A Date and A Phone Call (Socks DXIV, DXV, DXVI, DXVII, DXVIII, DXIX, DXX, & DXXI)

While Rar had enjoyed Red’s life story Lar had discovered a strange garment.
“I’ve never seen anything like you before. What are you?”
“I‘m a bib overalls, Mack?”
“Lar.”
“I’m not a liar.”
“I didn’t call you a liar.”
“OK. Let’s drop it.”
“Ok. What’s your job?”
“I‘m like pants that don‘t fall down, Mack.”
“Lar.”
“There you go again.”
“There I go what again?”
“You called me a liar. Again.”
“Why do you keep saying that?”
“Why do you keep calling me a liar?”
“I don’t…”
“Let’s drop it again. Ok?”
“Sure.”
Silence.
Red and Rar had stopped talking and were listening to the other conversation. They saw the misinterpretation that was taking place, but would not intervene. That would ruin the fun.
More silence.
“Won’t suspenders do the same thing?”
“I’m like pants with suspenders that don’t get lost.”
“What about a belt?”
The bibs went on to explain why bib overalls were superior to pants and a belt.
Finally, “How’s that for a story, Mack?”
“Lar.”
“No, it was all true.”
“I don’t doubt you.”
“Then why do you call me a liar, Mack?”
“Why do you call me Mack? I’m not a Mack, I’m a Lar.”
“So, you admit that you are the liar. All this time you been calling me a liar.”
This went on for some time.
Red whispered to Rar, “Who’s on first.”
Rar whispered back, “What?”
“It’s something that Kyle listens to once in a while, it makes him laugh real hard. I heard it a few times before I got the joke. You’ll get to hear it soon, I’m sure.”
They turned their attention to Lar and Big Smith.
Lar and Big Smith finally got it straight, but Big still wasn’t sure if Lar was teasing him or not. He wasn’t even sure if Lar was this characters name for real. Why didn’t he just call himself Fraud, Phony, or Fabricator.
When Kyle got home all garments went into their respective drawer or closet as he walked around talking again, “Hang this up. These in the top drawer. This in here. Leave this out, I’ll wear it to work.”
The drawer that the boys were in was partially open, so they could hear Kyle knocking around.
The phone rang, “Hello.”
*
“Where were you? I waited outside the math building.”
*
“Sorry, I hope you feel better.”
*
“I feel great.”
*
“No, I won’t be able to cover your shift. I’m scheduled at my other job.”
*
“Just Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning this week. I asked Mr. Fillmore to go easy on me, I have a couple tests this week.”
*
“Then I’ll see you Saturday, unless your still sick. Hey, maybe we can do something after work.”
*
“I dunno, get something to eat, see a movie, rent a movie and cook. Your choice.”
*
“Your house or mine, makes no difference.”
*
“Ok, we’ll decide then.”
*
“Bye, see you Saturday. Hope you feel better.”
Soon the boys heard the door shut, and the apartment was silent.
The phone rang. It rang seven times. A few minutes later it rang five times.
As the week progressed Kyle came and went from the apartment, talking to himself while he was there. The phone rang several times while Kyle was absent. One day just as the light was beginning to come in the windows the phone rang again.
“Hello.”
*
“How’d you get this number?”
*
“My mother?”
*
“We’ve been through this.”
*
“No, I don’t need to talk about it.”
*
“No, there is no chance that we will get back together.”
*
“The same two reasons I’ve had for the last year.”
*
“Yes, that’s one. I am going to wait, and I want to be with someone that wants to wait.”
*
“I don’t care what you did before you met me. I made this decision our senior year, I dated… Well, you know, and we… Well, you know. But you slept with Jason while we were dating.”
*
“I believe that my mother would take your side, I never told her what you did.”
*
“Because it’s between you and me. And Jason, of course, he is my cousin.”
*
“I told you I didn’t want to talk about it, and here I am talking. I’ve got to go to work.”
“Bye. Don’t bother calling back.”
A small voice was heard until a click was heard.
Kyle walked around the apartment talking until he left for work, but he never mentioned the phone call. He only talked of what he was going to wear, packing his lunch, and what movie he could rent for Saturday.
The door could be heard to open, but before it closed, the phone rang.
“Hello.”
*
“Mom, I’m just heading out the door for school.”
*
“Can we talk later? I don’t want to be late.”
*
“I promise.”
*
“Love you too, bye.”

