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| Blogs > wickedeasy > wicked and that ain't so easy |
a murder of crows
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a murder of crows The three women sat in beach chairs on the sidewalk as they did every day, watching. They had known each other for over 50 years, had traded recipes, ’ clothes, secrets, dreams, and if truth be told, husbands though of this they never spoke. Now, life was a waiting game, treading water between this time, that time, coming, going, a meal, a good shit. They were the watchers at the gate. The dogs at the window where there were no dogs. Socks in old slippers, housedresses, hair frizzed from a bad perm or long and greasy from too long without a shower, they sat, watching, a murder of crows, glaring down the people who passed by their way to or back. They saw it happen. They didn’t look up when he stopped in front of them, his shadow blocking the little bit of sun left in the day. “Ladies, I’ve got questions. I hear you three are the guardians of this street.” Bella gave out with a cackle. “Mind moving out of the sun Mister, it’s chilly today and my bones are aching’ fit to kill me. “ He took a settle on the stoop. “You being the keepers ‘n all, wondering could you tell me what you seen.” Jenny blew out a puff of smoke. “We SEE everything. Your mama ever tell you, best to ask what you want or you’ll get nothing at all?” He smiled, “she did at that. So did you see that man’cross the street, kill that girl?” “This street here?” “Yes ma’am” “Today you mean?” “Yes ma’am?” “Lord knows , you aren’t the best at this, are you?” He was wondering if he should quit. But instead, he shook out a handful of peppermints, offering them. “That’s better. Course we saw. We’re sitting right here.” Marcie said, sucking greedily, “You could smell it.” He waited her out, tipping his head to watch her as her eyes closed on the memory. “My grandpa used to shoot, I love that smell.” He blinked, staring at the three. “What he look like?” “The Man?” He nodded, patience dimming. “He looked like all y’all. “ Confused, he looked at his feet, then asked, “You mean white? “ “Noooo, I mean men. He looked mad, bunched up.” “Oh, okay. Well, was he white?” “No idea. “ And the three nodded. “He was wearing a hat.” “Like a fedora?” “What’s a fedora?” “It’s a church hat Bell for god’s sake. Read a book.” “I read.” “No you don’t. I read, you just fan yourself with People.” Marcie intervened, “Not a church hat. A stealing hat.” “Stealing hat?” “Oh for god’s sake, a rob a store kind of hat so no one can tell who you are. You sure you’re a cop?” He blushed. “Tall? “ “’Bout the same as you. But younger.” “Younger, how do you know that?” “Cuz he could surely run.” The three ladies laughed. It sounded ghastly. “What was he wearing?” “Dungarees and a black stealing hat.” “Now how do you know it was black, could’ve been navy Jenny, you know your eyes aren’t what they used to be.” “My eyes are just fine Marcie. You’re the one who’s color blind. Look what you’re wearing. who the hell wears lime green and orange? You could try some navy just to give my poor old eyes a rest.” “Ladies, ladies”…..he tried to interrupt but the conversation had taken a swing that seemed to have its own life. He sat back looking at the street, figuring the distance and wondering if any of what he had learned would be useful. He stood, getting ready to leave. Bella looked up at him quizzically. “That’s it?” “Well, unless you have something to add?” Marcie grumbled a little, pulling a hankie from the pocket of her housedress. Jennie, glared at him said, “You sure do take the fun out of it.” Befuddled he waited as Marcie unwrapped a hankie, handing something to Bella. Bella sat up a little. “Well you might want to take his license then, it fell out when Marcie tripped him as he ran by.” You cannot conceive the many without the one. |
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I love watching people watch people. it is one of my favorite things to do no pic because i'm sick of trying to get them to stick. You cannot conceive the many without the one.
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I know how you feel about stickin' pics! 
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6/12/2017 11:46 am |
Good story
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You are absolutely brilliant with your words. At first with your post I was drawn into Daphne du Maurier's Birds and then into the Three Witches of Eastwick while simultaneously realising I've missed the point! 
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because of not knowing if he was white? I thought about that and could have solve it with something about hands but figured why bother. they're old ladies. with bad eyesight. I heard this woman snap at another woman in a restaurant the other day "rad a book" it stuck in my head. sort of blossomed. and I just do it and then I cut out all the extra shite. You cannot conceive the many without the one.
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People watchers been people watched? Supervised by a pro? Are there badges given out at the end of the exam? You know how to take simple ol people watching to the top level!
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Marvellous McWickster, enthralling, a brill piece of writing.........
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Awesome post there wicked.. I love your stories they are very inspiring. I love to watch  hugssss VBecome a blog watcher sweet_vm
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When you write this well, you don't need any pictures. . The words paint the picture. Loved the story. . Loved all three of the watchers. . Loved their banter.... Just excellent! 
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Imma gonna be one of those ladies, sittin' next to you. And we'll laugh and laugh... kk The observant make the best lovers, I may not do right, but I do write, I have bliss, joy, and happiness in my life, Kitkat Come check out my blog KItkat1415 check out this post by me Adventures In Body Grooming #39 April Topic Link: What Lies Beneath If April Showers Oh Bloody Hell What Kind Of Weather Turns Me On Bloggers Symposium 40
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Having worked retail for 51 years after being in medicine for about 25 I love people watching and taking mental notes for future use. You seriously make me want to pull up HONK( one of my photos) and craft a tale about a gaggle of geese. Animal names were quite common "back in the old days" I'd love to sit with the three women and just listen to them cackle and chaw (Virtual Symposium Group) use Virtual Symposium Group
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People can be interesting and sometimes peculiar...  Vive La Difference
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