Thursday – A Little Personal – The Creature

January 11, 2018 · by John W. Howell · in A Little Personal · 65 Comments

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. How are you?

“Just fine. You know I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Come closer.”

“Is this close enough?”

“Yes, Boss. What I need to tell you I don’t want mom to know.”

“Sounds serious. What is it?”

“Yesterday we were walking in the neighborhood and—”

“There is something in the storm drain Pops. It hissed at us and made a splash.”

“Thank you, Bailey. Do you know what it is?”

“No. I don’t think I want to know.”

“I’m telling you, Boss. You have to see this thing for yourself.”

“Okay, Lucy. How about on walk we investigate.”

“How about mom? She goes with us on a walk.”

“She’ll be okay. She needs to know too.”

‘So here is the dreaded sewer. I’m looking in here and don’t see anything.”

“Go closer, Boss. ”

“Still nothing. Why don’t you two come over here?”

‘Not me Pops. Lucy, you go ahead. Quit tugging my leash.”

“Uh, no. I’m good from back here.”

“Sorry Bailey. Well, ladies. I don’t see or hear a thing.”

“We are sure there was something, Boss. I think it is time to go home.”

“Well that was a bust. I guess we’ll never know what is in there.”

“I think you are right Bailey. It could be anything. Maybe a fish got caught in there.”

“This was no fish, Pops.”

“Yeah, Boss. It wasn’t a fish.”

“You okay though, Lucy.”

“I think I’ll have a little lay down. Things will look brighter at dinner time.”

“Good idea, Lucy. I’ll call you when its time.”

“You’re a mensch, Boss.”

Tags: A little personal, author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, Lucy and Bailey, My GRL, Our Justice, thriller fiction

65 comments

Jill Weatherholt · January 11, 2018 - 4:07 am ·

I believe them…an alligator perhaps? That second shot of Lucy cracks me up! Good one, John! Happy Thursday!

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:43 am ·
  
  Good guess on the Alligator, Jill. That’s what I think. 🙂
  
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Keith Channing · January 11, 2018 - 4:27 am ·

Let us know when you find out what it is, John. Can’t have the pups at risk, can we?

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:43 am ·
  
  For sure. The only other strange thing is half eaten fish floating in the water. Could be alligator.
  
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Staci Troilo · January 11, 2018 - 4:56 am ·

Oh, those poor girls. Their expressions are priceless. You are a mensch, John.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:42 am ·
  
  Thanks, Staci. 😀
  
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quiall · January 11, 2018 - 6:04 am ·

Flashback to the movie “It”! The drain scene terrified me, still does.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:41 am ·
  
  I know, Pam. I’m with you. Thanks.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · January 11, 2018 - 6:12 am ·

I keep thinking of Pennywise, but I didn’t think he goes for dogs. Now, I’m curious as to what it could have been.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:41 am ·
  
  Sine I have found half eaten fish floating in the pond I’m guessing alligator.
  
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  1. Charles Yallowitz · January 11, 2018 - 8:30 am ·
    
    And here I thought alligators in the sewers was only an urban legend.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:22 am ·
      
      Our sewer is connected to the holding pond for rain water run off so technically it is just part of the pond.
      
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Teagan R. Geneviene · January 11, 2018 - 6:46 am ·

I’m with the dogs, John. That looks like an eye at the corner of the drain cover. 😀
Delightful Thursday morning visit. It relaxed me in the face of the workday. Well, not relaxed, but it helped. Hugs!

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:40 am ·
  
  Good deal, Teagan. There is more to life than work for sure. Hoping you thrive today. Hugs.
  
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  1. Teagan R. Geneviene · January 11, 2018 - 8:55 am ·
    
    I should have known that you would not miss the fact that I didn’t mention “thriving Thursday”… I’m busted. But now I will try my best to have a thriving Thursday, and always (of course) wish you one as well. Hugs back!
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:20 am ·
      
      Ha ha ha. Unintentional, but always want you to thrive cause sometimes the work world doesn’t.
      
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Dan Antion · January 11, 2018 - 6:53 am ·

I’m going to go with Lucy’s instinct, John. I’d lock the doors early tonight…maybe sleep with a bat near your bed.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:39 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Thanks, Dan.
  
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Jan Hawke · January 11, 2018 - 7:32 am ·

Awww! Sometimes superior nasal abilities can be a curse! 🙂
If Toby had been there it would have been hard to stop him from going down the drain to investigate further – the number of times he’s got in trouble following a scent is unscalable! 😛

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 7:38 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. I guess ours just don’t have it. Thanks, Jan
  
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aFrankAngle · January 11, 2018 - 8:03 am ·

Definitely a giant hissing cockroach mutating in the sewer. …. FYI: I really enjoy this series. 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:25 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. From Madagascar I’m sure. I’m glad you enjoy it, Frank.
  
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  1. aFrankAngle · January 12, 2018 - 5:21 am ·
    
    Good Morning John. I saw something this morning that I knew I had to pass along to you. https://tinyurl.com/y7tx87h3 … Enjoy!
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 12, 2018 - 8:05 am ·
      
      Ha ha ha. Good one, Donald.
      
