This is a piece that I'm not sure what to do with. When I sat down to write, I had in mind to write another children's story, but I had also been reading about a contest that offered a challenge to write something "unsettling". Somehow, those two ideas merged into this writing. It will need some re-writing to be useful, as the protagonist's age seems to change as the story continues, but I don't have a clear idea where to go from here. It could serve as a prologue to set up an adult story, or it could continue with the protagonist remaining a child, keeping it in children's literature. Any ideas or suggestions?
“But Mom, I don’t want to go to bed yet.” “I know, but it’s bedtime.” “Are you going to bed?” “As soon as I can, yes, but I have some work to complete first.” “What kind of work?” “Just some grown-up stuff. Nothing for you to worry about.” “Well, maybe I have some work to complete too.” “Oh really? Like what?” “Just some kid stuff. Nothing for you to worry about.” She smiled. “Whatever it is, it will have to wait ‘til morning. Right now, you need to get to bed.” “But Mom—” “No more buts. Get moving.” “I’m going.” Randy mumbled and headed for the bathroom. “And don’t you dawdle in there. I want you in bed in five minutes.” “Fine!” Randy closed the door and took his toothbrush from the holder. He reached for the toothpaste, but it wasn’t in the slot. “Mom!” He called out. “There’s no toothpaste!” “Yes, there is. I just opened a new tube not ten minutes ago. Stop stalling!” Randy reached up and felt inside the cup in the center of the toothbrush holder, but it was empty too. “It’s not here!” His mom opened the door and looked at the toothbrush holder. “That was a brand new tube. You better not have emptied it into the sink and wasted it,” she said as she peered into the cup. “I didn’t! All I did was pull out my toothbrush and saw that the toothpaste slot was empty. I tried the cup but it wasn’t there either.” She checked the wastebasket under the sink, but the tube wasn’t there. Then she pulled the drawer by the sink all the way out and looked through the assortment of items inside. Razors, shaving cream, nail clippers, comb, hairbrush, rubber washers of various sizes, but no toothpaste. “Honey!” she called out, “Did you take the toothpaste?” Randy’s Dad called back from the living room. “No!” She looked at Randy. “This better not be your idea of a joke.” He shook his head. “Turn out your pockets.” He turned out his pockets while saying, “Honest, Mom, I didn’t do anything with it. It just wasn’t here.” She looked through his pajamas and anywhere else it could have been hidden, but didn’t find it. “If you’ve hidden it, you’d better come clean right now. If I find out later that you are responsible for this you’ll be grounded for a week.” Randy shook his head again. “Honest.” She frowned. “Just wet your toothbrush and brush your teeth anyway. I’ll have to get more tomorrow.” Randy turned the water on and held his toothbrush under it while his mom left the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind her. She went down to the living room and sat down next to her husband. “That was a brand new tube. We can’t afford to buy a new tube every day.” His eyes were glued to the TV. “Uh-huh.” “Are you listening to me?” He turned to her. “I’m sorry, no, I wasn’t. What did you say?” “I said we can’t afford to buy a new tube of toothpaste every day.” “Why would we?” “Because the brand new tube I just put out is gone.” “Where’d it go?” She shook her head. “That’s the problem. I don’t know where it went.” “What did Randy say?” “He doesn’t know either.” “You’re sure he didn’t hide it?” “I don’t think so. I threatened him with a week’s grounding if I find out he was hiding it.” He nodded. “That usually works. You’re sure you put it out.” “Positive. I put it out when I brushed my own teeth.” “So there wasn’t any left in the old tube.” “There wasn’t an old tube. I assumed that whoever emptied it tossed it out, but come to think of it, the empty tube wasn’t in the wastebasket and I haven’t emptied it since trash day.” “So what are you saying, there are two tubes missing?” “Apparently.” She heard Randy coming out of the bathroom and called, “Randy, come down here.” “Yeah?” He asked as he entered the room. She asked, “Did you empty the old tube of toothpaste and throw it away?” “No.” “Well, somebody must have and it wasn’t your father or me.” “Honest, I didn’t do anything with the toothpaste. I just went in to brush my teeth and it wasn’t there. Why won’t you believe