Red‘s Story (Socks DX, DXI, DXII, & DXIII)

So, they found a common background in that Red had been worn by a different person than Kyle. He covered the torso of a boy that spent much time out-of-doors playing sports. Red was versed in baseball, basketball, and driver’s ed, which wasn’t really a sport, but he informed the brothers about it anyhow.
“The kid only had a few hairs on his armpit when I first went to work, but soon he had lots of hair and I fit tight across his chest.”
The kid was wearing Red, playing basketball, and they came inside to find the kid’s mother in his room. She had a big box in the middle of the floor. The box already contained clothes, shoes, and coats.
He recounted the incident.
“What’s this, Mom?”
“None of this stuff fits you any more. It’s all in good shape. We’re donating all of it.”
“But I like that coat.”
“Try it on.”
The sleeves of the coat came past his wrists and buttoning was out of the question.
“I just wore this last winter.”
“Yes, I know. Take that coat off, and put it in the box. While you’re at it, put that shirt in too.”
“It’s all sweaty.”
“Tough. Your Dad’s taking this stuff today. Whoever gets it can wash it.”
The kid started to leave the room.
“Where are you going?”
“To change my shirt.”
“You can change in front of me. I’ve seen you naked lots of times.”
“Aw, Mom,” The kid’s face was as red as Red.
When the box arrived at the store Red was perched on the top. Kyle had picked Red up professing his admiration for the shirt, especially the logo, but not liking the smell. Mr. Fillmore was there.
“We can’t sell this, it smells too bad. Just throw it in the trash.”
“I’ll buy it.”
“Kyle, if you work hard enough to get the smell out of this shirt, than you have earned it. Take it, it’s yours.”
Kyle took Red home that evening, and hung him over the shower curtain rod. After a day or two Kyle soaked Red in the sink, sprinkling in some type of powder. Then Red went in the wash with all of the other clothes, coming out of the dryer smelling fresh as spring.
“And Kyle and I have been together ever since.”
Rar liked the story, “Good story, Red.”
“Thanks, Rar.”

Red (Socks DIX)

Kyle left the room again. Noises could be heard coming from the kitchen. Soon Kyle walked back in, looked around, “Where’s my book? I remember.” He dashed out. A door shut, then clicked.
Red and the boys had all day to talk. Red told them that Kyle walked around talking when no other people were around. Red had heard people ask Kyle who he was talki9ng to. Kyle would look around and say, “Where did that guy go? He was just here.”
Red had been acquired at the same place that Kyle worked.
“Actually, all the clothes came from there.”

Almost Dry (Socks DVIII)

After tumbling in the dryer until they were almost dry, all of the clothes went in the basket. Lar and Rar were near the top, with only a grey shirt between them and Red.
Kyle carried the basket home, setting it on the bed. He moved around the apartment talking as if he were reminding himself what he had to do.
Grabbing a book from the dresser, “Ok, class starts in forty five minutes.”
Kyle left the room, and retuned without the book. He started to pick up the basket, “I’ll get these later. I need to eat before class.”

Red Handed (Socks DVII)

When Kyle pulled Red out, Lar was in the neck hole, with Rar hanging out of the right sleeve. He put them on a table that way.
“Look at that,” Kyle said to himself, for the Laundromat was empty.
“I’ve seen clothes turn wrong side out, or get lost, but this is a new one.”
Red was happy, “This worked out better than I thought it would.”
“Glad we could help.”
Red had another idea, “Maybe we can do something like this every time we’re in the wash together.”
They would have shook on the deal, had they had hands.

Trapped (Socks DVI)

During the rinse cycle, Rar came near Red, and grabbed his sleeve. He shoved it inside, just like Lar had asked. Lar had slipped through the neck hole, and pulled the sleeve inside.
They pulled and pushed for all they were worth, but couldn’t get red turned inside out.
“That’s good enough, boys. Kyle will still be surprised,” Red announced.
“Next time we’ll get you turned all the way inside out.”
The spin cycle started. The water left the washer, trapping the boys where they were.
The spinning stopped, the lid opened, and Kyle removed items one at a time.

