Amy's Wishes Read online

  Amy’s Wishes

  Chantal Pretorius

  (Short Stories)

  First Published: 2014 by Smashwords by Chantal Pretorius

  Second Published: 2017 Amazon by Chantal Pretorius

  Third published by: 2017 Smashwords by Chantal Pretorius

  © Chantal Pretorius 2017

  Conditions of sale: This book shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchase. This book is published at a net price and is supplied subject to the Publishers Association Standard Conditions of Sale registered under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956.

  Cover Design by Chantal Pretorius

  Proofreading: The date, Bad people, the logo, Kabelo’s paradise and The Diva (Simon Maginn)

  Other proofreading: The rest of the other short stories by Chantal Pretorius

  Index:

  Thanks to:

  The date (fiction)

  Henry’s discovery (fiction)

  Taylor’s first house (fiction)

  The logo (drama)

  The diva (fiction)

  Bad people (comedy)

  Kabelo’s paradise (fiction)

  Amy’s wishes (fantasy)

  Thanks to:

  Everyone who supports me as a writer, whether it is in Afrikaans or in English.

  Also to everyone who reads e-books.

  The date

  Jeremy Nicholson glares around in the room. A waiter approaches him, but he chose a table for two near an open window. Wipe away sweat that appears on his forehead. He better finds a better spot; otherwise, it won’t be romantic enough for his date.

  Finally, he chose a neat table with roses in a vase situated in the middle. He asks for classical music to play in the background or will it be better to leave the pop lyrics on? He sits on a chair, ask for two menus. Then he sighs, breathes slowly in and out his lungs, feels a little bit dizzy.

  Minutes later he looks on his phone, repeatedly stares at the door. Now his legs become jelly, heart beats faster as each second goes by. He calls the waiter, asks him for champagne, touched his tie a few times, and notices his date finally came.

  Henry’s discovery

  It is a nice, sunny day with blue skies, no clouds visible, only the masterpiece of perfection. Henri could look at heaven for hours on end, but home sweet home is always a man's best friend after hard days work.

  And finally it is the weekend, although he is alone, miserable. The house is his comfortable zone – he stop the vehicle in the garage, turn off enjoin, walk up to the inside door when his dark eyes widen in fear.

  His heart beats faster each minute, legs jelly and a worried thought came like a thunderstorm. As he slowly stairs realizes someone broke the lock, just like the other one.

  He quickly made an entrance inside. Luckily he could not hear anyone, only his own heavy footsteps. Then sights relieved. Shocked to notice portraits and paintings lay on the floor, he came closer, feel tears burn behind his eyes and he glares hopelessly around.

  See a broken window, as the wind blew the satin red curtains slightly open. Many glass pieces destroyed historical artwork.

  He feels his cheeks are getting warm, somehow the lost memories of his beloved parents return when he picks up a group together at Hawaii many years ago.

  Minutes later, he took a sad breathe, hurry to the other rooms - grips at his T-shirt. It looks like a tornado ripped everything apart. Clothes, shoes, important documents and high school trophies' are everywhere. Even his bed have been moved, seems like the burglars were in search for money.

  He lifts up both eyebrows, busy within his own dark thoughts. And the bathroom's wall is smeared with hair conditioner, as well as body wash. He curls his fists and then hit the wooden door repeatedly, before heading in the cold hallway.

  Suddenly the house feels empty to him. How can someone destroy precious memories like this?

  He thought and stopped for a moment, bed forward, pick up an African crafted necklace; he bought cheaply at a non-stop market. He just presses the necklace in his palm – did not have the strength to carry on with the inspection. Then he turns around, back in the living room, he fell on the leather couch, stare at the white wall were his television got stolen.

  Taylor’s first house

  Taylor rips out the ‘for sale' board right out of the ground and saw the shallow dark round hole left behind in the mud.

  She smiles on her way to the front door, put the skeleton key in the lock, but before she does she decide to glare at the neatly green lawn, colourful flowerbeds, big hedges and looking trees shine with much glory in the garden.

  A nice greenhouse with planted herbs will spice up the empty spot on the clean cut grass, near the compost area.

  She then sees a car pull across from the street, they notice her and greet and she optimistic does the same. When she finally enters the lounge impressed her immediately. It has a lovely fireplace with firescreen, but it seems kind of small, since the last time she saw it with the seller.

  After that she bends her head, look at the blue carpet. Here and there are stain marks, but thankfully soap and water can clean up anything, she hopes; then took a quick turn to inspect the dining room. Her eyes widen. The dresser is spacious, possible six meters long and five meters high.

  Thankfully a shiny tiled floor made her nerves calm down. And then she opens the display cabinet, also wipe sideboards, everything seems to be in order here, she thought with a big grin.

  In the hallway, she could hear wood floors quacking and screaming. It's a good thing; because it will alarm her if some stranger is in the house without her knowing it. Thank goodness for the bars on the windows, being safe is the key point of buying, especially build-in-cupboards around the house.