me?” His father switched off the TV. “It’s not that we don’t believe you, son, it’s just that neither of us removed the toothpaste and it’s not as if someone would break into the house to steal it. So that only leaves you.” Tears welled in the corners of Randy’s eyes. “But I didn’t do it.” “Okay, son, we believe you, but remember that there are consequences for lying, so if you are, you’d better say so now.” “I’m not lying! I didn’t take the stupid toothpaste!” “Okay, the matter’s closed. Go on to bed.” Randy looked back and forth at his parents. “Honest, I didn’t do anything with the toothpaste since I brushed my teeth yesterday. And then I put it back in the slot. I didn’t take it.” His mom saw the earnestness in his eyes. “Okay, Randy, like your dad said, the matter is closed. Now, off to bed.” “But you still don’t believe me!” Randy stormed up to his bedroom and slammed the door behind him. He threw himself on the bed, crying. “I didn’t do it. I didn’t!” “Of course you didn’t, I did.” Randy jumped up and looked around the room. “Who said that?” “I did.” Randy looked around the room again. “Where are you?” “Right here.” Randy looked under the bed, and behind the drapes. “Right where?” “Right here, on the bed.” “Why can’t I see you?” “Because I don’t want you to.” Randy looked over every inch of the bed. “Why did you take the toothpaste?” “Because I wanted to.” “But my parents think I did it.” “So?” “So? So I didn’t, but they don’t believe me.” “Not seeing a problem.” “They don’t believe me.” “You said that already.” “But I’m not lying.” “You said that too.” “Arrrgh!” Randy jumped on his bed swinging his arms, trying to hit whoever it was that was talking to him. He went from one end to the other, not connecting with anything, or anyone. He sat down in the middle of the bed, breathing hard. “Do you feel better now?” The voice sounded like it was right next to him. “No!” “Do you want to try to hit me again?” “Yeah!” “You can try, but you’ll never be able to.” “How come?” “You just can’t.” “Who are you?” “I can’t tell you that.” “What are you?” “I can’t tell you that either.” “How come?” The voice laughed. “I can’t tell you that either.” “Why do you want toothpaste?” “I don’t want toothpaste.” “Then why did you take it?” “I already answered that.” “Were did you put it?” “You’ll see.” “What does that mean?” “It means you’ll find out.” “What do you mean ‘I’ll find out’, where did you put it?” The voice did not respond. “Are you still there?” “I am.” “Why didn’t you answer?” “I already answered that question.” “No you didn’t. You just said I’d find out. That’s not the same as answering the question.” “Hmmm, you might be right. But it’s the only reply I’ll give.” “Then go away. I have to go to sleep and I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” “OK.” Randy stretched out on the bed, turning his back on where he thought the voice was coming from. He closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, but he was still too angry. After several minutes he sat back up. “Are you still there?” There was no reply. “Fine, I didn’t want to talk to you anyway.” There was still no reply so he put his head back on the pillow and this time was able to get to sleep. +++ “Randall James Borden! Get out of that bed! You’re in a heap of trouble, mister!” Randy opened his eyes to see his parents standing by his bed. Both of them looking very upset. “What’d I do?” He asked. “Don’t pretend you don’t know! It might be your idea of a joke, but it is not funny!” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “It’s bad enough that you took the toothpaste and lied about it, but to empty the whole tube into the toaster... You’re going to have to pay for a new one with your own money.” “But I didn’t do it.” His dad shook his head. “You’ve gone too far, Randy. Don’t make it worse by continuing to lie about it.” “I’m not lying. Someone else did it to get me in trouble. I talked to him last night and he admitted it.” “You’re making things worse. You know you’re not allowed to call your friends after seven.” “I didn’t. I talked to him here in my room.” “Talked to who?” “He wouldn’t say his name. But he admitted taking the toothpaste and said I would find out what he did with it later. Well, I guess I know now what he meant.” “You’re saying someone was in your room last night?” “Yes, and he’s the one who took the toothpaste and ruined the toaster.” “What did he look like?” “I couldn’t see him. I only heard his voice.” “What do you mean you couldn’t see him? Your light