Thoughts and Random Things

The Neighbors Would Think Me Crazy

Music pounded in my ears as I strolled down the sidewalk, silently and lonely. Guitars screeched and lead singers screamed. It took every ounce of my willpower not to scream along. If I did, the neighbors would think me crazy.

"Excuse me," said a girl's voice. I looked up and saw a fair young woman, in a white ruffled blouse and flowered midi skirt. A small dog yipped by her ankles. That dog-- that goddamn dog looked so familiar. As the girl walked past, I couldn't get the sight of her dog out of my mind. Suddenly, I remembered where I had seen that dog before. I felt a flashback about to take over me, but I suppressed it by focusing on the music and nothing but the music. My brain wanted to have that flashback, but I couldn't let it. The neighbors would think me crazy.

Finally my heart rate slowed again and my walking speed picked up. The song changed to another one, by the same band. This one has been one of my longtime favorites. I hummed the tune along with the singer. Suddenly, my foot landed in something squishy. I gasped softly in surprise. I looked down and paused the music. I picked my foot up, but the brown sludge still stuck to my shoe. I wiped my foot off on a clean part of the concrete. No luck. I shifted my gaze to the left. On the lawn of the house there was a garden hose. I briefly considered stealing the hose to clean up the mess-- God, I couldn't stand  mess. I decided not to steal the hose. The neighbors would think me crazy.

My house came into view, and I wiped my feet on the doormat before entering. I stepped calmly through the doorway, took out my earbuds, and removed my shoes. I was about to go clean them off when I caught sight of Tammy sitting on the couch. Tammy. My beautiful wife Tammy. I walked up to her, staring lovingly into her shocked, lifeless eyes. I leaned in and kissed her temple, right in between the two parallel stab wounds. I took her cold, bloody hand in mine. I would dispose of her body later; I would keep her for now, since she was so pretty to look at. Besides, I couldn't get rid of her body in broad daylight. The neighbors would think me crazy.