Wide Blue Yonder

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Book: Wide Blue Yonder by Jean Thompson Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jean Thompson
Tags: Fiction, General
skinny. He ran a little farther but the heat made him wobble and he still had the glasses banging on his nose and finally he just couldn’t wait any more and unzipped right where he was and did it on the ground.
    It felt so much better. He couldn’t see much of anything because of the glasses but there was a lot of loud talking. Somebody was saying Police. Then Yoo Hoo was at his side, turning him around and telling him he had to come with her. She told him to do up his pants. He was so embarrassed. The Police were like Daddy.
    When they were back in the car Yoo Hoo said it was all her fault. She should have been watching out, taking better care of him. “Next time you tell me if you have to go, OK?”
    So he was in trouble again. Oh, bad word. Frank said he was going to get it now. Frank was a pistol. He whupped the Germans. He had a uniform and medals. He had answered the call of duty. Frank said the Army didn’t take sissies. One look at him and the Army would laugh itself blue in the face. That’s why he didn’t go to war. He was just as glad. He never liked loud things and the Army was full of them.
    He liked running, back when his legs worked. He could just stick his head in the air and go and go. Nobody could catch him. It was one more thing he liked about the Weather, it was fast. Mamma Daddy Frank were slow, because they were dead. He ran past them and waved. He climbed the clouds like steps.
    The car stopped. They were back home. “Yoo Hoo,” said Yoo Hoo. Are you listening? Are you understanding?
    He was so fast, her words couldn’t catch up to him. Her words rose to his ears like fish bubbles coming to the surface of a pond. If he closed his eyes, he could pretend he was running. The car door opened and she tugged on his arm. He liked not looking. He cheated and opened his eyes a little going up the stairs. “I don’t suppose you’ve ever locked this door. That’s something you should really get in the habit of doing. Do you even know where the key is? Never mind. I’ll look for it.”
    He kept his eyes shut and felt around for the couch. The Weather was talking so he knew exactly where he was. The air whistled with cool. He grinned out loud. When he sat down on the couch, Fat Cat thumped into his lap. Man In A Suit said, Record heat continues in the central plains, midwest, northeast, and southeast. But inside it was perfect. He petted Fat Cat. Even his fingers were happy.
    Local Forecast must have fallen asleep. He woke up but he kept his eyes closed. He had such a funny dream. It was about the Army, where he’d never even been. In his dream the Army gave him a medal. It was for fast running. He forgot Yoo Hoo was stillthere. She said, “What are you doing with those glasses still on? How can you see anything at all?”
    She lifted them off his nose. His eyes were still screwed shut. “Look at me, Harvey. I have to show you how to turn the air conditioner on and off. In case you get too cold. Right here. Harvey! It’s important.”
    Local Forecast opened one eye. She showed him On and Off. Sometimes she acted like he didn’t know anything.
    “I cleaned the bathroom and brought you some supplies, toilet paper and Comet and stuff. And kitty litter. You definitely need kitty litter. Now I want to talk to you about something else. Are you listening? Are you hearing?”
    He pointed to his ears. He had closed his eyes again but he could feel her looking at him, deciding things. “Fine. I’d like to take you in for a checkup. Just your basic physical. How long has it been since you’ve had one? Never mind. I’d almost rather not know. I promise no one will hurt you.”
    He wondered if she lived anywhere she would be going back to soon.
    “And an eye exam. I’m very concerned about your eyesight. You might not even notice because it’s a gradual thing. I’m hoping there’s something they can do about it. We’ll see what the doctor—”
    no no no no doctor no no no doctor run bad word feet

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