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Even Monkey’s Fall From Trees

By

Karen B

   I knew it would only be a matter of time. Their super hero attitude would fail them beyond repair. Even monkey’s fall from trees! One day those two would fall I only hoped they could pick themselves up and climb back into that jungle they called home.

   There was nothing I could do I was roosted in my spot like always unrenowned to others. A silent observer maybe the one who knew them best of all. They were unaware of me as I watched over them. Saw the days of frustration, the nights of unending horror and crime. They were like modern day knights in shining armor. The Robin Hoods of the city looking out for the poor and helping the needy. Supermen in street clothes but without the power of x-ray vision without the strength of a locomotive. Their weaknesses that of normal men. Fighting the demons of this city that were forever crawling out of the sewers. Kryptonite was the least of their worries.

   I most likely was the only one who saw through the jokes, the facade of who was smarter or who was the best shot. The complaints and jarring on where to eat, what to eat, and how to eat it. The constant ribbing of this here finely polished red piece of workmanship, Picasso couldn’t do a better job.

   They loved each other more then life itself.

   I’d seen it before one would lay down his life for the other no questions asked no hesitation, not a thought for his own safety. Unselfish, unbridled, no holding back not an ounce of self-involved. If one was hurt or needed help the other was there by his side. I think they would fly to the ends of the galaxy for each other, walk through fire, maybe even walk on water. Defiantly jump into the eternal fiery pit of Beelzebub to help the other.

   I don’t really think one could go on without the other. Their connection to one another seemed to run through their souls. If one stopped living the other would be right behind. I think that’s why they are so willing to die for each other. The instinct of survival both knowing down deep into their being one would never survive without the other. Two lives that were truly twined into one. One alone on this earth would be like half a moon, the eclipse of the sun, the melting of the icebergs, a wet match no use to himself or anyone.

   Any way there I was stationed like always watching them walk out the door. The usual talk of dinner and joking that always went on every day. I didn’t see the danger coming no more then he did. But his faithful side kick sure saw it. He is truly the brains of the duo I must agree with that although his taste in cars is less then desirable.

   Well he had nowhere to go nowhere he could run the danger floored its way toward him. The sound of death filled the air. The glass rained down on him and he cried out to the other half of his life.

