Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell

Hump day

 

It is Wednesday Story day again and last week we left Lucas having an interesting discussion with Alice Weston one of the members of the Property Owners Association. I don’t know about you but I got some distinctive cougar vibes from Alice. Well, Lucas promised to get the form back to Place which he did that afternoon. I think we can join Lucas at the Widow Murphy’s house where he has started to paint.
“Hey there, boy.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I talked to Alice Weston a few minutes ago and she and the property owner board members are meeting this morning.”
“Thank you, sir. She told me that yesterday.”
“Well if she told you that why are you painting. I don’t think this project has been approved.”
“Well sir, Mrs. Weston told me she didn’t think it would be a problem.’
“I know son, but we have rules. You can’t start on the house until the approval is official. Where is Mrs. Murphy?”
“Oh, she went to the store a few minutes ago.”
“Funny there is only one main street in this neighborhood and I didn’t pass her.”
“Well, maybe it was longer. I may have lost track of time.”
“You’re not a drinker are you son?”
“No, sir. When I’m busy I just lose track.”
“Yeah, I’m the same way. My name’s Gibson and I’m the sheriff here.”
“Oh, Mr. Gibson. So nice to meet you.”
“I also live down the street so I keep an eye on the rules. You understand?”
“I sure do sir. I certainly don’t want to break any.”
“Well then, I would get off that ladder and wait for your approval. When’s Mrs. Murphy getting back?”
“I couldn’t say, sir. It’s not my nature to pry. I didn’t ask and she didn’t tell me.”
“Okay, son. Tell her I was by and would like to talk to her. Nothing urgent. It’ about the police fundraiser’s all.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll give her the message.”
“No more painting until Mrs. Weston comes by with the approval.”
“Yes, sir.”

55 thoughts on “Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day”

  2. “I also live down the street so I keep an eye on the rules. You understand?”

    If you ever feel the need to understand what life was like in Nazi-Germany or Communist Cuba, move to a community controlled by a home-owner’s association.

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  4. This is why I’m glad to have never lived under an HOA. Don’t think I could cut it. Keep thinking they’ll turn into a cult that chooses a yearly sacrifice to whatever Cthulian beast is sleeping beneath the ground.

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  7. This one came through the Reader like a champ. I love the idea of an HOA that’s completely over the top. I have notes along that line somewhere in one of my living documents. Now you’re making me think. They could make a good antagonist for Barbi, the girl who woke up post disaster.

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    1. Yeah, I’m glad. The happy engineers got back to me and want a specific post that did not go through. They say all my settings look correct. You story about an HOA in the Barbi story would be hysterical. I could see the letter nailed on her broken down house requesting that she make the repairs immediately or face a fine.

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      1. I need to hang onto the idea for a while. Maybe it will ferment into something good. Right now all I’ve got are HOA board flunkies wearing blazers with matching armbands, ala Nazis. It would require more story.

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  10. Hmm, this raises all sorts of questions, John. Did Mrs. Murphy really go to the store? If not, where did she go? What are the penalties for violating the HOA rules? Is this really Sheriff Gibson? Is he on the up and up? Lots of quandaries awaiting your magical touch!

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  12. Oooooo…! The sheriff should have passed the widow as he came up the road — he’s already nosing around… Cougar Alice is on the way… John — the game is afoot!!!
    “What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet
    Thanks for a wonderful Wednesday lunch break, John. Mega hugs.

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  14. Can a human body be ground down and secreted in paint? Eeek! The places you have sent my poor old mind spinning off to. Lovin’ this story. What was that song again … hmm … “I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.” lol.

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  16. I don’t know. I can’t help suspecting the sheriff doesn’t care so much about the wall painting one way or the other but simply thinks the kid’s up to something and wanted to take a closer look. I’ll have to wait and see if my guess is anywhere near the truth or is wildly off.

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