  Also, the pantry is big enough for casseroles, tinned food, glass bowls and, of course, a vacuum cleaner.

  She looks around in the office; it is something special and spacious. With a file cabinet, yellow wooden bookcase a year old calendar, but the telephone has to go further is the walls, ceilings in good shape and she satisfied with the house.

  The logo

  Sally Taylor and Martin Lawrence have just opened their Debt Counselling S and M Company and are disagreeing with the logo since Sally wants a glamorous one, but Martin prefers a simple, cheap logo.

  “I don’t know why we are arguing about this,’’ he said and shrug’s.

  She sights with a sweetly and briefly smile.

  “You started the argument Martin, not me,’’ she went on, turn her head away.

  “This is a very important discussion Sally?’’

  English, please … I can't understand you clearly?'' She sarcastically informs him.

  Martin folds his arms in front of his chest, eyeing her for a moment.

  We can’t afford an expensive logo woman,’’ he said, hit his bolted fist on the table in frustration.

  She nearly jumps out of her seat, eyes wide.

  "A cheap one isn't going to work either,'' she replies calmly.

  He lifts an eyebrow. “No one will notice the difference anyway?’’

  She gave him a brief smile. “Our clients surely will – they have eyes to see, you know?’’

  “O … Come on,’’ he kept arguing, “a cheap logo will be just as stunning as an expensive one.’’

  She shakes her head disagreeing again. “I disagree and what about the colour of the dam thing,’’ she asks nicely.

  “Keep it simple,’’ he said short, let his shoulders fell. “White and black is a perfect match for a logo.’’
>
  “ … Um … white,’’ she hesitates, “white is dull and boring. What about black and red or orange?’’

  He takes the black marker and red one. Draw the logo on the board. “I do like your suggestion, but we keep it cheap.’’

  She frowns and says satisfied. "Fine, I am impressed … for now;'' she said proudly.

  The Diva

  Ashley O' Conner communicates with the waiter where she wants to sit. Not too much on the left, slightly in the middle, neither near open windows, because she loses blonde hair will irritate the golden necklace with sparkling diamantes around her neck. And now and then she looks at her long manicured nails. The waiter gives her a menu, but instead she orders still water not coloured drinks with sugars and calories. At the table, she winks at a married man, as they smile back. Their wives give her accord looks. She then powders her nose and smear lipstick on. Glance around, also at the manager with his Rolex wristwatch. While the waiter puts her drink on the table, she demanded a lemon piece, complaints about the ice in the water. She tastes it, asks for a new drink. Some guests ignore her while others only shake their heads in wonder.

  Bad people

  Charlene and her dear husband John loves their tenderised steak well done with crispy oily fries with a beer, but today its spaghetti Bolognese at the grand hotel. They share one another's laughter loudly and picked out a table in the smoking area. Some of the guests stare at their baggy clothes and rolls their eyes in shame. When Charlene sneezes openly near a diner's table, they don't apologize. Finally at the table they kiss passionately, laugh some more and watch the waiter brought their drinks, eyeing the couple blowing smoke away. Minutes later the food arrived. They eat fast and disgusting, more drinks are ordered. And loud jokes make guests eyes twitch. Their voices are louder, spread across the room with piled dirty dishes on the table, without allowing the waiter to take it away, they like the stink of food. And share secrets aloud without care.

  Kabelo’s paradise

  Kabelo never saw a green note in his entire life and either silver coin's, only brown cents. After years of street life, he became hard and cold. He got sick and tired of the street living, but not lazy or weak.

  He sights hopeless and puts the money in his dirty pants pockets. Then he looks in the mirror - clothes stinks, just like his body falling apart. Being barefoot is not easy on the street, especially in winter. And it’s summer, but at night’s the wind comes and release the cold.

  Luckily the sun is shining. And the warmth brings Kabelo a piece of mind … Controls his hunger for food this festive season.

  Not long, Kabelo could not resist and go to outside. Without a care in the world, watching different vehicles in many colours pass him by. Maybe the people are sick and tired of the busy streets. All they want to do is go home. Just like him, but he can't … He doesn't know where his home is located.

  Kabelo never had a home. With parents who loved him or send him to school to learn how to read or write. All he knows are the paradise of loneliness and begging for money. Quickly Kabelo grabs the bucket filled with water and ran to one vehicle that stopped at the red robot. Nicely, he washes the car. Afterwards beg for money. And one man rolls down his window smiling. Gave Kabelo a ten rand note.

  Kabelo kept on smiling. Pleased, he thanked the elderly man. Watch him drove off again and folds the money in his palm. Now Kabelo gives his best smile, more money means a better living. He notices other people, laughing and smiling and only glares at him.

  What are they looking at? He thought alone.

  Minutes later, Kabelo sees two police officers talking to strangers. Instead, he pays attention to the ten dollar bill. They will never understand his suffering of survival. And for how long have he been surviving the streets. Two years … four, maybe ten, but Kabelo could not remember.

  Suddenly lost thoughts of a good future are going to waist. So this means no hope and no more sunshine for him – forever.

