Blue Strawberry

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I had only been home a few days from the hospital when the arguments had started. Dad was back from his job as a courier just long enough to have a heated debate about my rehabilitation. I could hear him in the kitchen, ranting about it being pointless and my Mum reverberating back that we at least had to attempt to get me walking again.

I could hear their voices getting louder and louder above the television as I watched yet another comedy repeat in the front room. Their harsh voices distracted me from the punch lines. They had now raged on to house renovations and how to improve wheelchair access. Dad was adamant about changing the house layout, were as Mum was already picking out a new house to move into.

I needed to get out away from all the stress. I levered myself off the couch and into my wheelchair next to me, I spun my chair around and headed out the lounge door across the hall and towards the front door. I’d never let myself out of the house before, since I’d become paralysed. I couldn’t reach the handle while sitting in my wheelchair, so I summoned up all my strength and slightly lifted myself up out of my chair with one hand and reached out towards the handle with the other. It took all of my effort and a lot of perseverance to reach the door latch but with one extra small stretch, I managed to flick the handle with my fingers and the front door flung open.

I could still hear the din of voices from the kitchen as I made my way down the drive, my Mum and Dad were too busy debating to even realise I had left the house. I swung my wheelchair aimlessly to my right and sped my wheels as fast as they could go along the pavement. I hadn’t got far until I wondered what I was doing and where in fact I had planned to go. My concentration was lost and one of my back wheels veered off the pavement and got stuck on the curb bringing me to an abrupt halt.

“God damn it” I curse

“Having problems, there young Sir.” Says an unfamiliar voice above me

“It’s you, the smart bowler hat man.” I state as I look up and see the suit man with his bowler hat and unopened umbrella, who I saw when I had my accident and at the hospital

“Smart Bowler hat man, that’s very kind of you to say, I’m Mr Tattershall.” He announced

“Elliott, Elliott Finch.” I reply as I offer my hand forward

“I’m very pleased to meet you Elliott.” Responded Mr Tattershall as he shook my hand firmly

“I’m a bit stuck.” I announce as I try in vain to move my wheels

“Pardon me, where are my manners let me help you, Elliott.” Says Mr Tattershall as he lifts up my wheel and chair with surprising ease and puts all my four wheels back on the pavement

“Thank you” I acknowledge as I survey Mr Tattershall Gaunt old face

“My pleasure” Says Mr Tattershall as he tips his bowler hat

“I’ve seen you before, after my accident and then again in the hospital.” I question

“Indeed you have, I’ve been watching your nightmare unfold, Elliott.” Remarks Mr Tattershall

“But why,” I ask “Are you here to help me?”

 “Maybe,” Observes Mr Tattershall “I’ve noticed your strength under adversity.”

“There is no strength left in my legs.” I mutter

 “Here take this blue strawberry, consume it and you will receive a change of luck, Elliott.” Says Mr Tattershall as he places a blue strawberry on my knee

“Thank you, I think.” I respond

“Remember, this is not like any Fairy tale you have read before, I can assure you of that, Elliott.” Says Mr Tattershall as he puts up his umbrella and walks away

“It’s not raining.” I state

“Ah yes, but you never know when it might, you Elliott should know this most of all.” Replied Mr Tattershall

I looked down at the blue strawberry sitting on my knee and when I glanced back up again, Mr Tattershall was nowhere to be seen

“Elliott, I’ve found you.” I hear my Mum screech hysterically from behind me

I quickly pulled out my handkerchief from my pocket and wrap it around the blue strawberry on my knee and pop it into my pocket.

“Hey, mum.” I mumble as I spin my wheelchair round to face her

“Elliott, I thought I’d lost you” Cries Mum as she hugs me and her grey streak of hair cascades off her head and on to my face

“That’s enough mum, you can let go now.” I muffle through her hair

“Where were you going?” she asks as she releases me from her bear hug

“I don’t know, I just thought I’d take my wheels for a spin.” I chuckle

“Well, next time you need to let me know when you want to go out for a spin so I can come with you.” Worries Mum “Let’s get you back home.”

So here I am back at the beginning of the story, no you don’t need to go back to Chapter one. I’ll give you the quick recap.

I’m sitting in the kitchen looking at the blue strawberry on the table, thinking of colours of fruit and vegetables, Mum and Dad back arguing, but now in the lounge.

I should eat the blue strawberry?

Mr Tattershall said it would give me a change of luck and a change of luck is something I defiantly required.

I’m going to eat the blue strawberry.

Ok, I remove the green stalk and bite the bottom end of the strawberry. A vile sour taste radiates throughout my mouth, I quickly wheel over to the kitchen bin. I’m going to spit this horrible taste out of mouth. Consume it, I suddenly think of the words Mr Tattershall had said. So in a moment of madness I gulp down the chunk of blue strawberry. I rush to the bottom cupboard and grab a can of cola, and rapidly tug at the ring pull, it fizzles as it opens and I guzzle down the contents to remove the ghastly sour taste of the blue strawberry.