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Mon'ter, by Jim Bartlett

12/6/2020

 
When the bed rattles yet again, Tommy, trembling, springs up from his pillow and tosses the covers. “Mon’ter. Is that you, Mon’ter?”

But all he hears in reply is a muffled, shaky moan echoing from below the bed. He lets his gaze drift to the nightlight – which is still on – over near the chest of drawers, hoping for comfort, reassurance, safety. But the hair on the back of his neck will not be convinced and it rises, sending a chill down Tommy’s back.

Grabbing his Spiderman flashlight, he leans over the side and pulls back the bed’s apron. He pokes the light underneath, and then, taking a deep breath, slowly slides his head down, down, down, until he can finally see the light’s bright beam. It smacks up against the monster who’s tucked into Tommy’s favorite blankie, the brown and green one with all the dinosaurs that Nana got him. The monster has his eyes closed so tight, they look like they’ve been sealed shut with a big glob of that white Elmer’s glue Tommy uses when making cardboard garages for his cars. Even though the monster’s pulled the blankie up such that it sits just under the tip of his long crooked nose, and his sharp clawed fingers, normally green, grasp onto the blankie’s edge so tightly they’ve gone white, he’s shivering as if the North wind cuts an icy path through Tommy’s room.

Tommy stares for a moment, not quite sure what to think. Finally, letting his curiosity get the best of him, he slides – ever so slowly – down more and more until his upside down head rests on the carpeted floor.

“Mon’ter?”

But the monster only pulls the blankie tighter, ducking his head and sucking in his shoulders, trying his best to hide from Tommy’s voice.

“What’sa matter Mon’ter? Aren’t you ‘posed to be scary?”

The monster’s eye on Tommy’s side pops open, its red luminous glow almost matching the brightness of the Spiderman flashlight. “Scary?” he asks, his quivering voice more a growl than words. “Have you seen the news, Tommy? Your people are waaaaaay scarier than I could ever be!”

A tear wells up in Tommy’s eye, and, dropping the light, he stretches out his dangling arms. “Oh, no, poor Mon’ter. Come here. I hold you. I hold you all night.”
Sue Clayton
12/6/2020 08:08:30 am

Loved the child voice. And great to see a monster being loved for a change.

Jim link
12/6/2020 03:38:55 pm

Thanks, Sue!! Yeah, even a monster needs a hug once in a while.

Thanks much!
Jim

Mary Wallace
12/6/2020 11:02:48 am

He's right you know. We're much scarier than any monster and we could all do with a good cuddle. Good story Jim, well done.

Jim link
12/6/2020 03:40:37 pm

Sadly, you are so right. This popped into my head while I was running the other day, as I realized I've been trying to avoid the news. Just nothing good right now. Poor Monster... ;-)

Thanks much!
Jim

Marjan Sierhuis
12/6/2020 12:40:41 pm

Tommy is very perceptive for his age. The monster needs a good hug. Nicely done, Jim.

Jim link
12/6/2020 03:42:18 pm

Yes he does. We all do now and again. I guess right now it has to be from 6 feet out, though. ;-) One day this will be all behind us.

Thanks so much Marjan!
Jim

michael McCarthy
12/6/2020 05:55:13 pm

as Mary Wallace said we`re far more scary than any monster, and we don´t get tired showing it. this is very clever and thought provoking, we´re going to need a lot of people like Tommy.
Great stuff, Jim

Jim link
12/6/2020 06:18:30 pm

You're absolutely, and horrifically right, Mike. We don't get tired of showing it, do we? Sigh.
Thanks much for the comments and insights. And of course the read.
Take care
Jim

Mike B
12/6/2020 08:18:35 pm

We will be lead by a little child... many times that’s exactly the perspective I need...
Great story Jim!!

Jim link
12/6/2020 08:25:20 pm

Thanks, Mike.
Sometimes when I see the way we act, I wonder who the real "adults" are...
Take care
Jim

Mike U
12/6/2020 08:37:09 pm

Good job Jim

Jim link
12/6/2020 09:28:25 pm

Thanks, Mike!

Doug
12/6/2020 11:29:51 pm

A very pleasant and enjoyable read. Thanks for the reminder.

Jim link
12/6/2020 11:37:28 pm

Thanks Doug!

David link
13/6/2020 10:53:24 am

Great story, Jim. I'm enjoying going through your back catalogue too.

Jim link
13/6/2020 03:00:39 pm

Thanks so much, David! Appreciate you taking a moment to comment, and more so, that you're enjoying some of my other stories!
Take care
Jim

Phyllis Souza
18/6/2020 10:34:14 pm

Jim, Very well done. Enjoyed!

Jim link
19/6/2020 05:54:40 am

Thanks ever so much, Phyllis!!!
Take care
Jim

Sarah Blum
21/6/2020 06:29:17 pm

Wonderful Jim as always you captured the child voice and responses perfectly and it shows how childlike and human these monsters can be and the compassion in children.

Jim link
21/6/2020 07:07:47 pm

Thanks ever so much, Sarah. If only we humans could be so childlike as the monster. Then again, maybe we all just need a hug...
Thanks
Jim


Comments are closed.

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