(Author’s note: Hidiho, neighbors! Currently training my replacement in anticipation of a new position coming up. In the meantime, doing my duty with putting a Fictioneers up. This one reuses music that I’ve used before, but I think it’s appropriate. Enjoy!)
The 20 students snuck in overnight, flying into Tullamarine Airport, looking like smiling tourists. They walked past immigration, past the taxis, onto the nearest train platform. They smiled as they got on, and in unison, looked out the window.
As the trains eventually pulled into the Southern Cross Yards, each of the students looked towards a blonde haired girl with Chinese features.
“We have been selected for a great future. We are the future of Australia’s education.”
The train slowed to a stop.
“Time to take this town, girls!”
They rushed out the doors, onto unsuspecting businessmen and college registrars.
Marina looked like a lost rich girl among the steel and neon of the area.
“So, what are you doing here?” a blonde waif asked
“I’m waiting for my boyfriend…”
“On Hooker Row? Likely story.”
“Wait, you think I work down here?”
“You’re here, right? Girls don’t come here to wait for boyfriends.”
“He said he’s coming from work. He’d be here in 10 minutes.”
“Where does he work?”
“He didn’t tell me where, but he seems important. He drives an expensive car.”
The waif laughed.
“Oh, you’re sweet. You’re going to be quite a catch. He’s a pimp, y’know.”
Welcome, fans and friends. Don’t forget to read my last long-piece: “A View From Your Window”. It’s a beautiful piece. Anyhow, here’s this week’s fictioneers piece:
copyright – Janet Webb
Portal al Puerto
Sandy was up for the morning, and couldn’t go back to sleep. She knew that she had to be at the U for class by 9, and 7:30 was much too early.
She walked into the bathroom and did her hair. As she brushed the silky blonde locks, she noticed a small little “rip” on the edge of the mirror. She touched it, and pulled back on it.
She noticed, on the other “side” of this mirror, was a doorway. A sideways doorway. She pushed the doorway open, and was immediately sucked in, her skin stretching as she was devoursed by the portal.
The door immediately closed, and the mirror resealed itself. That was the last time anyone saw Sandy…for nearly 5 years.
Teresa’s eyes slowly started to open as she turned over and mumbled. She saw her husband sitting up and the lamp turned on. Stifling a yawn, she sleepily looked at his back.
“Why are you up?”
Her husband turned around and smiled a weak, sad smile.
“They called me in. A patient is barely holding on.”
Teresa glowered at this, and lowered her eyes a bit. Lately this had been a common occurrence, and she did not want to wake up to an empty bed anymore. She was clearly unhappy, and Rahim Carlson, her husband of over 5 years, knew it.
“I really wish they’d quit calling you at night. I mean, why can’t they find another surgeon?”
“Honey, the next closest thoracic surgeon to us is down in Thousand Oaks. That’s nearly 2 hours away.”
Teresa slowly sat up and rubbed her green eyes. She smoothed her satin chemise as she looked up at him, wisps of blonde hair falling in front of her face.
“Maybe we should think of moving somewhere else. You’ve been doing this for more than two years now!”
Rahim looked at her, and gave a funny smile.
“I’ve thought of that too. Right now, though, we are here in Bakersfield for a purpose. They need a thoracic surgeon of great quality. The good news is that the prospect from USC Medical Center is looking at Bakersfield General for a move. If we can get him in, I can look for another surgeon’s job somewhere else. But that’s almost 6 months down the line.”
She sat, slumped in defeat as she knew there was nothing she could do.
As he was buttoning the top button, he looked at her. This woman, his wonderful wife, was in need and he felt like there was nothing he could do. He had his duty, and he had his wife. He studied her face, every part of her that was exposed to his vision, and sighed to himself. He looked in the mirror, and stood stony for a moment. Teresa knew this. It was his “prayer stand”, where he would ask the Lord for guidance. As she got out of bed and turned towards him, he turned back to her, a slight smile on his face.
“I just had a thought…give me a moment,” he said, as he grabbed the phone. He quickly dialed a 10 digit number and waited.
“Hey, Smitty. Sorry for waking you up so early. You doing okay?” He waited a moment, then launched right in. “Hey, you know how you said you wanted to take a shot at doing some surgery up here at Bakersfield, right? I just got called in, but I can’t make it to the hospital in time. It would take me about 4 hours to get there. You’re closer, would you like to take a run at it?”
He paused again, a flit of a smile running across his face.
“Great! Call up Nurse Chelsey Marks, and have her connect you with Brian Markinson. You remember him, right? He’s in charge of night shift, and should be able to accomodate you. I’ll call him in just a moment and get you cleared.” He waited a moment. “You got it! We’ll talk next week, okay? Uh huh! Bye.”
He then proceeded to call Dr. Markinson and inform him that he was unable to make it. He was, unfortunately, detained and wouldn’t be able to make it there on time. After a little shake-off, he closed the phone, and proceeded to take his shirt back off.
“What do you think, Teresa? You still want me to stay the night?”
Teresa looked at him, as she slowly walked over. She put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.
“I hate the fact that you actually lied to your bosses to get out of work tonight. But in this case, I will forgive you.”
Rahim looked at his God-given wife, and smiled.
“Sweetie, you’re worth it even if I would get fired.”
Music and Fiction 