Slosh Slosh (Socks DV)

They talked as they agitated past each other.
Slosh, slosh.
“Well, what did he say?”
Slosh, slosh.
“The red shirt said…”
Slosh, slosh.
“That they always wash up…”
Slosh, slosh.
“With what ever color…”
Slosh, slosh.
“Is in the basket.”
Slosh, slosh.
“Red has an idea.”
Slosh, slosh.
“What is it?”
Slosh, slosh.
“He wants to turn…”
Slosh, slosh.
“Inside out.”
Slosh, slosh.
“Why?”
Slosh, slosh.
“To play a joke…”
Slosh, slosh.
“On Kyle, but…”
Slosh, slosh.
“He needs help.”
Slosh, slosh.
“I’m in.”
Slosh, slosh.
“Ok, grab his sleeve…”
Slosh, slosh.
“And shove it inside.”
The plan was set.

Familiar Territory (Socks DIV)

“I think I recognize this, brother.”
“Me too.”
“We’re going to the washer.”
They were right. Kyle carried the basket into the kitchen, and had breakfast while the dirty clothes waited in the basket.
The snow had stopped falling by the time they went outside. The walk to the Laundromat wasn’t as long as the previous nights walk.
The boys talked as the washer filled.
“We’ve never been in the wash with so many different colored clothes before.”
The washer , moving them apart.
Slosh, slosh.
“That’s what’s different.”
Slosh, slosh.
“I just talked to the red shirt…”
Slosh, slosh.

Almost Right (Socks DIII)

The shoes were propped against the wall, toes down. Kyle had draped the boys over the shoes. The conversation carried, even though Lar was on the right shoe, Rar on the left.
“Looks like you guessed right.”
“I’m glad you were here to see it, I have so little talking company.”
The heat kicked on.
“This will dry us out.”
“We’re not very wet.”
The shoe added, “I’m not totally right, he didn’t put powder on us.”
“Close enough.”
In the morning Kyle put the brothers in a basket, atop of the tee shirt Kyle had worn the night before.

Home Safe (Socks DII)

Kyle took his phone out of his pocket, “I’m home, safe and sound.”
*
“Yea, I got snowed on a little.”
*
“I think I’ll do a little reading. I have a history test on Thursday.”
*
“Ok, bye.”
*
“Oh, wait,” Kyle recounted wearing the ring, how it made him nervous just to wear it. He took the ring out, putting it on the counter.
*
“No, I’ll never wear it again, it’s right here next to the sink.”
After hanging up, Kyle set on a kitchen chair, and took off all his footwear. He put one shoe on each side of the register.

Solitaire (Socks DI)

The shoe told Rar that she had to play games by herself, “My brother doesn’t talk.”
Kyle eventually walked up a flight of steps, strange steps. The unpainted stairs went up the outside of a building. Garbage cans were visible under the stairs through the open risers. Most of the treads creaked, one near the bottom was especially loose. The only place that was covered was the landing at the top, where Kyle stopped to unlock the door.
Kyle shook the snow from his coat before entering.
Once inside, Kyle locked the door, and hung the coat on a hook.

Guessing (Socks D)

Lar and Rar had never been out in the snow. Lar tried to ask his shoe about the snow, but he didn’t talk. Rar attempted a conversation with his shoe. She informed him that they had walked in the snow only a few times.
“I don’t mind the light snow, but I don’t like getting too wet. When we get home Kyle will put powder in us, and set us next to the heater.”
“Does he do that every time?”
“No, and I’m just guessing what he will do. I like to try to guess. It‘s a game I play.”

Light Snow (Socks CDXCIX)

“Mother…”
Kyle stopped waking. He took the ring off his finger.
“Wow, it’s only a light snow. You’ve walked in snow worse than this.”
“Who you talking to, son?”
Kyle turned. A gray haired man walked quickly toward him. The man wore a band on his head, covering his ears, and tight fitting clothes. The man’s arms were bent, his hands near his chest, pumping.
“Just myself, sir.”
The man laughed as he whizzed by, “Better watch doing that, it’s a habit that’s hard to break. I speak from experience.”
Kyle put the ring in the pocket opposite the change.

