KOI FISH ROMANCE IN IOWA //🐟 A NOVEL 🐟// BY: MR. OMAR KING

8

*RING RING*

Olive answers the dark yellow telephone upon the small coffee table that is in the middle of the living room: between the couch and Gary's glass fish tank: lights spilling through it. Olive takes a deep breath and then says "hello?" in a question. "Kankertale, hey, how are you, girl." Says a sweet old raspy hilarious old woman's voice in the end of the phone: it's Margie.

OLIVE: Margie? Margie, hey.

MARGE: Hey, Livy.

Olive eyes at Gary and whispers to him that it's Margie, Margie is on the phone.

OLIVE: Margie. I'm doing all right, I'm here sweeping, mopping the white tile floor, and cleaning the house. No big deal. Just the usual.

MARGIE: No big deal? Just the usual? And you are cleaning your house, for who. If you're cleaning your house, you must be cleaning your home for somebody. Are your kids in town or something?

OLIVE: No, no, no; my kids aren't in town, I wish. But wouldn't it be grand if they were in town... it would be a good day. But today is a good day, Marge.

MARGE: Oh? How so?

Olive flickers with her sapphire blue buttons on her violet vest that she is wearing. Yet again: she takes a few breaths and tells her the news.

OLIVE: Well, I have a visitor, a friend coming over to see me, for dinner. Ahhh, ain't that exciting, I'm so happy and excited.

MARGIE: Really? Well, good for you, hun. I'm so happy for you. I'm glad you have a friend over for dinner, that's what you need during these tough times.

OLIVE: Yeah.... *calmly sighs*

OLIVE: So, how is your family? How's Charles, how are your kids? I heard that little Charlie junior got a promotion down at the retail department as Co-Manager and also he found a new girlfriend: a skinny blonde with nice tits. Is that true?

MARGIE: Oh yes, Livy. That is true: indeed. I was so surprised and happy for Charlie getting his promotion as Co-Manager of the retail department, I was in my living room eating banana bread when I got the news from Charlie on the telephone. I was also in utter shock when he brought a girl over to my house just to see me: and yes she is a blonde, and she does have nice tits and a beautiful figure. She looks like a movie star of the ages, Livy.

OLIVE: Maybe she could be a movie star? I could see it.. now. A star of the ages: winning an academy award or some kind of an award for best actress or best actress in a supporting role.

MARGE: Yeah right, Olive. And pigs could fly and chickens could talk.

OLIVE: Who knows, it could be a possibility. Anything is possible.

MARGIE: Yeah, like, you having a friend over at your home for dinner, that's a possibility and the arrangement is happening. I'm so happy for you, congratulations. Wait, is this "friend" of yours coming to dinner this evening?

OLIVE: Yes.

MARGE: WOWZERS! I can't believe that, a friend is coming to dinner at your house... this evening. You're a lucky lady, Livy.

OLIVE: Thanks, Margie. But: you're a lucky lady yourself as well, you have Charles and a soon to be daughter in law that has a fine ass of a model's ass: the porn girl one's. That is to be happy and lucky for. My kids aren't around much and they don't bring the grandchildren over here a lot, I miss them all, and it sure does get lonely sometimes. But that's okay, there is nothing to be sad about, because I don't regret anything. You see, I have Gary: my neon yellow koi fish. Gary is my friend... and he is always there for me when I need him the most. In a way I'm blessed and lucky that I have him, I don't what I'd do without him, you know? I don't know what I'd do without him?

Olive takes a pause again and then darts her eyes at Gary and studies him as he is elegantly swimming in his tank like a good boy... or should we say... a good man that he is. Continues her conversation with Margie as her eyes still watches Gary's every move, swim for swim, gulp for gulp, and squint for squint as well.

MARGIE: You'd go crazy, without him. That's what would happen: if you didn't have Gary with you. Poor little guy, being stuck in that fish tank for hours and hours, everyday swimming in that tank of his, you're even lucky that he is alive, you should cherish that.

OLIVE: I know, and I am every second of it....

MARGIE: Yeah?

OLIVE: Yeah.

MARGE: Well. Hon. I think I have to let you go, Charles has just arrived from his shift from that factory of his. I tell ya, that place always ruins him, he's tired every time he gets home, all he does is sleep and sleep some more and then eat dinner and then go outside and walk outside the field for hours and hours until the sun goes down or when it's time for sleep. I keep insisting him to retire for once: but stubborn old brute that he is won't do it, he won't quit his job at the factory. He says that it keeps him company, active, making a living, and also a reason to live. For crying out loud, I'm his reason to live and his company... I just don't understand? But, you know how it is. "It's complicated" as always. But, my god I love him, he's my reason to live as well...

OLIVE: Just like Gary. He's my reason to live as well.

MARGIE: Yeah, exactly. Just like Gary.

OLIVE:......

MARGIE: But, I need to let you go and do your thing. Charles Says hi: by the way. Ummm, tell me everything when your meeting with this stranger is over, alright? I want to know everything. Have fun and I'll chat with you later. T. T. Y. L, hon.

OLIVE: Yes. T. T. Y. L.... right back at ya.

MARGE: LOVE YA AND SEE YA.

OLIVE: Bye.

Olive hangs up the phone and place it back onto the small coffee table. She looks upon the white ceramic floor and ponders for a moment. The living room is quiet, and the electricity from Gary's tank continues to make calm buzzing sounds. Olive is pleased.