1:00 PM PST
Land of Colour Universe
"I don't know about you," Mallory was saying, "but I'm feeling so bored. The kids are all at the roller rink - and, unfortunately, only children who are under ten are allowed to skate there this afternoon. This is a lovely place, but it's not like any of my friends are here. Well, I mean, you guys are great people - but I really do not know my way around this town. It's my understanding that the children won't be back until dinner."
"Maybe we can take a walk through the countryside," suggested Marty. "I mean, it's so beautiful there - and this would be such a great opportunity for us all to bond."
"That's such a good idea, Marty," agreed Alex. Then, turning to Mallory and Linda, he added, "You girls really should check out the countryside. I'm sure it would be even more beautiful by daylight, than it was when we first arrived there at night. I mean, we might see some really beautiful flowers over there - and, perhaps, we may also spot some very pretty butterflies. So does this sound like a plan with you girls?"
"Hey, yeah," Linda said, smiling, "it sounds like a very goos idea! I still feel so bad about the fight I had with Marty the other day. He's really a great brother, and I'm ashamed to admit that I don't always appreciate him like I should. Taking a stroll through the countryside would be a great way to really uplift our spirits.'"
"Yeah, I suppose we can do that," Mallory agreed, perking up. "I have to say Alex is such a great brother, too - even if I don't always agree with his views. He has come through for me many times, and he really cares deeply about all of us."
"I realize I do rib you a lot, Mallory," Alex said, gently, "and I guess I tend to take things too far. The thing is, though, I care a lot about you - and I sometimes worry about your relationship with Nick. I do want you to be happy - and I try to tolerate Nick, for your sake. Sometimes it's really hard, though."
"I sometimes don't understand why you're such friends with Skippy," Mallory sighed, shrugging, "but I guess you just have a really big heart. I don't exactly hate him, as I don't exactly believe in hating anyone. It's just that ity bugs me that he follows me around a lot, and won't take no for an answer. I really don't want to be so mean."
"I try to explain to him that his pushiness drives you away," explained Alex. "The thing is, though, I feel so bad for him. I don't wish to hurt his feelings, because he can be sensitive. To put this frankly, though, I just can't imagine he ever would be able to keep a girlfriend for long. I think a little bit of professional help might help him out - but I wouldn't know how to suggest this, without hurting his feelings."
"Nobody wants to be told that they need to see a shrink," Marty said, gently. "Let's face it! There's this bad stigma placed on that. I almost felt like suggesting that to someone I know real well, but it would only put that person on the defensive."
"I think I know who you're talking about," Alex said, with a knowing smile. "I agree it would've been very counterproductive, and it would have complicated your mission a lot. Anyway, in regards to Skippy, all I can really do is continue to be his friend. I do not want to play councillor to him. I may be smart, but I make a lousy councillor."
"Oh, I don't think so, Alex," Marty said, softly. "Remember the pep talk you gave me yesterday morning? You really did help me to feel better. You're a great friend!"
"Thank you, Marty," Alex said, smiling. "However, there's a difference between being a great friend and being a great councillor. A great councillor sometimes has to be a bit frank with you - and not always tell you just what you want to hear. Sometimes I do end up being frank with Skippy - and then he gets his feelings hurt, then I feel so bad for him. Anyway, why don't we start heading out to the countryside? It is such a sunny day outside, and I don't want to be cooped up inside the house all day."
"Yeah, I want to head out, too," agreed Linda. "I would love to see the countryside that you guys are talking about. It's amazing how warm it is here. Yeah, let's go!"
oooooooooo
Marty was feeling very cheerful, as he followed the three visiters into the countryside - where they saw some pretty butterflies of different species. It felt a lot more like a very warm spring, then it did the beginning of winter. He was stunned by the sight of all the beautiful flowers blooming. Alex was correct about the countryside being more beautiful by daylight. The grass was very green, as well. Everything was wonderful!
"These are such pretty butterflies!" gushed Mallory. "I have to say, it's nice being away from the cold and frigid winters. I wouldn't mind moving our family here."
"I would miss having snow for Christmas," replied Alex. "Yeah, I understand that Christmas isn't all about snow - but I always felt it made the season so festive."
"I never was a big fan of snow myself," countered Linda. "In my opinion, I think snow is overrated. Anything below sixty degrees is cold for me, in my opinion."
"Oh, gee, you're such a wimp!" teased Alex. "If you lived where we lived, you would consider thirty degrees to be a mild winter day. Besides, there's a lot of fun things to do in the snow. I love going on the snowmobile and going dog-sledding. It's nice to sit in front of the fireplace while sipping on hot cocoa or apple cider. You really don't know what you're missing, Linda. You're only thinking about the temperature!"
"Well, Alex does have a point," Mallory admitted. "Still, I do agree that I'm really no fan of freezing cold weather. Putting on all those layers of clothing could be a pain."
"I usually wear three or four layers of clothing during the cooler months," said Marty. "I usually put on a tee-shirt for my first layer. Then I put on a button-up shirt over it. Then, over that, I put on a denim jacket. Then I have the puffy reddish-orange vest that I like to wear over that. Some people actually thought it was a life preserver!"
"So what are you studying in college, Alex and Mallory?" asked Linda. "I really would like to be a news anchor, someday. I'm now a reporter for our college newspaper."
"Oh, I take anything having to do with economics," Alex explained. "That always has been one of my biggest passions - and I really would like to work for Wall Street."
"I'm taking a major in pop culture," said Mallory. "I especially love music. What we're currently studying, though, is really boring. We are studying about the doxologies."
"'So what exactly is a doxology?" asked Linda. "The word sounds familiar to me."
"To put it simply," Mallory replied, "a doxology is a short hymn of praise to God."
"Gee," muttered Marty, "I don't think I would really want to study paradoxology... I mean..."
Alex and Mallory both burst out laughing. "A paradoxology?" Alex sputtered, as he was laughing so hard. "Where do you get paradoxology from, huh? You're funny!"
Marty almost went into shock, as he could see a familiar ripple moving towards him.