Exercise (Socks CDXCVIII)

Kyle said his good-byes. Sophie stepped outside on porch with Kyle.
“Where’s your car?”
“I walked.”
“Let me give you a ride home.”
“No thanks, I need to exercise away that pie and ice cream.”
“It’s kind of chilly.”
“I’ll be ok. It’s only about a mile. I walk as much as I can.”
More good-byes.
As Kyle walked, he softly sung to himself, jingling the ring together with the change in his pocket. He slipped the ring on his pinkie.
Now the change in his pocket rattled faster and faster, and the singing had stopped.
Snow stared to fall.

Ring Again (Socks CDXCVII)

The TV turned off. No one spoke for a minute. Nobody moved.
Kyle and Sophie went into her room, leaving the door open.
“What should I do with the ring?”
Kyle already knew the story, but had no advice.
“I wouldn’t feel right giving it back to Mr. Fillmore.”
“I don’t think he would be offended.”
“I just don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“Give me the ring, I’ll explain the whole thing to him.”
“He’ll think we’re nuts.”
“Then have him wear it for a while.”
The plan was set. Kyle put the ring and emerald in his pocket.

Game End (Socks CDXCVI)

Maiden continued, “Sometimes Dan gets a sweet tooth, and eats a lot of candy. He especially likes the chocolates.”
Maiden had to explain to Rar that Dan’s tooth was really normal, it was just an expression.
“Who made up that expression?”
“Sophie says it, but I don’t know who made it up.”
The game was winding down, and Kyle put his feet on the floor.
Sophie sat between Kyle and Dan, slightly closer to Kyle, “They should pull the goalie pretty soon.”
No one spoke, but everyone leaned forward in their seat.
Then, “Crap, anyone but the Ducks.”
“I agree.”

Off Subject (Socks CDXCV)

“That emerald doesn’t deserve a name.”
“What about the ring?”
A pause.
“I’m not sure. In fact I’m not sure I care. I just wish they’d shut up.”
“I’m with you there Lar. We’re getting off the subject.”
“What is the subject?”
“Maiden, and his crappy job.”
“Ah, that was the subject. His job really bothers you. Doesn’t it?”
“Sure does.”
“Maybe you need Dr. Phil.”
“Maybe you need to…”
“Hold it bro. I’m just messing with you.”
Kyle put his feet on the coffee table. The candy dish was nearly empty.
“Hi Maiden. You’ve been busy.”
“Life is good.”

Worked Up (Socks CDXCIV)

Kyle’s feet were on the floor during the power play, so the boys were free to talk.
“I feel bad for Maiden.”
“Why?”
“He has a girls name. Imagine that?”
“It’s just a name.”
“Well, I say…”
“Don’t get worked up brother, it’s just a name. Besides, he wasn’t even sure of his own name.”
“That’s another reason, he’s just not sure of his name.”
“Rar, you’re sweating the small stuff.”
“I know, but I can’t help it. It’s that ring. And that emerald.”
“Hold it. We don’t even know the emerald’s name. Why aren’t you worked up about that?”

03:53 (Socks CDXCIII)

“No, thanks. I’d just fall asleep.”
“Again?”
“Yea, again.”
Sophie got up, “Do you want ice cream with your apple pie?”
“Am I having pie?”
“I made it, so I think you are.”
“I think I am, too.”
“Good choice,” Dan added.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Ice cream?”
“Yes, please.”
“Another good choice.”
Sophie came back, giving each man a dessert. When she returned with her own plate, she sat next to Kyle on the couch.
“Does your mom watch hockey?”
“Not usually. She takes Sunday afternoons to read.”
The third period started.
The bad guys got two for goalie interference.

Three to One (Socks CDXCII)

The tale of the ring and the emerald, and their constant hostility was recounted. The brothers and Maiden were in agreement that Dr. Phil’s competence could be put to good use.
The second period ended, and Kyle got up from the couch, “Can I use your bathroom?”
He was told where to find the correct door.
As he moved down the hall toward the living room the brothers talked, “There’s a good sign.”
“Yea?”
“We didn’t get wet. This guy has good aim.”
The boys laughed.
Dan asked, “How old are you, Kyle?”
“Twenty-one. Why?”
“Would you like a beer?”