What are friends for?

Joe was not jaded, and he did not look at Dorothy with eyes of disdain, hatred or even jealousy that can only come from deep love that had been crossed.  The look in Joe’s eyes was blank; there was no feeling at all behind his eyes and he felt nothing.  He could stand looking at Dorothy and not flinch.  It was his hands that had gone through the motions of a loving touch just minutes prior.  There had been laughter in the room at that time.  Dorothy was playing the game, in front of their party guests.

 

Dorothy could have bathed in the material aspect of her world.  By all rights, if money could buy happiness, Dorothy should have been excited about every sunrise.  Dorothy had the finest fashions, a grand house, a personal pool, and no debt.  None of these material things could change her fate.  Dorothy couldn’t tell anyone of her fate.  Truthfully, she didn’t truly believe it herself.  Even if she could bring herself to speak with someone, she had no reason to believe anyone would care.  People had seen the cast on her arm after “the accident”.  There wasn’t a living person that would do more than glance at her, and give her a shallow, “I am sure you will be alright” type of answer.  The world Dorothy was in, did not allow her to speak about disgraceful acts.

 

Dorothy had always been supported by Suzy.  Suzy used to talk to her for hours about her dreams, aspirations and what the future held for them.  At one time, Suzy had sworn an undying oath of friendship to Dorothy.  The truth though, Suzy was not Dorothy’s real friend.  Suzy was more of the person that was around.  This is not a real friendship, and that fact would show true.

Anger had built up in Suzy.  Suzy’s first act of jealousy happened after the violent impact of the car.  Dorothy was unconscious after a car “accident”.  Suzy stomped on Dorothy’s shoulder dislocating it out of the socket.

The truth about the matter now, Dorothy was emotionally numb.  She had no fear of death any more.  Dorothy’s eyes were looking directly at Joe and Suzy when they had their first kiss.  Just a week prior, Suzy had attended Joe and Dorothy’s wedding. This was the first time Suzy had let herself feel anything for Joe, but it would not be the last.

 

The first kiss had filled Suzy with a passion she had never before experienced.  Her friendship with Dorothy was really jealousy.  Suzy wanted to be the one getting married, wanted the clothes, wanted the beautiful life with Joe.  Suzy would have Joe to herself.

 

It was satisfying, as Suzy felt Dorothy’s neck snap between her fingers.

 

Just then, from down the hall “Suzy, dinner is ready, and don’t forget to wash your hands.” Her mom called out as part of their evening routine.  Suzy would have a long tedious night at the dinner table.  Mom had fixed broccoli.

 

As Suzy entered the dining room, she secretly wished she could put this adult world behind her.  She was anxious to get back to her Joe.  Dorothy’s head was in her right pocket, and she felt relaxed as she could feel its outline through her shorts.  At least Joe will be there waiting when I get back.  He had better comply with her commands or his head would fit nicely in her left pocket.

 

Rayna -Ghost Story-

He didn’t look anything like she expected. His eyes a glowing almond that seemed tense with some sort of anger, his ebony hair plastered to his native skin and his lips tugging in a frightening sneer. Before she could speak, the hallway clock struck one and glass broke all around her. Soon a delightful smell of lavender overpowered her and the boy with his group of friends hurried back down the steps they came from. “Wait!” She tried to call out but more glass shattered then made her freeze. She quickly ran to the stairs, stumbling to make her way to the boys. Only they had disappeared. “Damn it.”

“Looking for someone, darling?” A husky male voice whispered in her ear. She turned to face the voice but no one was there. She searched through the darkness of the cafeteria but was disappointed to find nothing. “Wanna join us?” the words made her jump, a fearful shiver escaped up and down her spine.

“Who’s there?” she started but paused when there was no answer. “What do you mean by joining you?”

“This is what we mean.” The boy with the glowing eyes stepped out of the dark revealing a new him. His skin a sick gray color, cuts lashed into his skin. Before she could speak, in lightening speed; he was in front of her. He reached out his hands and it went right through her. Terrified, she fell backwards, over the stairs railings and onto the basement floor. A liquid red color seeping out of her skull, eyes widen with fright. The boy disappeared. The girl was named Rayna and she was found after a few days and the group of boys were never found. But it was said, a new girl came to school and she looked exactly like Rayna; only she seemed perfect, flawless. She hung out with a group of boys that also were perfect, with ghost-like features. They kept to themselves and whenever someone tried to talk to them; they went missing ot found dead.

