A Frickin' Elephant  Everyone collected in the family room after the enormous meal Nettie had prepared. Belts were loosened to make room for their over indulgence. Several conversations started as the men lounged casually, enjoying good company on a Friday evening. Vin climbed onto the sofa with his father, his homework reading book in his hand. Chris smiled, examining the book. Vin had been having extra lessons in reading and the little boy was coming ahead in leaps and bounds.
“It’s about the zoo,” Vin stated, pointing to the word ‘zoo’ so prominently displayed on the cover. Chris nodded and opened the book. Vin read the first page steadily. “Peter and...St -Steven are going to the zoo.” “Good,” Chris prompted, turning the page. Vin smiled, pointing at the picture on the right. “A frickin’ elephant.” Conversation ceased abruptly as all sets of eyes turned to the child. Chris blinked then shot Buck a look that could strip paint from walls. Buck swallowed. He’d been working hard to remove all ‘inappropriate’ words from his vocabulary -- unfortunately, with limited success. Vin looked up and shrank closer to his father. “It’s not?” he asked, nervously. “What did you call it?” Chris prompted, laying his arm across the child’s slim shoulders. He’d had several conversations with J.D. and Vin about swearing and not repeating words just because they’d heard them. Vin placed his finger on the caption below the picture and read, “A frickin’ elephant.” Chris Larabee stared at the book and then burst out laughing. Vin looked up at him wide-eyed. Chris tossed the book aside, wrapped his arms around his son and they began wrestling on the couch. The other occupants of the room exchanged curious glances. Ezra rose and collected the discarded book from the floor. A smile crept onto his face, his gold tooth catching the light and flashing. “He is 100% correct. It says ‘A frickin’ elephant’. Buck peered over Ezra’s shoulder. “African Elephant... ohhh, A-fric-an elephant.” “Phonics have a lot to answer for.” Everyone burst out laughing.
Josiah smiled. “Who would have thought a frickin’ elephant could have such an effect,” he added, watching with great satisfaction as a man who had shut love from his life, and a giggling little boy who had forgotten how to smile, rolled off the sofa onto the mat laughing loudly and totally oblivious to all going on around them. “That, gentleman, is a miracle larger than ‘a frickin’ elephant.’
© June 2008 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of "The Magnificent Seven" and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while. |
