Part 11
Barely late for this week we have yet another installment of the infamous Wilber. I love writing Wilber...
Luther turned from watching Cora rifle his desk obviously engrossed in her exploration muttering steadily under her breath. Wilber stood over by the death trap patting it fondly, most people had some issues with reality but Wilber was a special case. He had a fondness for historical torture devices the would ordinarily be reserved for a puppy. With fervor and iron clad exactness he recreated some of the worst things mankind had ever thought to build and called them things like Mabel. His reproduction Iron Maiden lived in a corner of his rooms with a doily on top of it and small plaque informing the world her name was Cecilia. In many ways Wilber was a stand up chap but common sense and and a meet the neighbors personality were not amount his virtues. He looked up when I prodded him and gave me a dreamy smile "The spring mechanism wasn't damaged, just let me reseat the swing arm and we can try it again." He trailed off as he started poking at the mounts again.
"Wilber, I want you to listen carefully. Are you listening Wilber?" I slowly turned him to face me bending down to look directly into his eyes. He nodded silently, his eyes widening as the fog lifted in his brain."This is a very pleasant young lady whom I am very interested in getting to know better. She is fascinated by the work I do and very intelligent." Wilber continued to nod slowly as though spring powered. "I am a peaceful man of great restraint so it pains me to have to inform you that if you and your toys make an unfavorable impression I will regretfully have to see how many of them can be used on one victim before his painful and lingering demise claims what is left of his mortal shell. Have I made an impression?" I held him in place till the nodding had gathered speed and he was starting to look normal, for Wilber, again. I stood back up watching him and within seconds his face misted over and he was petting his lethal wind up toy absently murmuring to it about tension and stress tolerances. I could only hope that some of what I had said was still in there somewhere. I thought about shrugging just for the pure expressiveness but it never worked right, not having a spinal column meant the shrug came all the way from the floor in more of an undulation. Somehow it lacked emphasis and I was feeling more intently annoyed than a gentle expression would serve. Cora made an Ohh sound and I went to see what had excited her and whether it could be a way to salvage this afternoon.
She had one of the belly drawers open and was examining the rows of pliers and clamps. There was a range of sizes from hair fine wire pliers to one clamp that had paddle shaped grips larger than her palm. Her obvious delight made me smile to watch it. The amount of joy she derived from a drawer full of tools was lovely, watching her be unreservedly happy over such a simple thing did wonders for my mood. I was willing to forgive Wilber an accidental beheading if it meant watching her face like this. She was such a personality that her joys and triumphs couldn't help but be contagious and I was more than willing to be infected. I had to admit at least to myself that I wanted this woman. I wanted to keep her in fine style, but mostly I just wanted her to be mine, willingly, joyfully, mine. So many faces looked away from me, so many people feared me still for no better reason than I was too different for them. I was content to be myself but I still wanted someone else to be content with me too. She was so smart, and so very beautiful, I couldn't believe she was giving me the time of day. I watched her dismantle my desk exclaiming over this and that for almost an hour before I reluctantly interrupted her riffling. "We have been gone for quite some time, your parents will be wondering if I've made off with you." I wanted to keep watching her but dared not risk the ire of her parents, they were much to important to the success of this courting.
"No they won't, and I wouldn't have minded anyway." She was still bent over the drawers rustling around only partially aware of what I had said.
I had an electric thrill hearing her words, I knew better than to think it was me rather than her downright lust for my work space talking but still, second hand lust was a starting point. I was prepared to be humble in the pursuit. "Cora it's been over an hour." I tried not to laugh at her expression of puzzlement.
She stood scanning the room as she straightened as if looking for a thief to accuse of stealing her attention. She huffed out a disgusted breath and shook her skirts into place shutting the drawers as she went.
"I suppose we should be going then. I can't explain how my manners deserted me so, please forgive me for neglecting you so shamefully." Her chin came up pugnaciously, daring me to refuse her apology.
I wanted badly to kiss that chin to see if I could fluster her again, she was adorable when disgruntled. I forbore my impulse least I find myself impaled on some spiky device of religious conversion from the dark ages of which, thanks to Wilber, there was an ample supply. "You are forgiven, shall we go?" I extended a limb which she clasped absently and we were standing outside in the open air before either of us noticed she was in effect holding my hand. We both looked down and laughed at the same time I stood still waiting to see what she would do. I willed her to stay as we were, even though it would be improper, just to feel someone else's hand on my skin. That one small touch was filling me up like breeze in the sails of a ship. I tightened my grip involuntarily staring down at our point of contact afraid to look at her face, to show her how much I was moved by such a small thing. She seemed to understand what I needed, gave my limb a squeeze and set off for the park tugging me along behind her. I was walking in the open with a beautiful woman publicly declaring her interest. Well. Today was for firsts.
I dropped her off at her door refusing an offer to come in but securing a second invitation for the day after next. I felt quite triumphant as I walked back to my dusty museum to put my desk back in order and start the next assignment waiting for me.