Not green and white

 

A lot has changed in recent years and writing is no exception.  Movies, books, graphic novels, and even music have changed many times over recent decades and people have been impressed by this.

Or are they?  Just as there have been many objective reasons why new things have changed art for the better, there are objective reasons why changes have worsened art.

So how does one change things, then?

One could analyze all was that an art form has evolved, track the cons and pros of each change and subject all pieces that have changed it to objective scrutiny and read as many arguments for or against the piece in order to deduce the worth of a certain change in a medium.

Or you could not waste time and don’t bother… thinking about it, not changing it.

Change best come form a need for it.  When an art piece changes the medium in a good way, it shows the need for the change doing the best with the potential of actual art.

Will Eisner changed the way most people view comics.  It is because of him that it was necessary to use the term ‘graphic novel’ as a separate kind of book than a comic.  But the reason people viewed comics as a potential to show a story of an impact, drama, length and as a medium aimed almost entirely as adults was because he showed us that a graphic novel could be good.  Before him, comics were short strips, a page or three at most of silliness and goofiness aimed only at children.  The reason we believed comics could be graphic novels was because he gave us a great story that many adults liked and were interested in.  His change was good because it was needed in order to make the piece.

Changes done when the art is not up to par or don’t even need it are what rub people the wrong way.  Take the Stargate movie.  Not all, but most people didn’t like it because it relied too much on special effects and felt there was not enough on a story worth their time.  It was a flop and it is still nearly universally known for sucking.  Stargate the movie was followed up by ten season of Stargate SG-1 as well as many spinoffs of that.  The shows have a huge fan following, and the sets are almost as cheap as those in Xena (for the record, I liked a lot of Xena; it was just obvious they kept reusing the same plastic armor).  Stargate the movie didn’t need the effects. The change of the effects themselves and how much the effects were used failed and aggravated people because they were given a story they didn’t like.  There was no potential shown for the story and thus they felt there was no potential for the effects.

Change should come from the need for it; actual progress in both art and tools.  Don’t think to yourself what to change, how to change it, or even why.  These will come to you when you need.  Focus on your art as much as possible and seek change it you find there is not way to show it at its best without change.  Progress comes for necessity and understanding.

The Secret – Page 20

Probably, Ben couldn’t think of a masculine flower name for them.  So telling her she could name them got him off the hook.  She remembered a discussion they had. “How about Thorn?” Ben asked her.  “Thorn? Are you insane?” Sounds like a German Sheppard! Lily Argued. “No!”

And she named the boys; she missed her husband though, still after all these years.  She did feel lucky to have Maddie as a friend though, especially now.  She put Maddie off when she noticed her concerns about the darkness of the nights in Magnolia.  But she did notice it.  For some reason, she didn’t tell her more about the quiet. Which she noticed as well.  She just didn’t want to talk about it.  Her children complained about it too at first, then they seemed to be scared of it.  They did not go out at night come to think of it, neither did Lily.

Maddie brought it out in conversation but Lily felt as though she should have whispered it.  Like it was a secret that everyone knew, but didn’t discuss.  What was going on here?  All of a sudden Lily felt afraid, she felt as though some one was reading her thoughts.  (Blank your mind) She thought.  (Think of the party.) That worked, but all day long at different times she felt as though someone was behind her.

The Secret – Page 19

“What? Oh, Maddie did you just now think of that?   That’s a great idea! A Party!  Yes, That sounds perfect.  It gives me something to plan and look forward to.  I guess after the Holidays I can be miserable along with the rest of the world.”

“Why don’t we get together and make plans? How about lunch on Saturday.” Lily added.

