This writing was accepted for publication in the 96 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “Home at Last” Down in the Dirt (v123) (the May/June 2014 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the book the Beaten Path (a Down in the Dirt Jan. - June 2014 collection book)		get the 372 page Jan. - June 2014 Down in the Dirt magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Order this writing in the book Need to Know Basis (redacted edition) (the 2014 poetry, flash fiction & short prose collection book)		get this poem collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Open Door

Allan Onik

    When Alice reached the top of the Ferris wheel, she could see the carnival in the dark. A shirtless man blew some fire from a stick, and a clown sat on the ground crying. Striped tents littered the landscape and dust blew in the air from the dirt ground.
    “You know I’ll always love you, right Alice? We’re friends. That never ends.” Tab lit a cigarette and puffed. Its embers fell to the ground below them.
    “With pancreatic cancer it does.”
    “Maybe we could find a world famous specialist or something? A new treatment maybe? There has to be something you could do. How long did the docs say you had?”
    “Five months tops and the last two are agony.”
    “This little shit town wont be the same without you. I can remember when we were kids, playing in the back yard of your mom’s house. No older than 5 years back then. Video games. Sand box. Don’t forget tea time.”
    “Oh yeah. With imaginary tea.” The moon was almost full and cast a dim light on the carnival. The wheel hit its bottom.

    “And how pretty you are Alice!” Alice wore a long red dress with a red flower at its collar. Tab lit another cigarette. In the tent, a strong man lifted a bronze box. He was a giant and from the box, a dwarf emerged. A clown stood in the corner of the tent, happily juggling. “I can remember all the boys in our little white trash high school loved you. Thought you were the best in the school. You talked to everyone.”
    “That was ten years ago. Time flies.”
    “It sure does.”
    “For me it’s about to end. I didn’t think I’d be gone so soon. Next year you’ll have to go to the fair alone.”
    Tab hugged her. “It’s not like that. There has to be something we can do.”
    “Not for this the docs say. I’m pretty much dead already.” The curtain closed and the crowd clapped.

    The magician emerged from the boards in the floor of the stage. He held a golden hoop. He threw the hoop in the air and disappeared within it. When he reemerged at the entrance of the tent, he was holding a white python, smiling. A clown in a black gown blew balloons for children. Tab took a swig of some beer.
    “Are you enjoying the show? I know the doctors told you to have fun. And be with your friends.”
    “I suppose so,” Alice said, “But I have to tell you something. I’m not waiting until the end. I met Pieto.”
    “The dealer from New York City? Are you crazy?”
    “I knew that he makes his rounds in town every second Tuesday of the month. I want to go out pain free.” Alice lifted a needle and dime bag out of her purse. Tab cringed. “I’m gonna OD. I want you there when I do it.”

    Alice and Tab held hands as they walked. A woman lay covered with live rats in a glass coffin. A lizard man licked his forked tongue on a double-edged sword. Fire dancers caught sight of the two and did tricks around them.
    “Just friends,” Alice said.
    “Of course,” Tab said, “as always. That’s how I’ll remember you. My friend. The beautiful Alice.” Tab stopped walking. “Look there.” Tab pointed. A small boxcar ahead of them had a sign posted on it: Free Psychic Readings. The door to the car was open.

    “Alice. I knew you would come. I can see everyone that’s coming years before they come in. That’s how it works you know. For me at least. All of us are different. And some of us are fakes. Though I can assure you I’m not.
    The web of this cosmos is far too intricate for any nervous system to fully grasp. Even Einstein said: ‘Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.’” The oracle had white hair, and wore a blue tunic. She was thin, with dark eyes.
    Alice walked up to her and was hit by a soft blue glow emanating from the seers body. “So you know about the....”
    “Yes, darling. I know. I can feel now where you’ll be going soon. My state allows it. And I’m here to help. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Its just love. You’ll be going to a place that’s nothing but love. A gap is what I call it. In fact, everyone that comes through my door is headed to the gap soon. Some are not ready to accept it. When faced with the change, some deny what is happening to them until the end. But there’s nothing to be afraid of, child. It’s just love. You’ll be going to place that’s nothing but love. Just as I love everyone.”
    Alice backed away. A tear rolled down her cheek. “And my friends?”
    “With you. Always.”

    Alice took in the lights of the carnival from a hill above. Tab lay next to her sleeping. She could hear him snoring. Next to a lit tent below Alice could see a clown sleeping with a chick pecking on his top hat. She took the needle out of her purse and prepped.

    Alice poured some tea in her mother’s back yard. It was a sunny day, so bright she had to squint—but pleasantly warm. Tab took a sip.
    “Sweetheart, playtime’s over.” Her mother’s voice came from inside the house. The backdoor was open, and she ran to it. When she entered, the door closed behind her.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...