. We won't bother you again until it's Mama's regular time to come in. It's just when she doesn't see someone in the picture on TV, someone whom I can see is actually there, then she tells me.."Harriet didn't want to continue.

"My daughter is afraid you'll think I'm nuts if she tells you that, when I don't see someone on the TV picture, he ceases to exist soon after that. I won't tell her anymore. I'm tired of being hauled in here to have my eyes examined when there's nothing wrong with them." The old woman settled back in her wheelchair and drew a finger across her lips.

Harriet sighed again. "Fine, Mama. We won't come in for six months. OK?"

Mama grunted but refused to say anything to her daughter but turned her chair so she could talk to the doctor. "We'll see, just wait. Ned Sanford will not be with us much longer." When she saw the questioning look on the doctor's face, she added, "He's just a minor actor but I've always liked him and yesterday, I didn't see him on the serial."

Harriet insisted on saying, "It probably wasn't his day to be on, Mama."

The old woman turned her head as far away from her daughter as she could. "Did you understand me, doctor?" she asked. "I was talking to you."

The doctor tried not to smile as he told her, "Yes, Mrs. Dunlop. I heard. Now, all we have to do is watch the obits for a few days."

"Damn right! We'll see. We'll ALL see! Even my pig headed daughter. Now she can take me home. " Mama tried to get her wheelchair started toward the door but Harriet took over as she sighed one more time.

The ride home was a quiet one, except for a few grunts from Mama.

When they got home, Charles greeted them at the door. Just seeing her husband standing in the open door with that big smile on his face gave Harriet's day the happiness boost it needed. Charles was one of those tall, middle aged man who seemed to get better looking with the years even though his blond hair had grown sparse and his waist line a little thicker.

"Where have you two been?" he questioned. "When I got home from work, all that greeted me was Mama's TV blasting away."

Mama didn't give Harriet a chance to reply. "Ask you're wife, my pig headed daughter. She dragged me to that bloody ophthalmologist, again! She took me out of here so fast I didn't have time to turn off the telly."

Charles laughed as he took over, pushing Mama's wheelchair to her bedroom.

Harriet couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she announced, "Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth speaketh, so it must be true. Except I warned her that I WOULD call the doctor if she tries to tell me that she saw..

Mama interrupted, "DID'NT see!!"

Harriet pretended that she hadn't heard Mama as she continued, "….no one on that TV of hers."

Mama picked up on the sarcasm, "ANYONE. Remember you were an English major!

Harriet was glad that Charlie had not only accepted the fact that Mama had to come to live with them, when Papa died and she could no longer care for herself, but Charles and Mama got along famously. He had been the one to see that she had as many comforts as they could afford. That darn TV had been one. Mama could watch it all day, if she wanted to and she usually did. They had got cable so Mama could watch the local broadcasts. The city had a station that broadcast all the council meetings. Mama had served on the board for many years so she watched all the meetings as they happened. Charles now served on the Council, so he and Mama always seemed to have much to talk about. Harriet was glad to see how much Charles cared for Mama but she was really not interested in city matters so she did not watch the broadcasts. To tell the truth, she wished she and Charles were as close as they had been before Mama moved in.

Mama calmed down for the next few days. Harriet was happy to see that everything had settled into their regular routine, until, one day, Mama called her away from cleaning up after dinner. Charles had gone to a meeting.

"Harriet, come in here." When Harriet came to stand behind the wheelchair to watch the beginning of the Council Meeting, Mama asked, "Who's that second man in the first row?"

Harriet bent toward the TV to take a closer look. "That's Mr. Bellingham. He lives up the street from us."

Mama gave one of her grunts.

Harriet tried to ignore the chill that ran down her spine. "Mama…Mama…why did you call me?

Mama grunted again. "I said I wouldn't tell you."

Harriet both did, and did not, want to hear that Mr. Bellingham would no longer be with us. He was such a good neighbor. He had often loaned them tools or garden equipment. In fact, she'd better remind Charles to check to see if they had anything that needed to be returned, just in case. Harriet mentally gave herself a smack on the head. "Harriet," she told herself, "stop buying into that story that Mama is telling about the…(she thought about how to put it , even to herself) THE TELLING TELLY!!" She couldn't help but laugh.