  At sunset, Kabelo wonders, slumbers in the busy streets. There are so many strangers around, but loneliness rules his hearts desires. He places the bucket aside him. See the red robot finally change to green. There are also bikers blowing dust on his face. And see bicycles ride by in speed, leaving silence behind.

  The people are from young to old. But some are walking, jogging. Exercise in tight clothing and wiping away sweat. Exhaling the air and others are just being normal. He likes their fancy shoes in crazy shapes, sizes and colours.

  Later Kabelo crosses the street. Smile at the people, as they proudly do the same. What they think of me does not matter. What Kabelo thinks matters the most? He looks at the shoe shop across from the street. Turn his head and look away. He will never afford a pair of sneakers or socks.

  The desire for nice things is only dangerous. And in frustration Kabelo keeps on walking, until he spotted something to look at – a nook next to the bakery. Then hide there, feel if the ten rand is still in the pocket. Look up at the strangers passing him by. Not knowing his circumstances or the reason for his behaviour.

  Kabelo does care. He just can't show it. Maybe it is better if they don't know. Then it won't shame them. Like teardrops become tears of pain. Not love of carelessness.

  At evening, Kabelo came out of hiding. And in silence stare at reality again. Smell fresh baked bread drifts in the air around him. He touches his stomach; it's rumbling of hunger. Kabelo takes out the money. Go next door and ask politely for bread. With twitching eyes, he exhales nervously.

  "Just give me something to eat, please.''

  The cashier gives him what he asks. “There you go young man.’’

  Kabelo thanks her and went outside again. Wish for a cool drink, because the sunlight is strong. And decide on one. But the pockets are full of emptiness. So this means the streets are talking to him again.

  Finally, Kabelo makes a decision. Die of thrust or have the guts to buy a cool drink. And satisfy his need to drink. Once inside the café, he took a deep breath and releases it again. Not blushing, but sweating of humiliation to be in here. Try to relax his shoulders, but his mind rules now.

  Quickly Kabelo grabs a coca cola and head for the counter. The cashier isn't smiling, rather looks bitter and tired. He counts the money. Desperate thoughts of losing money are depressing. And precious thoughts fade into darkness.

  Kabelo sights aloud and in desperate for new shoes. Why don't I have such nice things? He believes in time but doesn't know exactly what it is. Only a sunset can determine whether a day is coming to an end.

  Quickly Kabelo finished eating and drinking. No more rumblings of hunger and nausea. Then crossed the road, take another look at the shoe shop. It is only available to people with money and lots of it.

  He notices many doves on the sidewalk. Enjoying breadcrumbs and Kabelo watch them fly off again, into the air, straight for the blue skies. See people leaving the shop with bags. So many his eyes are twitching in hurt.

  Wishing he could go inside, just do some exploring, but he can’t. The manager closed the doors and locked them.

  Broken-hearted, he grips at his shirt and fall to the ground. Realizing … life is a struggle and without money, you are lost to the world. But ready to tackle the future with both hands, with or without money.

  Kabelo wipes the tears away and forgets about everything. The future is unpredictable and Kabelo never woke up again. Only the police found his body in a nook corner. But no one came to collect his body, so the hospital arranged the burial services.

  Amy’s wishes

  Amy, the magician, watches the grey skies get some colour. Clouds bring thunder first and then rain. She closes her blue eyes and imagines a big rainbow and when she opens them a watercolour one was visible.

  It shines into her windows, creating works of art against the white, dull walls. She entertains herself with cheap plastic tea cups, lifeless baby dolls and epic wallpapers. They are meaningless but somewhat inspiring in adventure mode.

  And she watches all the toys in her
small uncomfortable room come alive, awake after the raindrops splatter on the round window. She plays, dance and sings with a dead clown, join in fighting games, included run away chess horses and magical fairy wands.

  Afterwards Amy dresses her dolls, in different styles, look at her photographs with mommy and daddy. They look happy – like a family should be. But mommy is gone and daddy abandoned me, long ago … very long ago.

  On the heaven bed, Amy shares many tears and it turned into pretty glowing diamonds. She picks them up, put them in her shoebox. The poor mice will come and collect it, in return give her candy. So many, she can dream about to count.

  Another wish stuck in her disturb mind; the will to go in the closet because it is scary, dark and cold. There were the gold and silver lies. And she opens the closet door, see a ghostly face and slam it close again.

  Then look out the small round window again.

  A big puffy cloud blinks an eye in her direction, so she does the same. Risk her short life to touch the softness. And wish it would bring the sunshine with sparkling golden rays – sparkling blue skies.

  But Amy wants more. She closes her dark eyes, imagine snap, crackle and pop. Once she opens them up, rice crispiest pours down like sweet rain.

  All she can see is all she can eat, hearing the whispers of lost souls in her cold, uncomfortable room. When she turns around, the toys are silenced – no longer awake or playfully alive.

  Suddenly repeated knocks on the steel wooden door, inspires her to listen, carefully listen, she walk and knock back. (368 words)