Safe Place

I have always found crucifixes to be haunting and beautiful. This giant one I am currently staring at is definitely that. Ms. Rosalyn rests her hand on my shoulder. "What do you think, dear?" She asks me while still gazing upon the crucifix. "It's intense." I tell her. "This is a safe place." She reasures me. "But what exactly is it?" "It's a sanctuary." "But what is it?" "I don't know what you mean." I bite my lip. " Is it a church? Is it a library? Is it a school?" Ms Rosalyn smiles. "It's all of the above." "I guess that makes sense, but I never really liked school so it is hard for me to view that as a sanctuary." "Then we won't visit that place." She tells me. I take a deep breath. "You still have questions?" "Yeah, isn't this offensive?" Ms. Rosalyn squints her eyes. "How?" "How could you have a crucifix in the library? I mean won't someone from another religion complain?" "You are looking too much into this." I shake my head. " No I don't think so." Ms. Rosalyn looks me straight in the eye. "It's only there because that is what you are most familiar with." "Is this all in my head?" "In a sense." I stare off into space. Ms. Rosalyn continues. "Like I said ,this is a safe place. Stay as long as you wish." None of this seems to make any sense except for the word "safe." I take a seat at the steps by the alter. I look down at my hand. I'm disappearing. "What's happening?" I ask Ms. Rosalyn in a shakey voice. "Nothing wrong, you're just not ready to stay." "What?" "It's ok dear, you're just not ready yet." She tries to comfort me and I can see her face becoming bluryer and bluryer until... I am gone. I am in a black void. A black void far away from time and any sense of reality I am familiar with. "Hey, you're blocking the T.V.!" A loud and abrasive voice calls out to me. My sight is regained in that moment. I am at Jeff's place standing in front of his T.V. "Are you deaf? Move?" He shouts out to me again. I turn around to see Jeff lounging on the couch eating cheetos. "Are you gonna move or what?" He asks me again. I move to the side, still stunned. " I found her." I tell him. " Found who?" He asks impatiently. "Your grandmother. Why did you bring me back?" " I didn't do shit." " You must have. Why would you do that?" "Would you calm down? Does it look like I have that kind of ability?" "No it does not." "That's right. Now why don't you do yourself a favor and grab a beer and kick back?" "What about your grandmother?" Jeff shrugs. "You found her, right?" "Yeah." "And she looked fine?" "Yeah." "Then all is well." I shake my head. The jerk may be right. She seemed in good spirits. Though I do wish to return. Not so much for her, but rather, myself.

Shared Magazines

There I was face to face with Ms. Rosalyn. The little old lady who I had been searching for. I had finally found her. Could it be that easy though? Then again, it had been a few months. I guess it wasn't that easy after all. "Hello?" Ms. Rosalyn's voice chimes in and interrupts my train of thought. "Shall I show you around my favorite place?" She asks me. "Ms. Rosalyn, I don't understand. Did I find you or did you find me?" "A little bit of both, but does it really matter?" I shrug. "I guess not." Ms. Rosalyn smiles. "Good, let me show you around." She hangs onto my arm lightly and guides me into the library/church/ school. We walk to the glass off section titled "Adult Learning." Ms Rosalyn opens the door ever so carefully. She turns to me and in a low whisper insists that "We have to be quiet." I wasn't about to make loud noises, but why argue? We creep up behind the man who I thought was Ms.Rosalyn. "This is Guss." She says to me still whispering. Ms. Rosalyn places her hand on Guss' shoulder. Guss jumps up, startled. "I'm sorry, Guss. I just wanted introduce you to my friend." Guss breathes heavily and clutches his chest. He eyes me briefly. "Yeah, we met." He says and then walks away. "He's a man of very few words. Nice though." Ms. Rosalyn says to me as she takes his seat. She pulls out a chair and ushers for me to sit down next to her. I comply. She opens her purse and pulls out a tabloid magazine. " Does this look familiar?" She asks me. My eyes light up. "Yes, I was reading that at the chief's house." Ms. Rosalyn smiles. "I knew this would work." she says to herself. I turn my head slightly. "I don't understand." " Don't you see? This is how I found you." "But how?" Ms. Rosalyn folds her hands. "You see, I concentrated very hard on the text in hopes that you would recieve my message and pick up the magazine." "That's all?" Ms. Rosalyn's mouth drops slightly. "What do you mean "that's all?" this was months long task. I had to get Guss to fill in for me on occasion. Just so I could take a break. But it paid off." Ms. Rosalyn hugs me. "How did you know I would read that?" She grabs my cloth cape. "Your whimsical nature." "You focused on the ad for the x - Ray specs didn't you?" "Guilty. By the way you really don't need those things." "But things look different with them on." Ms Rosalyn inches closer. "Dear, was it the glasses that made everything different or was it you." "I think it was the glasses." Ms Rosalyn nods. "Then if that is what you need, it was the glasses." I slump back in my chair, trying to grasp the depth of what she is saying. Ms. Rosalyn stands up. "Come now, there is still much I have to show you."