That was fine with Maddie as she agreed.  Lily signed off and hung up the phone in her office.  Thank god she had a friend here.  She had been here in this town two and half years and not made one friend.  Oh, sure everyone was polite and pleasant enough, but in a distant sort of way.  Her kids were no exception, they needed friends too, they need social time even more then I, she thought.    No wonder they want to move!  Lily loved her little restaurant but she can’t expect her children to work there forever.  She thought more about the party, she would invite Ben’s family as well.  Even though, they weren’t fond of her they did love Ben’s kids and it would be good for the children to seem them as well.  Ben, her husband referred to as “Bud” by his family; get it? “Bud Flowers?”  Agreed that the boys have normal names.  So she got to name them after her relatives.  Her father’s was Tony and her uncle Jim.

The Secret – Page 18

“Hi Lily, Just thinking about calling you.” Said Maddie. “Hi, I thought I might get you to cheer me up.” Lily replied.
“Oh, something wrong?”
“Well, do you have a few minutes? It’s not that something’s wrong, really; but the kids have all informed me that they are all moving out the beginning of the January. “ Lily said. “I know that they are really adults but they really are my only family, you know. My parents are dead, and I am the only child. I am glad that the kids love Bens family (My Flowers) and each other. Of course I am being selfish for wanting them to stay with me, I know they can make it on their own.”
Maddie stopped her there, “Where are they going?”

“Well, Camellia is going to work at the boardwalk plaza in Rehoboth beach. Tony and Jim have been approved for the culinary arts program at Delaware Tech and Community College in Georgetown. They want to get a place together near campus. “
“Well, that’s not really far then. They will still be close by.”
“I know, I’m being too sentimental, its time for them to move on. These are great opportunities for them. “
Maddie thought of her Christmas plan. “Guess what Lily, I have an idea. Why don’t we have a combined family Christmas party at your place? I will invite my family and you and your children. Have a big traditional dinner in the restaurant and I will pay for everything and you and I will cook all the food. What do you think?

The Secret – Page 17

She laughed at this, but her weight was no joke. The 25 pounds she lost so far was barely noticeable, even to her! But when your new best friend owns a restaurant, it’s easy. They fixed LO Fat calorie food just for her. She was forever grateful, and it made her feel part of the family, and she loved that long lost feeling. She was distant with her own family, her sister and brother barely spoke to each other, much less to her. Her mother and father were always trying to get everyone together for parties at holidays, but Christmas is really the only time that everyone is assembled in the same location. This year, maybe Maddie would invite them all to her new home. Christmas dinner could be at La Petet Floras and she could include Lily’s family as well. Later, when they spoke, she would discuss it with Lily. So soon did the thought Enter her mind that the phone rang.

The Secret – Page 16

She and Lily were chatting on the phone on a daily basis and they spent weekends just hanging out. Maddie discovered that Lily did not live in Magnolia for as long as her husband had passed. Apparently, her property that Lily acquired from her husband, was only given to her after his family offered it.Something in his will, did not give him the authority to give Lily all of the property ‘free and clear’. Lily mentioned her surprise when her husbands family asked her if she wanted them to relinquish their rights to the property. She was grateful, as they apparently did not like her much. One of his sisters told her that her brother only married her because her name was Lily, and that went well with the name “flowers.” It was of course not true, but seemed a way for his family to hurt her feelings. Ms Flowers, did love the fact that her name was Lily and requested a “flower name for their daughter “hence Camelia” Lily called her “Lee” for short. The two women talked a lot about everything and then Maddie asked her about the darkness and the quiet. She was surprised at Lily not really giving her a response, but then Lily wasn’t living alone. The noise of 3 other people in her house made up for the silence, but she did not mention the darkness. She sort of changed the subject when Maddie brought it up. But Maddie blew it off, figuring it didn’t seem strange to Lily. Maybe Maddie should light-en up. “literarlly” She thought to herself. Her diet was doing Ok,she thought. She started to take walks, and she almost broke into a trot when she passed Al’s Hardware.