was still on when I checked on you last night.” “He was invisible or somethin’.” Randy’s mom looked at his dad and rolled her eyes, then turned back to Randy. “That’s enough. You’re grounded for two weeks. One for taking the toothpaste and ruining the toaster and one for lying. And you have to pay for a new toaster out of your allowance.” “But I didn’t do it and I’m not lying.” “Not another word or you’ll get a third week. Now get dressed and come down and have breakfast.” Randy looked from his mom to his dad with pleading eyes, but his dad shook his head slightly and followed her out of the room. Randy went to the dresser, took out some clothes and threw them on the bed, saying “I didn’t do it!” He stopped, half expecting the voice to say something, but there was only the birds, chirping outside the widow. He changed into his clothes and headed for the bathroom. While he was washing his hands he looked at the empty slot where the toothpaste was supposed to be. “I didn’t do it,” he said again. As he came down the stairs he sniffed a funny odor, kind of minty, but burnt, and he realized that they must have used the toaster before discovering the toothpaste was inside. He slowed his step, dreading going into the kitchen and facing the disappointment on his parents’ faces. He walked quietly and peered into the room before entering. Only his mom was there, standing at the counter. He glanced at the clock and figured his dad must have already left for work His mother turned to him as he entered and held out two black pieces of toast. “I have half a mind to make you eat this toast. But toothpaste isn’t meant to be swallowed.” “I didn’t do it.” Randy muttered. “What’s that?” “Nothing,” he said a little louder. “That’s what I thought. Sit down and have some cereal.” She put a glass of orange juice on the table, next to the bowl in front of his usual seat. Randy sat down and reached for the box of cereal. His arm bumped the glass of orange juice and it started to tip, but he grabbed it with his other hand and managed to only spill a little bit. “Pay attention!” his mother said, and reached for the roll of paper towels. “It was an accident. I only spilled a little.” “You wouldn’t have spilled any if you’d paid attention to what you were doing. Or are you going to blame this on your invisible friend, too?” “No! And he’s not my friend.” “Here.” She tore a sheet from the roll and handed it to him. “I don’t know how you expect anyone to believe such a story.” “It’s not a story. It’s the truth,” he replied softly, wiping up the spill. “If you have something to say, say it out loud.” Randy was on the verge of tears again. “I said it’s not a story! It’s the truth! I don’t care if you ground me for the rest of my life. That’s what happened.” His mother stared at him for several seconds, then sighed. “Eat your breakfast, then you can go back to your room.” + + + “Hello, Randy, I’m Dr. Leeds. Would you like to have a seat?” Randy shrugged his shoulders and sat down in the small upholstered chair the doctor pointed to. “Do you know why you’re here, Randy?” Dr. Leeds asked. “’Cause my folks think I’m crazy.” “They don’t think you’re crazy, Randy, but they do think you’re troubled and they are very concerned.” Randy frowned. “Well, Randy, I need you to understand that you can be completely open and honest with me. Everything you say to me in this room is private, and won’t be shared with anyone. Not your parents, or your teachers, or anyone else. Do you understand?” “I guess so.” “You can tell me anything and it will just stay between us, OK?” “OK.” “So is there anything you’d like to say?” Randy shook his head. “Your mom says you’re hearing voices.” “Not voices, just one voice.” “Okay, Randy, tell me about the one voice.” “What’s the difference? You won’t believe me anymore than they do.” “Well, I heard your parents’ version of the story. I’d like to hear yours.” Randy looked at Dr. Leeds for few seconds before responding, “What did they tell you?” “They told me you took the toothpaste and squeezed it into the toaster, but that you refuse to take responsibility for it and are blaming it on some invisible friend.” “He’s not my friend! I hate him! I hate him!” Randy yelled. Dr. Leeds waited for him to calm down before asking, “Did you take the toothpaste, Randy?” “No!” “Where did you first hear the voice?” “In my room.” “Was that before or after the toothpaste went missing?” “After. I went in to get ready for bed and there was no toothpaste. I told my mom and she said she just