A Different kind of Library

He's right that it was the only library on this side of the street. However, I had no idea that it would be blocks and blocks and blocks down the way. I'm lucky I'm in good health. It is an odd shaped library. It's about two stories high with a pointed roof, stained glass windows and a bell. That's right, a bell. One of those big, old fashioned bells that one would see in a school or a church. Not usually on a library. Inside is equally, if not more confusing. There are no librarians in site. Just column after column of book shelves in the center of the room. I walk past the many rows of book shelves to the front of the building. There I am greeted by a large crucifix with three small steps leading up to an alter. At the alter I see two violet candles. It looks as though they were lit not to long ago as smoke still lingers. I scratch my head. I have never been in a church with so many books, and have never been in a library with a crucifix. That's when I heard a school bell ring. I look to my right. A wooden door swings open. I expect to see a bunch of kids all dressed in Catholic school uniforms. Instead they are in regular, street clothes. They are all stomping, screaming, yelling, and running as fast as they can to get out of there. It seems disrespectful , and I want to say something, but I'm not really sure where I am. After all, maybe here it's perfectly normal and ok for them to act like that. So I opt to watch them leave instead. They leave in a snap. I look around once more. There is big room with a glass window labled "Adult Learning." I look through the class. It is not so much a class but rather, a place where the adults go to read in quiet. Many different people of races and ethic backgrounds, all reading in this enclosed area. I look closely, and I see one person who particularly strikes my interest. 80 something, grey, curly hair, reading a magazine. Could it be, could it be Ms. Rosalyn? I can not see her mouth, but it looks like her from the top of her head. It certainly is worth a shot. I open the door slowly as to not make a sound and I creep up the person. "Ms. Rosalyn?" The person takes the magazine away from their face to reveal a much older man. Not Ms. Rosalyn. He gives me a perplexed look. "Sorry, wrong person." I say as I exit the room feeling somewhat defeated. I leave the library/ church/ school. I do feel disappointed, but I went out on a whim and I gave it a shot. For that I feel I am a better person. "Hello, you found me." I hear an older voice say to me. I look down. It's Ms. Rosalyn.

