first line Prompt #318 - First Line

[comicfan]

“I’ve wanted to do that since … forever.”

[joann414]

Easter Pranks and Surprises

 

"I've wanted to do that since ... forever."

 

"Do what KC?  Sit down.  You're blocking the breeze."  Cassie sat at the patio table painting her toenails, drinking a beer while she waited for Jo Ann to get home.  She looked up to see KC putting charcoal in the grill.  "Glad you finally found something useful to do, but what's so special about putting charcoal in a grill?"

 

KC looked at her, knowing she was being a smartass.  "You know that's not what I mean.  I'm talking about the big ugly plastic bunny that Mr. Simms puts in his front yard every year.  He has to stake it down because it's so tall that a strong wind would blow it over."

 

"So, what's so special about that ugly plastic bunny.  He's put it in his front yard every Easter since we were kids.  I always thought it was a little odd since he never had any kids of his own, and for years hated Christmas until Jo Ann talked him into decorating again a few years back."  Cassie drank the remainder of her beer, reaching into the ice chest beside her chair for another.  Holding it out to KC, she got her one, shutting the top of the chest.

 

"Well," KC sniggered. "I stole it last night and hid it from him."

 

"Good grief!  When are you going to grow up?  Jo Ann is going to kill you if she finds out.  You know how she is about our neighbors.  They're older, and she tries to accommodate them, not aggravate them."  Cassie sighed loudly, personally hoping Jo Ann didn't find out.  She wanted to have a nice quiet evening for once.

 

KC huffed, stomping to the shed to get lighter.  He muttered to himself, "Can't even have any friggin fun.  Damn rabbit scared the kiddies anyway."  He kicked a pine cone in frustration.  Opening the door of the shed, the plastic bunny looked even bigger, confined to the small space.  "Peter old buddy, you better not get me in trouble, or you won't be hopping any bunny trails next year."  He grabbed the lighter, sticking his tongue out at the plastic animal, slamming the shed's door behind him.  Hearing a thud, he giggled, imagining the bunny face down in the dusty floor.

 

***

 

Pulling into the driveway, Jo Ann glanced over to see Mr. Simms wringing his hands as he paced his front yard.  Stopping her car about halfway up the drive, she got out and walked toward the almost feeble man.

 

Alarmed when she saw tears rolling down the old man's face, she asked quietly,  "Mr. Simms, are you alright?  Has something happened?"

 

The old man looked pitiful when he turned, noticing her for the first time.   "My Easter bunny... someone stole it.  You remember the one.  I found it almost thirty years ago, the day before my wife and son were killed in the wreck.  It was at a garage sale and I bought it, bringing it home, and putting a fresh coat of paint on it, in my shop where little Tommy wouldn't see it.  It was dry the next day.  I'd just finished putting it up in the front yard that evening when the police drove up to tell me about my wife and son."

 

Jo Ann hid her anger at whoever the insensitive idiot was that had taken such a treasured possession from the old man.  Patting the man's arm gently, she said, "I'll find your bunny.  I promise.  KC and Cassie will be glad to help.  Now, go in out of this heat and quit fretting.  We'll let you know when we find it."  Hoping she could live up to her promise, she watched the slumped shouldered old man make his way slowly inside.

 

KC was fixing to light the coals in the grill when Jo Ann rounded the corner of he house.  "Don't light that yet.  We've got more important things to do."

 

Cassie looked at Jo Ann, getting up to walk toward her.  "What's wrong?  You look upset."

 

"I don't  know if I'm upset, angry or murderous.  Someone took Mr. Simms's bunny from his yard.  He's put that thing up in memory of his wife and son he lost on Easter almost thirty years ago.  I told him we'd find it, and I intend to find the imbecile and rip him to pieces for such an insensitive act of stupidity. 

 

Cassie looked at KC, not surprised at the tears of shame and sadness in his eyes, hating himself for what he thought was a small act of vengeance.  She began to worry for both him and Jo Ann.  "We'll find it.  I just know it."  Trying to reassure KC with her eyes, Cassie waited for Jo Ann to say more.

 

"Where do you think we should start?  Walk down both sides of the street or what?"  Jo Ann looked tired and worried. "I've got to change first.  I'll be right back."

 

After Jo Ann got in the house, KC said, "I'll tell her.  She's tired and doesn't need to be going on a wild goose chase.  I'm just so ashamed."  Tears flowed down KC's face, making Cassie's own big blue eyes fill.

 

"We'll get some fresh paint and brighten the bunny up a little before returning it, and you can say you were just perking it up a bit for him.  Do you wanna do that?  We can't lie to Jo.  We've got to be truthful with her."  Cassie waited for KC to decide how he wanted to solve the problem.

 

KC shook his head slowly.  "I agree with perking it up, but I want t tell the truth.  It's too important not to.  I'm just so sorry for what I did.  I didn't know Cass."

 

Cassie hugged KC, proud of him for being truthful, but feeling so sorry for him at that moment.

 

"What's going on?"