put in a new tube, but I couldn’t find it. She accused me of hiding it, but I didn’t and I said so. Dad said he believed me, but I could tell he didn’t.” “And what were you feeling when you went to your room?” “I was mad ’cause they wouldn’t believe me.” “Think back. Try to remember what you were thinking. There are only three of you living in the house. Do you think your mom or dad took the toothpaste?” “No.” “But did you think so then? When you were on your way to your room. Did you think one of them had taken it then?” “No.” “You didn’t even suspect them?” “No.” “What did you think happened to it?” “I don’t know.” “But at the time, what were you thinking? Before you heard the voice, did you think one of them had taken it then?” “No.” “Why not? There are only three of you. If you didn’t take it, wouldn’t it stand to reason that one of your parents must have?” “I guess. But I wasn’t thinking about that. I just knew it wasn’t me, and they were blaming me for it.” “I see. So you were feeling betrayed when you went to your room.” “I guess.” “So what did you do when you got to your room?” “Nothing.” “Nothing?” “I just went to bed, and then the voice said he’d taken the toothpaste.” “I see. Did he say why?” “Just ’cause he wanted to.” “I see.” “I think he did it just so I’d get in trouble.” “Why would he do that?” “I don’t know. ’Cause he hates me.” “And why would he hate you?” Randy shrugged. “Have you ever heard this voice before then?” “No.” “Since then?” “No. Not since I told him to go away.” “And have there been any other unusual incidents? Anything else gone missing or damaged?” “No.” “Do you think the voice will return?” “I don’t know. I hope not.” Dr. Leeds wrote something in her notepad, then looked at Randy again. “Have you ever lied to your parents before?” “I’m not lying!” “I’m not accusing you. I simply want to know if you’ve ever lied to them before.” Randy glared at her a moment before calming down and answering. “Yeah.” “Tell me about that.” “I took some cookies and when my mom saw they were gone she asked if I took ‘em, and I said no.” “And what happened?” “I ate ‘em.” “No, I mean what did your parents do about it?” “My mom yelled at me.” “So, she knew you were lying.” “Yeah, I had chocolate on my face from the cookies. I was only five.” Dr. Leeds smiled. “Go on.” “She kept going on about how she was more upset that I lied than she was about the cookies, and when Dad got home he started it all over again.” “Did you receive any punishment?” “I wasn’t allowed to have any dessert for a week, but I had to sit and watch them eat theirs.” “I see, and how did that make you feel?” “Stupid. Mom said I wouldn’t have been punished at all, if I hadn’t lied about it.” “And you haven’t lied since then?” “Just the good kind.” “Good kind?” “Yeah, you know. Telling people you don’t know what their Christmas present is, even when you do. Stuff like that.” “I see.” Dr. Leeds nodded and jotted something else on her pad. “Have you ever been in trouble at school?” “Couple times.” “What for?” “One time, Tommy Blane brought some firecrackers to school and we were lightin’ ’em and tossin’ ’em in the toilet.” “I see. Did the toilet break?” “No, it just made a huge mess and got the floor all wet.” “And how did you get caught?” “Eddie Pelan snitched on us.” “So it was just his word against yours and Tommy’s?” “I guess, but I fessed up. Principle Harden made me clean the bathroom, but he didn’t suspend me or anything.” “I see, and what did your parents do?” “They gave me a lecture on the dangers of fireworks and proper behavior at school, but they said that what Principle Harden made me do was punishment enough.” Dr. Leeds nodded and wrote something else in her pad. “So, what was another time you got in trouble?” “I was fightin’ with Eddie.” “Because he snitched on you?” Randy shook his head. “No, ‘cause he took Julie’s cell phone and wouldn’t give it back.” “I see. Who is Julie?” “Julie Lindley. She’s in my class. Eddie took her phone and was teasing her with it. It was kinda funny at first, but when she started to cry I told him to give it back. He said ‘make me’, so I did. The principle said he understood that I was trying to do the right thing, but that fighting wasn’t the answer. I got suspended for a couple days.” “And your parents? Did they punish you too?” “Kinda. I was grounded until I was allowed back to school, but it was no biggie ‘cause I can’t go anywhere on school nights anyway.” “I see.” “You say that a lot.” “What?” “You say, ‘I see’ a lot.” Dr. Leeds