Luther turned from watching Cora rifle his desk obviously engrossed in her exploration muttering steadily under her breath. Wilber stood over by the death trap patting it fondly, most people had some issues with reality but Wilber was a special case. He had a fondness for historical torture devices the would ordinarily be reserved for a puppy. With fervor and iron clad exactness he recreated some of the worst things mankind had ever thought to build and called them things like Mabel. His reproduction Iron Maiden lived in a corner of his rooms with a doily on top of it and small plaque informing the world her name was Cecilia. In many ways Wilber was a stand up chap but common sense and and a meet the neighbors personality were not amount his virtues. He looked up when I prodded him and gave me a dreamy smile "The spring mechanism wasn't damaged, just let me reseat the swing arm and we can try it again." He trailed off as he started poking at the mounts again.
"Wilber, I want you to listen carefully. Are you listening Wilber?" I slowly turned him to face me bending down to look directly into his eyes. He nodded silently, his eyes widening as the fog lifted in his brain."This is a very pleasant young lady whom I am very interested in getting to know better. She is fascinated by the work I do and very intelligent." Wilber continued to nod slowly as though spring powered. "I am a peaceful man of great restraint so it pains me to have to inform you that if you and your toys make an unfavorable impression I will regretfully have to see how many of them can be used on one victim before his painful and lingering demise claims what is left of his mortal shell. Have I made an impression?" I held him in place till the nodding had gathered speed and he was starting to look normal, for Wilber, again. I stood back up watching him and within seconds his face misted over and he was petting his lethal wind up toy absently murmuring to it about tension and stress tolerances. I could only hope that some of what I had said was still in there somewhere. I thought about shrugging just for the pure expressiveness but it never worked right, not having a spinal column meant the shrug came all the way from the floor in more of an undulation. Somehow it lacked emphasis and I was feeling more intently annoyed than a gentle expression would serve. Cora made an Ohh sound and I went to see what had excited her and whether it could be a way to salvage this afternoon.
She had one of the belly drawers open and was examining the rows of pliers and clamps. There was a range of sizes from hair fine wire pliers to one clamp that had paddle shaped grips larger than her palm. Her obvious delight made me smile to watch it. The amount of joy she derived from a drawer full of tools was lovely, watching her be unreservedly happy over such a simple thing did wonders for my mood. I was willing to forgive Wilber an accidental beheading if it meant watching her face like this. She was such a personality that her joys and triumphs couldn't help but be contagious and I was more than willing to be infected. I had to admit at least to myself that I wanted this woman. I wanted to keep her in fine style, but mostly I just wanted her to be mine, willingly, joyfully, mine. So many faces looked away from me, so many people feared me still for no better reason than I was too different for them. I was content to be myself but I still wanted someone else to be content with me too. She was so smart, and so very beautiful, I couldn't believe she was giving me the time of day. I watched her dismantle my desk exclaiming over this and that for almost an hour before I reluctantly interrupted her riffling. "We have been gone for quite some time, your parents will be wondering if I've made off with you." I wanted to keep watching her but dared not risk the ire of her parents, they were much to important to the success of this courting.
"No they won't, and I wouldn't have minded anyway." She was still bent over the drawers rustling around only partially aware of what I had said.
I had an electric thrill hearing her words, I knew better than to think it was me rather than her downright lust for my work space talking but still, second hand lust was a starting point. I was prepared to be humble in the pursuit. "Cora it's been over an hour." I tried not to laugh at her expression of puzzlement.
She stood scanning the room as she straightened as if looking for a thief to accuse of stealing her attention. She huffed out a disgusted breath and shook her skirts into place shutting the drawers as she went.
"I suppose we should be going then. I can't explain how my manners deserted me so, please forgive me for neglecting you so shamefully." Her chin came up pugnaciously, daring me to refuse her apology.
I wanted badly to kiss that chin to see if I could fluster her again, she was adorable when disgruntled. I forbore my impulse least I find myself impaled on some spiky device of religious conversion from the dark ages of which, thanks to Wilber, there was an ample supply. "You are forgiven, shall we go?" I extended a limb which she clasped absently and we were standing outside in the open air before either of us noticed she was in effect holding my hand. We both looked down and laughed at the same time I stood still waiting to see what she would do. I willed her to stay as we were, even though it would be improper, just to feel someone else's hand on my skin. That one small touch was filling me up like breeze in the sails of a ship. I tightened my grip involuntarily staring down at our point of contact afraid to look at her face, to show her how much I was moved by such a small thing. She seemed to understand what I needed, gave my limb a squeeze and set off for the park tugging me along behind her. I was walking in the open with a beautiful woman publicly declaring her interest. Well. Today was for firsts.
I dropped her off at her door refusing an offer to come in but securing a second invitation for the day after next. I felt quite triumphant as I walked back to my dusty museum to put my desk back in order and start the next assignment waiting for me.