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Back to Normal Again, by Jim Bartlett

23/4/2021

 
Still rubbing her arm, Betty steps into the kitchen, closing the door to the garage behind her. She smiles watching Frank as he makes a beeline for his recliner, the remote already in his hand.

“Is your arm even slightly sore?” she asks, pulling up her sleeve to see if there is any redness. (There isn’t.)

Frank, flopping into the chair and clicking on the TV with one (well-practiced) motion, turns her way. “Ummm? Sore? Oh, the shot. No. Not a bit. But they say some folks really feel the second one. I guess it packs a bigger wallop than the first. Maybe you’re just taking the toll for the both of us...” He smiles and winks, then spins back to the TV.

“Oh, sure...” But she pauses mid-sentence, placing a hand to her chin. “You know, I think you’re right. At least about the first part. Amber next door had some chills, and even Amanda complained about something.”

“Fatigue,” Frank reminds her.

“That’s it!”

Betty moves closer to Frank, looking over his shoulder as he turns up the volume. On the screen, a woman reporter, the mic clenched tightly in her hand, stands silently in front of a police barricade. She takes a long sigh, then continues her report.

“At this point we only know that there have been multiple casualties, including at least one officer, as a result of the shooting. The suspect, a former employee, is considered armed and dangerous, and, we’re told, is still at large. The police have cordoned off a four-block area around the warehouse, and you can probably hear the helicopter circling overhead—“

Frank shakes his head and clicks the remote, switching to another channel.

“Gunfire broke out just outside of this grocery store this morning, leaving two dead and another in critical condition, in what the police are describing as a road rage incident—“

CLICK. Frank takes in a long gulp of air as he changes the channel again. “Really?”

“In national news, police are still searching for a motive in yesterday’s mass shooting at the Calvary Chapel in downtown—“

CLICK. The screen goes black. Frank starts to stand, but Betty reaches from behind and sets her gentle hands on his now tense shoulders.

“Whatever is going on?” she asks.

“Well, I guess the virus is on the wane. ‘Cause it sure looks like things are starting to get back to the old normal. Everyone’s shooting everyone again.”

His words send Betty’s gaze to the fireplace, where a framed picture of their three grandsons sits proudly on the mantel. “Oh, Frankie. They go back to school next week. This can’t be ‘normal’. We can’t let it be.” Her voice trembles and a single tear slides down her cheek. In her anxiousness, she begins to rub her arm again.

Frank stands and pulls her into a hug. “Maybe the next vaccine we need is one that tempers all this hate and anger. Maybe that will help prevent these mass shootings...”
Susan F. Reid
23/4/2021 12:33:09 pm

Jim,
Your story echoes alot of the recent news in the USA and people's concerns about the safety of reopening schools with Covid19 numbers climbing in hotspots throughout the country. I was expecting the man to be the shooter. What a relief..

Jim link
23/4/2021 03:27:32 pm

Thanks Susan. I wish instead of being an echo, it was all just a wild story from some schmuck writer's head.
Take care
Jim

Drew Lackovic
23/4/2021 03:23:33 pm

Nice one, Jim. I think we definitely need that 2nd vaccine.

Jim link
23/4/2021 03:29:01 pm

Thanks Drew. If only -
I'm afraid it'll take more than a vaccine for this one...
Take care
Jim

Pamela Kennedy
23/4/2021 03:45:03 pm

Do you think they'll ever work on a triple vaccine: Love, Kindness, and Goodness? Society is in such a shabby shape right now....

Jim link
23/4/2021 03:50:42 pm

In some cases, I'm afraid we're looking at heart transplants...

Thanks for the read and comments, Pamela
Jim

KathySlats link
23/4/2021 03:57:18 pm

Great writing as usual Jim. I do wish we could vaccinate against hatred and mental illness. As Satchmo said, 🎵 “What A Wonderful World”🎵 that would be❣️

Jim link
23/4/2021 04:09:35 pm

Thanks for your kind comments, Kathy. Mental illness is a tough one, I only wish a vaccine would do the trick and help everyone see the world in a better light.
Take care
Jim

Doug
23/4/2021 04:27:38 pm

Well done Jim. Was your selection of the couples name intentional or subconscious?

Mary Wallace
23/4/2021 04:25:19 pm

Jim, I don't know what to say. Normal people don't shoot others. The new normal has to be a better world, not this hell we're creating.

Jim link
23/4/2021 04:39:09 pm

So sad but true, Mary. Thanks so much for your comments.
Take care
Jim

Jim link
23/4/2021 04:40:28 pm

Thanks so much, Doug.
The couple's name was a tribute.