 

Both of them jumped at the sound of Jo Ann's question, her tiredness making her voice sound harsh.  "We've got something to tell you."  Cassie spoke first.

 

"No, Cassie doesn't have anything to tell you.  I do."  KC spoke clearly, and remorsefully at the same time, refusing to convey anything to Jo Ann but the truth of what he'd done. He told the whole story, leaving nothing out.  "I'm so sorry, an I'll tell Mr. Simms what I did.  Cass has offered to help me brighten up the bunny a little before returning it.  Do you think that'll be ok?"

 

Jo Ann stood stoically, wanting to hug the nervous, shameful young man in front of her.  "Well, get to it.  I'll run to the Crafts Center and get some paint while you two gently wash all the dust and dirt off.  It should be dry enough to paint when I get back."

 

Two hours later, the clean white bunny rabbit stood proud, the inside of it's ears freshly painted light pink, it lips a little darker pink, making it's white buck teeth seem even whiter with their new coat of paint.  It's glaringly white tail sat proudly against it's butt, the whole decoration seeming to gleam with a proud glow, boasting it's new coat that would make the children stop and stare to admire it.

 

Knock. Knock. Knock

 

Mr. Simms slowly made it to his back door, wondering who'd be knocking on it at this time of evening, the day before Easter.  Opening it a crack, he made a happy noise when he saw the large beautiful, plastic rabbit grinning at him, KC peeking around it's side. 

 

"Happy Easter, Mr. Simms."  KC felt tears prick his eyes once again when the old man broke into sobs, hugging him and then the big plastic yard ornament. 

 

"Thank you so much.  Did you re-paint it before returning it?.

 

KC braced himself, glancing behind him, gaining courage from Jo Ann and Cassie who smiled encouragingly at him.

 

He stood tall as he told Mr. Simms what he'd done, offering no excuses for his actions.  After he finished his story, including the two girls help with restoring the bunny's new look, he stood, waiting for the old man to scream at him in anger.  What seemed minutes, but was only seconds passed.

 

"I forgive you and I promise before I let his image fade again, I'll expect you to perk him up.  After all, he keeps my memories fresh in this old feeble mind."  He than held his hand out to KC.  The two men took the bunny to the front yard, and staked it to the ground to await Easter morning.

 

***

 

Easter morning dawned crisp and beautiful, it's sunny blue skies welcoming the exciting day for the young children in the neighborhood.  When KC opened the front door to get the paper, he could hear laughter coming from neighboring houses as kids darted across their yards hunting the brightly colored eggs.  So engrossed in the activities, he tripped over the basket sitting on the stoop.  It was colored in purple foil so it's contents was not visible to the eye.  A card with his name hung on the ribbon tied around the basket.  He picket it up and hurried back into the house.

 

"Whatcha got?"  Cassie looked up from her coffee she was drinking and the homemade cinnamon roll she was eating.

 

"Someone left this out front for me.  I wonder who it is from."  He tore the purple paper from around the basket, and giggled.  "Well, looky here.  Someone knows what KC loves."  He cooed and giggled more as he looked at the items in the artificial grass.  There was a pair of glittering purple earrings in the shape of a heart.  Also, he found a bright sparkling pink feather boa just like the one he'd lost and spent months trying to find another like it.  Among a few candy items, he found a strawberry flavored sucker shaped like a penis.  He opened it and put it in his mouth as he rummaged on.  Pulling out more cellophane, he found a black silk garter with a purple glittery bow that matched the earrings.  When he got to the bottom, he found a card.  Opening it, he read it aloud to the two curious girls flanking him on each side.

 

Dear KC

The Easter Bunny heard you did a very nice thing.  So, I just thought I'd let you know, "Yes, KC, there is an Easter Bunny."

 

KC threw the card down and ran out the front door.  There standing in his front yard was Mr. Simms, dressed as the Easter Bunny, a large white basket on his arm, handing out candy to the kids.  As if he could feel KC watching him, he turned and looked at him.

 

"Hi KC.  Heard the Easter Bunny was seen at your place this morning.  Did he leave anything interesting?  They say he's like Santa.  He knows everything."  The old man laughed gleefully, and turned back to the excited children.

Edited April 21, 2014 by joann414

[K.C.]

I think JoAnn was drinking when she wrote this!!

[Slytherin]

Short prompt, great.. I am sooooo tired of reading long prompts, this is short and sweet - Good job, Jo Ann !

[joann414]

I think JoAnn was drinking when she wrote this!!

I went back an edited out some of my mistakes, thank you.   Of course, you make me act that way at times.

I don't think you two read the whole thing.  I just finished it.   I accidentally posted very prematurely.  

Edited April 21, 2014 by joann414

[Slytherin]

That was better, Jo Ann   I'm glad the Easter Bunny was returned to his owner   Bad K.C

[K.C.]