In the Land of the Dinosaurs

The cardboard box led me to a familiar haunt. I am currently in a dark, damp alley. Images of glow in the dark graffiti dinosaurs light my path. T - Rexs, raptors, those weird venom - spitting one's. All the vicious, man - eating one's. I hear someone strike a match behind me. I turn around. I see what looks like the outline of my young artist friend from all those months back. " You looking for me?" He asks as he puffs a cigarette. "I didn't think I was." Trevor picks up a pack of cigarettes that was placed by one of the dinosaurs. " I don't even know why I bother." He says to me while holding the pack. "Were those for me?" I ask, puzzled. "No. Remember,it's my calling card." "Oh shit, that's right." "Fuck, I'm glad we didn't try and come up with super secret hand shake." "Gimme a break, it's been a few months." "Oh yeah, I forget. You're old." He says to me dryly. "Alright. Can we cut the shit? I assume you have some information for me." Trevor smirks. " I do." "And that would be?" "Remember that old lady you were looking for?" "Ms. Rosalyn?" I ask. "Yeah, sure. Anyways I think I found her." "How do you know what she looks like? Did I ever give you a picture of her?" "No, I don't think so." "Then how do you know what she looks like?" "I just do alright." I stare at Trevor blankly. "What, you came this far. Might as well hear what I have to say." "Fine, where do you think you saw her?" " I SAW her at the library on Madison." "What's the name of the library?" " I don't know." I roll my eyes. "What it's the only library on this side of the street." "Ok, what was she doing at the library?" "Reading a book, what the fuck do you think she was doing?" I bite my lip, and try to stay calm. "And what makes you think I'll be able to spot her there?" "Because she's been there every time I've been there." I take a deep breath and try to swallow this "information." "So, are you gonna go to the library now?" I don't respond. Trevor senses my disdain. "Fuck, what do I care? I'm just telling you what I see. like you wanted." Trevor takes a drag and walks off. Damn it, he's right. He's the local eyes and ears, but I'm the one who collects the information. Even if it may lead no where. Time to check out the library I guess.

Boxed In

I tear open the package as if it were Christmas morning. Nothing was relished. Inside was empty. No X - Ray Specs. Not even any styrofoam packaging. I couldn't believe it. Could they have made a mistake? I tipped the box and crawled inside. Surely they had to be in there somewhere. As soon as I get inside the box I hear this raspy, grainy, old man voice scream out "Get out." I throw off the box. I look around. Not a soul in sight. I shrug to myself. Perhaps I'm hearing things. I decide to continue my search for the X - Ray specs and climb back in the box. The voice shouts again. " I said get out." I hop out of the box and look behind me. Still no one. Perhaps someone is watching me, but I have X - Ray specs to find. I don't climb in this time though. I merely reach my arm in. The voice cries out a third time. "Are you deaf? I said get out." "Where are you?" "Right in front of you." I back out of the box. "That's more like it." The voice says to me in a more calm manner. "I don't know what is going on but I just want my X - Ray specs" "That's no reason to break into someone's home." " I didn't realize this was your house." "Well, it is, and you really really muddied up the rug." "I'm sorry." I say to the voice somewhat sheepishly. " "That's alright, I'll let you in." I hear a knife cutting into the box. "Come on in." It shouts to me. I start to crawl in through new opening on the side. "No, not like that. You have to climb in through the top and then exit through the side." "These specs better be worth it." I think to my self as I climb in through the top. I get down on my hands and exit the box. As soon as I leave I can feel my body becoming invisible. I'm not sure what I am at this point. If I am just a floating consciousness or what.All I can see is a smokey abyss as I feel myself falling gracefully towards the ground. Eventually a man with a thin grey grey beard and a long Harpo Marx trench coat comes into view. He stands beside a lemonade stand, and appears to be drinking his own product. "Took you long enough." He shouts to me. He puts out his hand. "The name's Henry." I think I shake his hand, but I'm sure. It's hard to tell when you can't see your body. "What can I do for you ?" He asks me. "I'd like my X - Ray Specs." "Oh yeah, lemme see where I put them." Henry walks behind the Lemonade stand. He rummages through some boxes. "Ah, here they are." He holds up the specs and walks over to me. "It's a waste of money if you ask me ,but to each his own." I grab the specs and place them on my invisible face. Henry and his Lemonade stand disappear. Meanwhile I can now see myself. "Incredible." I think to myself. I then take the specs off. Henry appears and I dissapear once more. "See they're no good." Henry says looking directly at me. "No, they're amazing. I mean you disappeared, but I could see myself." " Sounds like reverse glasses to me, but hey if that's your thing." Henry pulls out his pocket watch. "I'm glad we could get that cleared up, but if there is nothing else I can help you with I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." I look around for an exit. Henry smirks and pulls a box out of no where. "Not that way , this way." He then cuts a hole on the side of the box. I walk towards the box and prepare to enter.