smiled, “I guess I do.” “Just so you know. It’s kind of annoying.” “I can see how it might be. Thank you for telling me. I’ll try not to say it so often.” “It’s OK, I just thought you should know.” “So, have you been in any other trouble?” Randy thought about it a few moments. “Not really. I get yelled at for stuff like talking too much and running in the halls, but I don’t really get in trouble for it.” “I s... oops, sorry. What kind of grades do you get?” “Mostly ‘exceeds’, but sometimes just ‘meets’.” “Have you ever gotten a ‘does not meet expectations’?” Randy shook his head. Dr. Leeds made another note, then asked, “What about at home, do you ever get in trouble there?” “Sometimes. Like when I get home late, or don’t do my chores.” “And what is the punishment for these things?” “Grounding. It’s almost always grounding.” “Do you get grounded a lot?” “No, but whenever they want to punish me for something, I get grounded.” “Randy, many parents use grounding as a means of punishment, but they don’t all implement it the same way. So, what exactly does it mean for you to be grounded?” “It means I can’t go anywhere, except school, and I can’t call anyone or go on-line.” “Are you allowed to have friends over?” He shook his head again. “Not when I’m grounded. About all I can do is watch TV and read.” “What about video games?” He shrugged. “I can’t play any on-line games, just off-line, but those are lame.” “So, being grounded is a pretty severe punishment?” “I guess.” “When you get grounded, do you think you deserve it?” “I guess, if it’s my fault.” “What do you mean?” “Well, I didn’t take the toothpaste or put it in the toaster. I shouldn’t a been grounded for that.” “OK, but what about other times you’ve been grounded?” “Well, one time Mrs. Blane was bringing me home and she stopped at the store and made me late. It wasn’t my fault, but Mom grounded me anyways.” “That doesn’t seem fair.” “Yeah, that’s what I said, but Mom said it was my responsibility to be home on time, no matter what, and that if I can’t count on my friends’ parents to get me home on time, then maybe I shouldn’t play with them.” Dr. Leeds smiled slightly. “What does your mom think of Tommy?” “She doesn’t like him much. Calls him a ‘bad influence’, but Tommy’s OK.” She nodded. “Would you say, in most cases, that you deserve it when you get grounded?” “I guess.” “And does the fear of getting grounded keep you from doing things that you think you might get in trouble for?” “Oh yeah. I hate being grounded.” “Have you ever done anything, knowing that you would be grounded for it?” “No. I’m not stupid.” “No, Randy, you’re definitely not stupid.” Dr. Leeds opened the file folder that she was holding behind the notepad and looked through the papers it contained. She stopped on one, read through it quickly, then looked back at Randy. “I see your punishment ends tomorrow. Are you still mad at your parents for grounding you?” “Yeah, a little. But I really just want them to believe me. I don’t want to get grounded again if that voice comes back and does something else.” Dr. Leeds wrote something else on her notepad, then closed it. She stood up and extended her hand. “Well, Randy, I’m glad I got to meet you and have this little talk.” Randy got up and shook her hand. “So, am I crazy?” She smiled. “I don’t think so, do you?” He shook his head. “Good.” She ushered him to the door. “I would like to have a few words with your parents. Would you mind waiting in the lobby while we talk?” He shrugged. “I guess.” She led him back out to the lobby where Randy’s parents were waiting. As soon as the door opened, Randy’s mom was on her feet. “Well, Doctor?” “Randy and I had a nice chat and now I’d like to talk to the two of you.” She held the door open and motioned for them to accompany her. Randy sat in the chair his mother had been sitting in and watched them go. On the table next to him was a magazine, the same one he’d seen in the dentist’s office. He picked it up and looked through the pages. Most of the puzzles and mazes were already filled in and all the hidden pictures were circled, so he skipped them and read the comics. He’d started reading an article about snakes when the door from the hall to Dr. Leeds’ office opened. His mother came out crying, and his father had his arm around her. Dr. Leeds was chasing behind them. “I really think you should let me finish, Mr. and Mrs. Borden.” Randy’s Dad looked back over his shoulder. “You are finished, Doctor!” He turned to Randy. “C’mon, Randy, we’re going home.” |