Reading: "Dead Cities of the Stars" from Rituals of the Antithetical (A.Glass 2023)

 

“Because I don’t particularly want to, all I’ll say is that its a vigilante story about killing bad guys. I don’t really care what the teacher thinks,” Dalens replies, Lances notices, as she did earlier, Dalens change in responses, from his age related dialogue, to a more mature tone and expression which seems out of character. Surprised at the clarity and calmness, on any expectations that could be triggered by agitation or provocation. Dalens more direct responses are without any anger. Folding her legs over in a more hurried manner this time, she makes a written note onto her pad.
Looking up at Dalens again, she smiles. “That is fine, we don’t need to talk about anything you don’t feel comfortable with. But, I would like to ask you about the last Show and Tell with the English class. Is that ok?”
“Yes, sure. I can answer that one.”
“So, what did you Show and Tell the class for that lesson?”
“Oh, um, it was how to make cocktails. So, I brought these different cocktail glasses to the class and a cocktail recipe book. No alcohol obviously. I don’t drink,” Dalens chuckles to himself, as the psychologist smiles.
“Do you feel that it was maybe, not appropriate to show the class how to make cocktails.”
“Not at all, I am fascinated by them.”
“Because of James Bond?”
“Maybe, but I see the adults drinking. Mostly wine, just curious on how one mixes alcoholic drinks. Like at a bar, a good bar in the evening. Y’know, going out on a Friday night. In a refined way. Do you know what I mean?” Dalens asks, as he leans back into his chair, eyeing Lances reaction.
“I do, but it is part of the adult world, not something for your age to be interested in. It is to be experienced later in life,” she replies, as Dalens nods, holding eye contact with Lances.
“But, as an observation?”
The psychologist doesn’t immediately reply, sitting up straight, she uncrosses her legs.
“Why would you want to observe, what is an adult pastime?”
Reaction, Dalens thinks to himself, yet doesn’t reply the thought verbally. Instead he just shrugs his shoulders.
“I dunno”
The psychologist stands, as does Dalens, leading him to the door of her office.
“Well thank you for seeing me today Arvie,”
“Thank you also Jenny,” he replies, as he leaves the office.

After visiting the psychologist office, Dalens makes his way towards his friend Hayden McLeod's house, walking up the steps. He reaches the front door and with his left hand, he knocks onto the wooden door frame, to which there is no response. Checking his wristwatch, seeing that school is over for the today.
“It’s baseball practice tonight, he’ll be there until…” Dalens checks his watch again. “...Seven PM.”
He turns walking down the steps and sees Chloe’s car parked, but not her husband’s. His dad must have taken him, Dalens thinks to himself, walking down the footpath, passing a narrow side entrance that can lead onto the McLeod's backyard and patio, overgrown with ivy, he turns and quickly walks to where the archway and door are located, covered in weeds and plants. To which Hayden uses as a secret way to enter his parents patio and backyard, a cloud passes over the sun, the area becomes darkened by its shade. Dalens enters, moving through the heavily grown bamboo trees, which has been left to languish over the years walking inside the McLeod's backyard, he sees their patio, with the two sun deck chairs, with nobody around. Nearing a part of the McLeod's house, which sits lower under the patio area, a spare room that is used as a storage and study area. And on the many occasions Hayden and himself have played cards within that room, he walks very carefully to the hidden and shaded exterior from the main house, which is beneath the patio that is connected to the McLeod's lounge room.
He hears the faint moans from Hayden’s mother Chloe, peering into the window he sees her naked with an unfamiliar man on top of her, wearing a t-shirt, naked from the waist down. Her legs around around him, thrusting into Chloe. Fucking in a frantic way before her husband and son arrive home, Dalens continues to watch as the man appears closer to climax, viewing Chloe's face, in a state of bliss, holding the man by his shoulders, moving in union with this thrusts. The man pumps several more times, in one final thrust, to which Chloe holds him close, then releases him. As he withdraws his penis and quickly stands, to which she does also, as they both look around for their clothing. Dalens catches a glimpse of her flushed face, before she bends down and lifts up her underwear
Turning away from the window, he walks back to where he came from, looking up at the overcast sky from the street street. He stops, facing West, smiling, whilst staring at the horizon, to what looks like a mushroom cloud of a thermonuclear detonation.
“Not afraid,” he says to himself.

___ 

Reading:  "Dead Cities of the Stars" from Rituals of the Antithetical(A.Glass 2023)