Geeeez, stealing bunny from an old guy isn't bad enough but his wife and son die too?   I'm glad it had a happy ending. I was worried that I would be flogged by the old geezer across the street! LOL

[Caz Pedroso]

^{Here's my take}

^{https://www.gayauthors.org/story/cazpedroso/promptsfor2014/4}

Edited April 24, 2014 by Cazpedroso

[Ron]

The Goodbye Garden

 

"I've wanted to do that since . . . forever."

 

"What's that?" I called out. I tried making it sound as if I was interested but truthfully, I wanted to groan the words; Brian had a habit—or rather, a long history—of not pursuing projects once having begun them. I suspected this was going to be yet another of those pursuits. Although, if I was to be honest, a project, completed or otherwise would be preferable to his other, more recent and painful activity.

 

"Gardening, Tommy."

 

He stood in the kitchen doorway, too handsome for his own good, and probably too handsome for mine. I held up a finger and finished the bite of bagel before washing it down with my morning cup of mocha-java.

 

"Gardening? I moved to the city to avoid gardens, Brian. That's part of the reason I bought the condo." Getting close to gardens of any sizable area involved working through an unavoidable feeling of apprehension before I could step into them. I felt they were better dodged than attempted.

 

Brian offered me an uneven smile and an off-side turn of the head. "I know. Your mom told me why. She also told me not to bring it up, that you would be . . . difficult about it."

 

"Really! When did you two have this discussion about me?" I was not going to be difficult.

 

 

 

You can read the rest of the story here, The Goodbye Garden.

[thaddeus2]

Prompt 318

 

… Forever

 

"I've wanted to do that since ... forever."

 

The stunned look on Tucker's face made me smile. It even wanted to make me laugh.

 

"Wha? Huh? Why'd you kiss me?"

 

"Like I said, I've wanted to do that since we were in high school." A few of the other alumni around us were equally shocked, I think.

 

"You wanted to kiss me in high school?"

 

"Yeah. I wanted to kiss each and every one of you bullies but I knew I'd get the shit kicked out of me if I tried then. I figured that I could get away with it now."

 

In high school, I was the proverbial 97-pound-weakling. During the last several years, I had been doing fitness and weight training and was in very good shape. I was also a brown belt in judo so I felt capable to defending myself.

 

Back in high school, I had had to keep my head down and hide from the bullies. Jordan and I had been discovered kissing behind the bleachers during our sophomore year. My parents, bless them, had been understanding and didn't give me any grief. Well, no more than they would give to another teenage son. Jordan's parents were less understanding. They had made it perfectly clear to my parents that I was to have no contact with their son ever again and that I was to avoid him in school.

 

We had tried meeting secretly a few times but somehow his parents had found out and made his life even more miserable than it already was. He stopped trying to meet me. He and his family had moved away at the end of the school year.

 

Even in the last 20 years I had never found out where they had gone or what he was doing. I had hoped that I might be able to find out something at the 20-year reunion but I hadn't found any information.

 

Since my purpose for being there was unsuccessful, I decided to enact some rather harmless revenge on some of the guys who had tormented me during my high school years. I only managed to kiss two more before they started moving away from me when I approached. I could only laugh.

 

I hadn't had many friends in high school so it was a little lonely. I was at a table of virtual strangers and, with the exception of Annie Norman, no one talked to me for long. Annie, who I barely remembered or recognized, had not been very outgoing so we generally discussed what had happened after school. I don't think either one of us was especially interested.

 

I didn't stay long after the event. There was no one there to whom I particularly felt the need to say goodbye. It was a pleasant night so I walked around the neighborhood for awhile, seeing how some things had changed. The bakery where I used to stop and get a doughnut before school had apparently been closed for some time now. There were a lot of teenagers hanging around the Frosty King, just as in my day.

 

I didn't bother to walk by my old home. My parents had passed away more than 10 years ago. It was an early death for both of them and it would hurt a little too much to see how the house and neighborhood there had changed.

 

I did, however, walk by the house where Jordan used to live. I don't know why. I had avoided it after they had left. It hurt too much to think about him then. Now I was just curious, I guess. I stood there for a minute reminiscing about how much I had loved him. Even in the last 20 years, I felt some tears begin to form.

 

I heard some footsteps coming up behind me and then, "Vance?" The voice was vaguely familiar. I turned around and stared in disbelief.

 

"Jordan? What? Why are you here? No one at the reunion knew anything about you or where you were." I stood, a little shocked but his sudden appearance.

 

"Yeah, I know. I don't keep in touch with anyone from there anymore. I don't even say 'Hi' when I see them around." He pointed at his old home. "And I live here now. After I graduated from school, Mom and Dad threw me out. So I came back here trying to find you but you hadn't kept in touch."

 

"If I'd only known. I've missed you so much over the years."

 

"Me too." He came up to me, looked in my eyes and leaned in to give a gentle kiss.

 

"I've wanted to do that since ... forever."

[Valkyrie]

What a sweet story, Thaddeus.  I love the revenge that Vance took on the bullies.  I would love to see the looks on their faces! 

[Timothy M.]

Here's another chapter of my ongoing story of Rob and Co. https://www.gayauthors.org/story/timothy-m/timothysterriblepromptstories/24