The Beast of Brookside Drive
The sun was the single entity hanging in a cloudless blue sky. It was warm with a hint of a gentle breeze blowing. No doubt many men called in sick to get in a round of golf due to this gift from Mother Nature. But, there was one man who was sure to be working on this delightful day. Norman Mueller.
Norman cruised up in his white truck, emblazoned with the red & blue federal seal on the side & parked it at the top of Brookside Drive. He hopped out and sorted through his deliveries as he began his route. Just as he always did for the last eleven years. Stopping first at 15 Brookside Drive and skillfully dropping the mail with precision in a fluid trot. He next crossed over to 17 Brookside Drive. Mrs. Jenkins' old home & walked right past her curbside mailbox.
Norman always takes her mail up to the front porch so she won't have to make a long trek to the sidewalk with her bad hip to retrieve her mail. As he left her porch, Norman caught a glimpse of Mrs. Jenkins blowing a kiss at him through her living room window. He grabbed her kiss out of the air & pulled it to his heart. She smiled. Norman then started to make his way to 19 Brookside Drive.
He stopped when he heard the low menacing growl. Norman couldn't see where it was coming from, but he knew just what it was. As he stood with his feet cemented to the ground like a statue, Norman's eyes scanned the front yard. He knew any sudden movement might not be a wise decision. And there, slowly lumbering into view was Duke.
Duke stood watching Norman with deep resolute eyes. He was a hulking beast clad in ashen color fur with a massive chest & paws to match. Norman always thought if the gates of Hell ever needed to recruit a guard, he'd be sure to drop Duke's name in for consideration.
It was a stand off with each rival staring the other down waiting for the first move. Like two gunslingers in an old west movie at sundown. Norman knew it was timeā¦game on.
Norman sprinted up the front steps of the overhang to the mailbox near the front door. On cue, the beast galloped in pursuit of Norman as he heard the heavy sounds of thunder from the paws chasing him from behind. Norman held one hand on his hat & the other on his slung satchel over his shoulder as he ran from his deadly pursuer. He lead the snarling monster down the north end of the porch and was fast approaching the waist high end to it. Norman slowed down the picture in his head of what his eyes were relaying back to him so he knew what to do & concentrated. He leapt , kicking out his right leg straight & curling his left back behind him, hurdling the end of the porch wall.
He made a perfect landing, on both feet, four feet below on the thick grass. Norman looked back & saw Duke standing on his hind legs gazing out over the wall unable to copy his athletic vault. Norman smiled at Duke & tipped his cap to him with a smile. The beast let out a prehistoric roar in defeat. "See you tomorrow buddy", said Norman as he walked to his next house.