Fun With Tabloids

I glance at my wrist watch. 9 A.M. I think it is safe to say the chief took off with out me this morning. It is unusually quiet today. The only noise I hear is from the crackling logs in a nearby fireplace. I look down to see myself wraped in a blanket. Obviously it got significantly colder last night. I don't understand these weather patters. I probably never will either, and that's ok. I grab one of the tabloid magazines off of the coffee table. Sure it's trash, but damn it, it's fun trash. I leaf through to see if I can find any new information. Pretty much everything I expected. This person is pregnant.These people got married.These people split. This person is hot.This person used to be hot, but is now ugly. You know, the usual stuff. However, I noticed on the last page a teeny tiny add for X - Ray specs. It said "Call now and we will ship it right away. FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!" The ten year old boy inside me was screaming "Get it! Get!" So of course I got my cell out and ordered it. Now I know some of you may be asking "What are you gonna do with X - Ray specs?" To which I respond "What won't you do with X - Ray Specs? Haven't you ever wanted to look a the bones in your hand?" So I called the number for my X - Ray specs, and before I could hang up I hear DING DONG at the front door. I open the front door, and see package that is larger than life placed on the welcome mat. It is about three feet in height. Complete overkill for what I assume is a very little thing. I don't care though because I am about to entertain a childhood whim.

Dinner With the Chief

We reached the end of the stream. I was extremely grateful for that. My body felt as if it could take no more. I needed a nice long rest. The sleep of a thousand sleeps. All the firefighters were starting to look weary at this point as well. They secured the boat to a little post and we got out. The chief exited last. I watched as the all waved goodbye to one another and walked into their separate homes. Each house facing the water, and each house placed right next to the other one. It was as if they lived in their own village. "Where are you off to now?" The chief asks me. "I don't know." "Join me for dinner?" "That would be nice." I say to him. We stroll over to his house. In my mind I expect it to be grand because he is the chief, but it is no bigger or fancier than any one else's. It is a ranch that faces the water, just like all the other firefighters. The only difference is a HOME SWEET HOME door mat. "Welcome to my abode." He says as he opens the front door. There is a slight disorder to his home. The T.V. is blasting, old tabloid magazines are thrown around, and it still smells like yesterday's dinner. I don't mind any of this though. If anything it makes him more human. "The roast beef is done, let's go to the kitchen and eat." He says to me excitedly. "It's already done?" "Of course it is. we put out the fires and came home. Now all that's left to do is eat." "Did someone make it?" "What do you mean?" "Never mind. let's go eat." Maybe what I said doesn't exactly make him more human, but it does make him more interesting. The dinner was delicious. The roast beef was cooked to perfection and we had a nice red whine. "How was the food?" "It was wonderful, thank you." The chief stares off in to space for a moment. "Where are you from?" He asks me. "I don't know if you have heard of the town, but it's a little suburb of Chicago." "Chicago? I think I have been there once. It means stinky onion, right?" I scratch my head. "I think you're right actually." "You don't smell like an onion though." I'm not exactly sure how to respond. "Thanks?" The chief continues. "You smell like you are full of life. Are you full of life?" "I definitely try to be." "That's good." The chief gets up and clears the table. I attempt to help, but ushers me to sit down. It always feels slightly off sitting while watching someone else clean, but I comply. He puts the dishes in the sink. "It's time for me to go to bed." He declares. "You can sleep on the couch." "Thank you." The chief starts to exit the kitchen then stops himself. "You want to come with us tomorrow?" "Maybe." I tell him. "Well, if you are interested we leave at six." The chief then exits the kitchen. "That sure is early in my book, but maybe. Maybe."