The House That Had a Gentle Heart - Part 4

When the door creaked open, Soggy Bristle stood there and glared. Saying nothing.

Hello,” said Helen Miller. “I know we didn’t get off to a very good start the other day. But Gentle, here, would like to invite your Rusty over to watch a movie tonight. It’d be loads of fun. Popcorn, pizza, soda. Unless. of course, he’s allergic to any of these things. Then we’d make an adjustment to tonight’s menu. We’re very agreeable. We’ve rented the movie, Finding Nemo 3D. You see, it’s about a fish that--”

“I know damn well what the movies about,” said Soggy Bristle. “I’m not an earth worm for crying out load. I keep up with things. Even things as trivial as that.”

“Well, it was just a thought,” said Mrs. Miller. “Gentle was hoping to make a new friend.”

“Then she’d better put an ad in the paper,” said Mrs. Bristle. “We’re all out of friends over here.”

“Could you tell Rusty I said hello,” said Gentle. “Maybe we can do it some other time.”

Rusty Bristle, who was listening from the other side of his mother’s skirt, came out from behind and faced Gentle.

“I’d love to come over to your house and watch a movie,” said Rusty. “Finding Nemo’s my all time favorite. And, hey, what happened to your pony tail?”

”I took it down.”

“I love it when you wear a pony tail, Gentle,” said Rusty. “You look so cute.”

“Really?” said Gentle. “I can put it up again if you like it that much. It’s real simple.”

“Okay,” said Rusty. “See you tonight then. We’re sure to have lots of fun. That is, of course, if it’s all right with Mother. Please, Mom. Can I?”

Rusty squeezed his mother’s hand till she felt a nail break the skin, then he smiled up sweetly.

“Please?“

”Well,” said Mrs. Bristle. ”I don‘t know what‘s come over the boy, but if that‘s his idea of a good time. He can go tie a can to a cat’s tail for all I care.”

“Wonderful!” said Mrs. Miller. “Come over at six tonight and wear your pajamas if you like.”

“Golly, can I?” said Rusty. “This is sounding more fun by the minute!”

At five PM, Rusty readied himself for his trip next door. He put on his favorite black pajamas. The one’s with the glow-in-the-dark skull and cross bones. He then put some goodies in his back pack. His harmonica. In case Gentle wanted to hear one of his compositions. His copy of a vintage Tales from the Crypt magazine. In case Gentle wanted to be read to. And his mother’s hair-cutting scissors. Perfect for cutting a little girl’s pony tail.

Oh ponytail, ponytail
Hung down to the hip
I’ll creep up behind
Then snip, snip, snip

“Rusty’s at the neighbor’s house?” said Bent Bristle. “Watching Finding Nemo 3D? Has that boy been self-medicating again?”