Appreciate your comments.
Take care
Jim

Doug
23/4/2021 05:23:13 pm

Nicely done Jim. Were the names of your couple done intentionally or subconsciously?

michael McCarthy
23/4/2021 05:33:58 pm

this really packs a punch. i really had no idea where this was going, always a good sign! topical up to the minute. sadly that's one vaccine that can't be developed. great dialogue ,Jim

Jim link
23/4/2021 06:28:26 pm

Thanks ever so much, Michael. It is indeed sad that a cure or vaccine or something does not exist for this horrible illness
Take care
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
23/4/2021 05:39:00 pm

A well written story, Jim. But then I have learned to expect nothing less from you.

Jim link
23/4/2021 06:29:13 pm

You are too kind, Marjan. Thanks much for the read and wonderful comments
Take care
Jim

Daniel Hybner
23/4/2021 06:57:42 pm

As a teacher, the last part really got to me. Your story is a grim reminder of the times. Thanks for handling it so deftly. Great work.

Jim link
23/4/2021 07:29:17 pm

Thanks, Daniel. And thanks for being a teacher. Sounds like you have a compassion for your work and students.
Appreciate the kind words.
Jim

Peggy Gerber
23/4/2021 08:40:33 pm

A very well written reminder of what our world has become. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to turn on the news and hear only good news stories. We could all use a little bit of that right now.

Jim link
23/4/2021 11:12:00 pm

Thanks, Peggy. Yeah it would be so very nice to turn on the news and have something that brings a smile rather than a chill down your back. Thanks much for you kind comments
Take care
Jim

Sarah Blum link
23/4/2021 10:29:42 pm

Awesome Jim and so appropriate for the NOW. Maybe you can conjure a short piece about the hopeful changes we want and desire e.g. legislation to end gun violence, climate change, and a global picture of life without Covid.

Jim link
23/4/2021 11:13:33 pm

A short piece on the hopeful changes, eh, Sarah? Now you are talking fiction. ;-)
That does sound nice.
And speaking of nice, thanks for your nice comments.

Take care
Jim

Sue Clayton
24/4/2021 05:06:19 am

You've stirred up a well of empathy amongst the FFF readers, Jim. If only someone could write a magic spell for worldwide normalcy that includes all the attributes from the comments, "what a wonderful world" it would indeed be, in the words of Kathy and Satchmo.

Jim link
24/4/2021 03:39:18 pm

I think you've nailed it in several ways, Sue. First, isn't it wonderful that what Gordon has created here, and we've all fostered, we think of as the FFF community? Kathy and Satchmo really said it best, but, sadly, at least for this moment, it would take one of Merlin's greatest spells to transform the hate and greed and bias over to the heartfelt attributes the readers have called out here. Thanks a million for the read and comments
Take care
Jim

Swapan k Banerjee
24/4/2021 11:20:16 am

Jim, you're so incredibly gifted. Each little paragraph carries one or two gasp-moments that pull the reader right in. If you've a book to your credit or in the pipeline, I'll add it to my cart at the first opportunity. With very best wishes,
Swapan

Jim link
24/4/2021 03:41:45 pm

Swapan you make me blush with your comments, I am very grateful for your kind words. Seeing such comments is what makes it all worth the while as a writer. If I ever get around someday to writing a book, I'll let you know - one sold!! ;-)
You, as a gifted writer yourself, have made my day..
Take care
Jim

Mike B
25/4/2021 07:04:19 am

Well written story as always Jim!! A reminder that hearts need to change.
I appreciate the names you chose...
As I thought about the need for changed hearts it reminded of a song I like.
Here’s part of the lyrics:

I believe in evolution,
Changing of the heart, renewing of the mind.
It's the only true solution, God is always working,
Changing lives.
I believe in evolution,
Changing of the heart, renewing of the mind
It's the only true solution,
It's evolution redefined...

I know that everyone doesn’t agree with me,
but in the last 50 years I’ve seen my share of changed hearts...

Jim link
25/4/2021 04:18:44 pm

Thanks, Mike, for the kind comments. Yes - hearts definitely need to change, and a number of other things need to change until we get there. It's good to see your heart is filled with optimism.
Glad you enjoyed the names..
Take care
Jim

Mike U
25/4/2021 05:21:37 pm

Good job Jim, we all need to pay attention to this!

Jim link
25/4/2021 06:20:12 pm

Thanks much, Mike. Yes, we do. But I think it has had our attention for a number of years, we've just been too divided to do much about it.
Take care
Jim


Comments are closed.

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