Mama looked up at her, "What's so funny?"

Harriet knew she wasn't one who usually made jokes but she felt she had to tell Mama, "I just had a thought, Mama. What you have here is a TELLING TELLY!" She laughed again.

"I don't think that's very funny, Harriet." Mama waited a few moments before she added, "By the way, did you hear on the news that Ned Sanford got killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday?"

Mama's triumphant smile brought Harriet's laughter to a quick end. "No, I hadn't heard. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure Ned Sanford's death was just a coincidence." She wanted to sound sure of herself but couldn't help the break in her voice.

Mama felt sorry for her sharp, smug words. After all, this was the daughter who had taken her in and was doing her best to see that she had the best of care, even if she had taken her in for an eye exam three times in the last six months.

Mama smiled as she answered, "You know what, Harriet? I think you're right. From now on this will be known as THE TELLING TELLY."

Harriet felt the coldness that engulfed her whole body. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to make fun of your TV. I know you think you don't see…things…people…"

Mama laughed. "But you still think I'm nuts. That's OK. I didn't tell you about the first time it happened. I guess I wasn't sure it did. Then…then… Anyway, let's forget about it. Maybe it is all just a coincidence."

"What is just a coincidence?" Charles had just come home. He stood in the open doorway to Mama's bedroom

Harriet jumped and Mama jerked in her wheelchair. Mama looked at Harriet. "You haven't told him, Harriet?" Harriet shook her head. Mama added, "Charles has a good head on his shoulders. Let's see what he thinks."

Harriet looked at Mama. "Are you sure?" When Mama nodded her consent, Harriet told her husband about THE TELLING TELLY.

"So, "Charles said, "that's what all the "see" and "didn't see" was about when you came home from the ophthalmologist. I waited for an explanation but when I didn't get one, I thought it was just something between the two of you."

Mama asked, "Well, do you think I'm crazy?"

Charles smiled. "Boy, is that a loaded question." He laughed. "Of course I don't think you're crazy. If you didn't see it, it wasn't there. I've never understood all the things they can do on TV.

Harriet concurred. "Me, either." She thought it best to change the subject. "By the way, you're home early."

"It was a boring meeting. Nothing that I needed to vote on. I left early." Charles told them.

"Was Mr. Bellingham OK when you left?" Mama asked slowly and deliberatingly.

"He was fine. He did want to know if he could borrow his lawn edgier back from us." Charles laughed.

Harriet told him, "I was going to tell you to take back all the things we have borrowed from him. Mama didn't see him on the program tonight."

Charles didn't get her meaning at once, "Yes, he was in the second row. Maybe he'd stepped out for a moment."

Harriet patted Mama on the shoulder. "See, Mama. Maybe he had just stepped out for a moment."

Mama wanted to agree but wasn't sure. "Maybe," she reiterated.

In the days that followed, things got back to normal. Giving Mama's TV a name had cleared the air. Mr. Bellingham continued to be hale and hearty. Charles was able to joke about Mama's telly so that they could all enjoy the humor in it, although Mama did not enjoy it as much as she pretended.

After the next Council meeting, when Charles came home, he told them that he had told some of the members about Mama's TV. They suggested that he bring her to the next meeting. Some of them remembered her from the time she served on the Council.

Harriet was aghast. "Charles, you didn't tell them about Mr. Bellingham, did you?" she asked him.

Charles shook his head. "No, of course. I didn't think that would be wise."

Mama, who had been listening added, "That would have been very unwise." Remembering the invitation she was enthusiastic in her acceptance. "I'd love to go with you to the meeting, Charles. Some of them may even remember me. Harriet could go with us,too."

Harriet looked at the calendar and shook her head. "No, I can't. That's the night I promised my friend Ellen that I would help her chaperone the High School Dance. She teaches there and it's her turn to chaperone. Usually one of the other teachers is with her but for some reason can't. I told her I would."

Charles put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "That was very noble of you, my love."

Harriet answered, "I think it will be fun. Besides, I can record the meeting and we can all watch it together later. You two can give me a blow by blow description."

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