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    2. aFrankAngle · January 12, 2018 - 8:15 am ·
      
      … and Obama not the one approving the new embassy.
      
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    3. John W. Howell · January 12, 2018 - 8:30 am ·
      
      I know right? Perfect blame scene though.
      
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    4. aFrankAngle · January 12, 2018 - 8:33 am ·
      
      At least he knows the recipe for assigning blame.
      
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    5. John W. Howell · January 12, 2018 - 12:23 pm ·
      
      Gotta give him want. No wait, don’t.
      
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coldhandboyack · January 11, 2018 - 8:12 am ·

It’s good they alerted you before you went spelunking in the sewers for one of your views of the neighborhood.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:24 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Yes. I could see a nose job in the future.
  
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Gwen Plano · January 11, 2018 - 8:12 am ·

Another delightful dialogue, John. Lucy and Bailey are not only beautiful, they are considerate – they don’t want to alarm Mom. Anything that hisses is alarming and definitely to be avoided. Have a wonderful, hiss-free day. 😀

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:24 am ·
  
  Thank you, Gwen. Have a beautiful day.
  
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Natalie Ducey · January 11, 2018 - 8:35 am ·

Always a treat, John! I’m curious to know what the sound was. lol. Have a wonderful day! 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:21 am ·
  
  Me too, Natalie. I’ll try to find out.
  
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  1. Natalie Ducey · January 11, 2018 - 9:48 am ·
    
    🙂
    
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Almost Iowa · January 11, 2018 - 8:43 am ·

CRITTER: Hey Mom.

CRITTER MOTHER: What?

CRITTER: There is something looking down at us from outside the gutter.

CRITTER MOTHER: [looks] I don’t see anything.

CRITTER: I think it’s a dog.

CRITTER MOTHER: Probably just your imagination.

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1. Teagan R. Geneviene · January 11, 2018 - 8:56 am ·
  
  Ha!!!! That’s fabulous.
  
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  1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:19 am ·
    
    Greg’s the best. Thanks, Teagan.
    
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2. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:21 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Well done, Greg. Thanks. 😀
  
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Mae Clair · January 11, 2018 - 9:04 am ·

I love the little monster twist. And this is how (doggy) urban legends are born!

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 9:19 am ·
  
  Yes. This might be a mystery plot in the making. (No wings though)
  
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  1. Mae Clair · January 11, 2018 - 10:39 am ·
    
    I thought the wings would be kind of tough fitting down there 🙂
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 10:42 am ·
      
      Me too. 😀
      
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sorryless · January 11, 2018 - 10:09 am ·

It’s either Pennywise or Johnny Manziel. Maybe both . . .

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 10:43 am ·
  
  I’ll go with Johnny football.
  
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  1. sorryless · January 11, 2018 - 10:52 am ·
    
    I would have to agree. Definitely the scarier of the two . . .
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:13 pm ·
      
      Ha ha ha
      
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rijanjks · January 11, 2018 - 10:24 am ·

These two are so entertaining! I love their expressions. This was a case of genuine worry. Glad you didn’t find anything in the dreaded sewer. 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 10:43 am ·
  
  Ha hah a. Not to say it is not there. We’ll keep hunting.
  
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D.L Finn, Author · January 11, 2018 - 11:22 am ·

As long as it isn’t a clown and a balloon didn’t float by…lol. The hissing rules out a cute duck…an alligator or snake?

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:11 pm ·
  
  I’m thinking Alligator. No telling what Hurricane Harvey threw into out pond.
  
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Vashti Q · January 11, 2018 - 12:59 pm ·

Ha, ha! Have you been reading “It” by Stephen King to the kids at bedtime again? 😉 This is so cute. Love it!

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:10 pm ·
  
  Thanks Vashti. It would appear as if I had been reading IT to them. 😀
  
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Debbie · January 11, 2018 - 1:12 pm ·

Everything’s more manageable after a nice snoozle!! Wonder what was in the storm drain? Oh, and I love Bailey’s leash — very colorful!

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:09 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Debbie.
  
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Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · January 11, 2018 - 3:00 pm ·

Maybe a possum. Smiles.

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1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:04 pm ·
  
  Ha haha. I thought so too until the half eaten fish show up. Could be a snapping turtle too.
  
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  1. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · January 11, 2018 - 3:09 pm ·
    
    Yeah, the turtle would frighten me as a pup on a walk. Those sweet noses would take a lashing.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 11, 2018 - 3:32 pm ·
      
      They stay pretty much out of harm’s way.
      
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Teri Polen · January 12, 2018 - 8:21 am ·

Have you seen any clowns in the neighborhood?

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1. John W. Howell · January 12, 2018 - 8:30 am ·
  
  With shiny eyes? No. 😀
  
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dweezer19 · January 12, 2018 - 3:30 pm ·

No red ballons though….right?! 😱

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The Thrifty Campers · January 12, 2018 - 4:06 pm ·

Haha hmm wonder what it could have been…🐶

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robbiesinspiration · January 14, 2018 - 6:07 am ·

Oh dear, reminds me of It by Stephen King, John. Don’t go near the drains…

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1. John W. Howell · January 14, 2018 - 8:17 am ·
  
  I know right. We heard the thing again last evening.
  
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