   There he lay the one who cared for me like no other. My commander and chief. The one who stood up for me when others would call me names. He would lovingly caress me took care of me like a father would tend to his child. His love for me a close second to Mr. sidekick over there.

~~~~~~~~

   The tall one stood a shell of a man staring in disbelief and grief. He couldn’t move, and I don’t blame him. I could tell the blood stained cement and the unmoving form that lay in it sucked away his ability to think, to function.

   Get over to him I wanted to shout move now he needs you, help him. The words I begged to say unable to escape me. The shell still stood not moving to help his friend. I watched, as his soul seemed to drain like a bathtub. The tornado sucked him down deep. Damn it get to him, he’s dying, dieting on the cold pavement, choking on his own life’s fluids that are seeping out of him like a leaking radiator.

   Gees, about the hell time. The shell moved felt like forever. His instincts taking hold he slid into his friend like a ball player sliding into home plate. Jarred him good too. Poor guy rolled from his side onto his back with the force. Don’t think he meant to do that to him, but he wasn’t all there ya know. The blood was everywhere on both of them. If I didn’t see what had happened I’d say they both were hurt bad.

   By now all the other blue suits were flying around like chickens with no heads. But I was there closer then any of them in spirit. I could feel the pain both were in. Mr. side kick held him so close, and tight I thought he would choke the life out of him. His face told me the whole truth it was bad, the worst, he was terrified beyond speaking. He visibly shook as he held tight to his other half of life.

   My commander and chief opened his twilight blue eyes just once and looked up into the satin blue eyes of his other half out of his mind partner. Between gasping and gurgle sounds he managed a smile. That beautiful, playful, innocent, lopsided smile. I don’t think he was feeling too much pain but his eyes told he knew the seriousness of his predicament. His smile faded though when he saw the hurt in his sidekick’s eyes. He tried feebly to reach up to touch his face but his hand wouldn’t obey his mind. I watched the blond quickly lace his fingers between the dark ones and hold fast. He would not let go. The pair stared to one another the blue eyes holding the life line between them tight neither wanted to let go. The blond spoke in quiet gently begging tones.

   All words I have heard before at one time or another through the years I have known them. But this time he choked them out in utter sorrow. I thought even I would melt into a twisted heap from the pain.

   "Starsk, I’m hear, you see me partner? Keep looking at me look into my eyes. I got ya buddy you understand me I got ya. You're not going anywhere you got it. You’re not going anywhere partner." The brown head nodded unable to speak between gasps of breath. He wanted to let his partner know he heard. Wanted to speak the words that his mind held, but was unable to do anything but keep his eyes locked on to those above him.

   More words from the sidekick filtered around me. "I love you Starsk, Ya hear me Gordo I love you don’t you go leaving me here alone." He shook his partner some with uncontrolled fear that I have never seen him display.

   His plush blue eyes wanted to surrender to the darkness that kept trying to claim him and fluttered shut. At the violent shaking his eyes opened but only a sliver of twilight was seen. I could see him struggle to keep watch of the blond. He didn’t want to leave him but I think it was out of his hands now. The game of tug of war become a game of whose got the last word.

   Words formed out of his mouth. I don’t know how he did it the blood he coughed up dripped down his cheek and plopped to pavement and rippled through the pool that was already there. His head arched back ward as he struggled to breathe. His eyes never left his partners. By god if it were the last thing he did on this blue sphere floating in space he was going to tell his partner his friend his other half of life how he felt in return. He gurgled more blood came out his nose and ears as well.

   I watched his sidekicks lips press together and eyes squeeze shut only for a brief moment at the pain in his heart. Feeling the tug of the rope he held tightly to loosen they flew back open to connect with his partners.

   My commander and chief took a steadying breath and his eyes shooting daggers into his partners he spoke the words his heart had held "Hutch... Love you. Best friend.... World." The laced fingers squeezed in unison one last time and both eyes ripped into each other their souls interchanging like beams of light between them. I watched both men smile not just any old smile. But a smile between them that held the bond of no greater love imaginable. His twilight blue slits could no longer ignore the call of something distant as they closed.

   Then I watched him that blond Blintz lug raise his head up to the sky like a lonely wolf howling to the moon. The scream was the most horrific sound I have ever heard. It erupted from the depths of some in human place as his heart severed in two.

   That's when the ambulance arrived finally slow as hell vehicles if ya ask me. The hefty one they call Dobey hauled the side kick up as the paramedics took up position next to my commander. Dobey was a father to them. A smack on the wrist when scolding and a slap on the back for praise. They looked up to him with reverent respect. The man was on a pedestal of honor and dignity, a fountain of wisdom and strength. He hugged the sidekick tightly practically holding him up in his arms. After a few moments of embrace both leaned heavy against one another in grief as they headed toward Dobey’s semi decent car.

   They took him away on a bed with wheels loaded him into that stupid hunk of tin. God I prayed they got him to the hospital on time. I didn’t know, wouldn’t know for weeks what had happened to him.

   After a few hours of poking and prodding by some stranger’s digging the bullets out of my frame the tow truck (Another piece of mangled metal unfit for man or beast if ya ask me) came and hauled me away to some dark garage. I was alone not knowing and afraid of never seeing my owner ever again. Of being sent to the junk heap as Mr. sidekick would so often threaten to do with me. Or of some stranger ending up with me and repainting me in some sissy color like pink or yellow. Selling me to some old granny sitting low, with glasses, and wearing a hat with flowers in it, driving 20 miles an hour forever. Oh boy what a nightmare. Even monkey’s fall from tree’s well not this monkey. That sidekick of his won’t let anything happen to me (or him). If his partner loves something so does he. And my commander and chief loves me so I have nothing to fear.

   Finally I was hauled out of that dark cavern they called impound. And sidekick took me to my favorite place next to home. Merle’s spa where a car could count on a total overhaul and come out with luster upon luster as if nothin had ever happened.

   And although my commander wouldn’t be sitting in the left seat he would be in the right, and sidekick would be there to help him finish the race with me close behind.

THE END