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    Curious Things
    Curious Things
    Curious Things
    Ebook104 pages1 hour

    Curious Things

    By Joanne Van Leerdam

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Curious Things.

    Stories about a black cat, superstition and strange events. 

    Friday is a black cat with a lucky habit of being present when curious things take place. 

    He's highly intelligent, fiercely loyal and devilishly handsome. 

    If you've ever wished for karma to move a little faster, indulged in uncharitable thoughts about certain annoying people, or suspected that having a black cat cross your path was not quite as unlucky as people seem to think, these stories are for you. 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWordyNerdBird
    Release dateNov 9, 2017
    ISBN9781386281917
    Curious Things
    Author

    Joanne Van Leerdam

    Joanne Van Leerdam is a poet, blogger, writer, thinker, puzzler, teacher, traveller, photographer and generally nice person. Despite having lived all her life in Australia, she has, thus, far, avoided being killed or consumed by any of the deadly wildlife, which is probably a good thing.  Other than Australia, Canada is her favourite place in the world.  In addition to writing powerful, thought-provoking poetry and short-but-incredibly meaningful stories,  she teaches senior high school English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.   Her poetry is contemporary, sensual, moody and easy to read - and it will get you in the feelings.

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      Book preview

      Curious Things - Joanne Van Leerdam

      Friday Morning.

      Curious Things.

      Caution: Men At Work.

      The Unwelcome Guest.

      Bless You!

      As Luck Would Have It.

      Strange Ways.

      The Unreal Estate Agent.

      Misfortune Cookies.

      Finders, Keepers.

      Jealousy’s A Curse.

      The Cat Burglar.

      Ask Not For Whom The Bell Tolls.

      Friday was sleek and glossy. He took pride in the smoothness of his black coat and the perfect length of his whiskers. While most of his feline acquaintances were content to sleep for twenty-two hours of the day, Friday was a cat with a purpose. 

      He yowled at the door early in the morning, impatient for Trixie to let him out into the garden. There were things that must be done and places where he preferred to do them. 

      As she opened the door for him, Friday shot out into the yard. Looking back as he darted behind a low, dense bush for privacy, he saw her eyes had followed him and were now fixed on something beyond his concealed position. Trixie’s eyes were almost as wide open as her mouth. 

      Urgent business completed, Friday turned to see his beloved Trixie’s husband in the neighbour’s front yard, hastily removing his arms and lips from their neighbour. Both were red-faced and speechless, having become aware that they had been witnessed not only by Trixie, but also by other neighbours and the teenager who delivered the morning newspapers. 

      A deep, low growl erupted in Friday’s belly. His eyes narrowed and his tail swished like a whip.

      In the next instant, the earth shook and split open with a thunderous sound so loud that everyone turned to stare. Rooted to the spot in fear, the colour drained out of the lovers’ guilty, embarrassed faces and their mouths opened simultaneously to scream, but the sound of their terrified cries disappeared with them as they plunged into the abyss and were swallowed by the earth beneath them. Red-hot flames leapt out, scorching the earth around the mouth of the cavernous hole, and the pungent smell of brimstone pervaded the cool morning air as the deep pit belched before it closed up seamlessly, leaving no trace of any hole in the ground, nor of those who had fallen into it.

      Friday bolted back across the lawn and rubbed against Trixie’s ankles. He meowed in condolence, sensing deeply her shock and hurt feelings. Absentmindedly, she picked him up and carried him back indoors. Oh, Friday, she sighed. If only some things could be unseen... or never done in the first place. Thank you for being lovely and trying to comfort me.

      As Trixie went about her morning routine, he was surprised that there were no tears or bad words. She forgot to feed him before she left for town, but that night they both dined on smoked salmon. 

      ––––––––

      Friday lazed in the garden on the sunny October afternoon, confident that he could not be seen by passers-by. He liked to watch them, but rarely appreciated it when they returned the favour. It was easy to conceal himself underneath the bushes, enjoying the filtered sunshine while he preened or dozed. 

      The sound of sing-song chants became louder as a young woman and two children approached along the sidewalk. They seemed happy, content in each other's company and very much enjoying their time together. 

      As they drew nearer, Julia called out to her children with a sense of urgency in her voice.  Kids, come back! I've left my phone at home! We have to go back and get it! 

      Aw, man! the boy said. All that way?

      It's half a block, and you'll survive! his mother said with frustration in her voice. 

      Can we wait here for you, Mama, while you run back? asked the little girl, hopefully. 

      No. We don't know these people. You wouldn't be safe! 

      Friday flicked his tail at the thought of a child not being safe in his yard. There was no way he would allow a child to come to any harm on his watch.

      I'd be with Robbie. He's my big brother. He'll keep me safe.

      Robbie is nine years old, Nina. I'm glad you trust him, but you have to stay with me.  

      Nina understood that there was no room for argument, but her disappointment was clear. Her bottom lip threatened to tremble before she pulled it into a pout. Why did you have to leave your phone at home anyway? Nina grumbled. 

      I didn't have to, I just did. And if I had realised I was going to, I wouldn't have done it! Honestly, I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on. You know that! 

      But... Mama! Your head isn't screwed on! Nina observed sagely. 

      The woman stopped and gave her daughter a horrified look. Her eyes bulged, her mouth opened and her hands flew to her throat. Unable to speak, she made only a ghastly choking sound. 

      Oh Mama, you're such a joker! Robbie laughed as his mother gripped her neck. 

      Laughter turned to shrill screams of rising terror. Friday moved closer to the fence and craned his neck to watch as blood poured from between the young mother's fingers, pulsing from open vessels as she clutched at her neck, trying desperately to stop her head from ripping itself off her body before it fell to the ground with a sickening, squelching thud.  Her hands worked furiously as they tried to staunch the flow of blood from her gory neck while her head lay on the cement, eyes open wide and staring at the bloodied body from which it had fallen. The mouth drooled as it lolled open, emitting an eerie whistling sound as the breeze blew through it and out of her severed trachea. 

      Mama!! Your head! Robbie screamed as he hurried to pick up his mother's head and dust it off.  He lifted it up to her body and placed it on top of her bleeding neck, which instantly sucked the head back onto it.  The bleeding stopped and the skin healed over again, leaving the confused woman whole but drenched in her own blood. 

      I guess we'll really have to go home now! Nina grumbled. But I did tell you Robbie was good at saving people. 

      Friday twitched his black tail as they walked away slowly toward their home, leaving the sidewalk behind them a sticky and bloodied mess. He sincerely hoped the young woman understood that, apart from the trauma she had caused them herself, those children had been perfectly safe the entire time they'd been standing outside his yard. 

      Friday purred gently, looking up at Trixie with adoration as she stroked under his chin and around his ears. He was certainly aware of his luck at having her as his person. She smoothed his glossy coat and kissed his nose, to which he responded by bumping his head against her face and rubbing against her hair. 

      The workers will be working on the road again tomorrow, I suppose. It’s so noisy and dusty, though... I had a terrible headache all day. I think I will go out early and find somewhere quiet to spend the day. I do hope they finish the job soon!

      True to her word, Trixie was up and dressed to head off well before the council workers arrived. As she left, Friday slipped out the door and headed into the back yard where the morning sun warmed his glossy black coat as he stretched out on the garden wall. His peace and quiet was disturbed, however, by the sound of banging and clattering from the street. 

      Friday twitched his tail as he considered

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