The Secret – Page 15

“This is a piece from the novella The Secret. So please goto the Secret page and catch yourself up on some good reading” 

 

By the time she got home she was tired. The back porch of the house had a rocker, she read the paper she bought called “The Branch” believe it or not was a local paper, which was incredibly boring. “that’s good” she thought. “Put me right to sleep.” And sleep she did, right out back on the rocking chair. She awoke to darkness. “My god it is really dark here.” Pitch black finally found its meaning. Maddie pushed the button on her timer to illuminate the face. 10:30 P.M. and pitch black, she thought. “And Quiet, too Quiet.” Maddie did not like the feeling that the darkness and the quiet gave her. It was a feeling of being so very alone. It was creepy. She blasted out the silence on the couch with the T.V. on. She stayed that way all night.

 
Come Saturday morning she met Lily, and had a very eventful day. Laughing, chatting, spending money on fabulous things. Walking, just briefly, “Thank God.” On the beach, the two women became friends and confidants. She may like Magnolia after all, Maddie thought.

She was not to believe that for very long, however not long at all. For the next few weeks Maddie had been busy getting her Real Estate office setup, it was grueling, but exciting. 

The Secret – Page 14

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” she said to herself repeatedly. “That’s It!” She thought. “I am buying a scale and going on a diet today.” She drove to the nearby hardware store “Al’s Hardware” simple enough. She needed other items as well and Maddie liked hardware stress. All the gadgets and everything around.

Well, this was different. All of Al’s Hardware was it appeared to Maddie to be a little Wacko. “Hi, could you tell me where I could find a bathroom scale?” She inferred quietly. 
 
“What? A Scale!? For what would you need a scale miss? Your bathroom?” Said the Clerk

“Yes, Sir” She replied embarrassed. “You really wanna know how much you weigh, huh? Well none of my business , over at Aisle 3 you’ll find a few.”

Thank-god there was no one there she thought to herself knowing the customers would be giggling over his remarks. What in the hell was wrong with that man, she thought. She bought the scale and high tailed it out of there. “Come back soon, now!” Al shouted. She shocked Al and herself when she firmly replied, “Not if I can help it.” All in all it was a good day, she found a small general store and bought some groceries and such. 

The Secret – Page 13

But they have great experience and knowledge and I know they will succeed. I gave them the discipline and the courage. “ I will continue here until I die and the customers show-up. The townspeople like it because there is no other place in town except the Deli and donut shop. The older people don’t want to drive to the next big town for a good meal. Lily had been a native Delawarean, growing up in South Wilmington, aka “Italian section.” This is when she learned to cook. Culinary school had nothing on Lily’s grandmother, who taught her most of what she knows.

The ladies made plans to meet on the weekend and Lily promised to show Maddie the town and the surrounding area. They would take a ride to Rehoboth and check out the resort town if “free”. Maddie thought “ I wonder if I can lose 100 Pounds by Saturday?” If not the buff and gorgeous lifeguards might blow their whistle and shout at the beach goers over their megaphone, “Whale on the Beach, everyone out of the water! Don’t go near the Whale! Everybody, STAY AWAY from the Whale!” Oh wait its just a big fat woman, go back in the water, but stay away from the fat lady!” Maddie had to laugh. She laughed so hard she cried, but then she realized that she really was crying. 

The Secret – Page 12

Sure, Maddie thought, that tiny Camilia would not be able to eat sausage and peppers and home made ravioli at 1 In the afternoon. But, truthfully Maddie could probably have eaten two helpings, and even order dessert, but not in public. She must be the overweight waif with no appetite. Yeah, the one fat person that gets full on the roll and salad given with your meal: barely forcing down the entrée. Ha! If they only knew.

The eggplant was delicious and very satisfying. “My compliments to your chef.” Maddie told Lily in her small, but charming, office. “Please come in and tell me more about yourself.” Lily chided. The two women talked and laughed for about an hour, they had so much in common, Maddie thought. Both business Women both single, and both ½ Italian. Their better ½ they laughed. But, Lily had been married with 3 children when her husband had an aneurism and died. He left her the property that was his fathers. Lily used the insurance money to create the restaurant. It was a dream of hers since she graduated from Culinary school Twenty years prior. When her children grew up, she taught them how to run the kitchen and the front of the house, and made it a family business. “They may or may not stay here.” Lily laughed. 

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