Chapter 22, Robert's Mirror, by J.M. Stevenson, www.jeannesbottle.com

I slid along a great line of what seemed to be an electrical current. The pathway was smooth, somewhat reminding me of a long utility cord. In an instant I reached the end of the arch and my spirit shot forth. At an incredible velocity I was propelled forward, reaching a mirrored ball positioned on a concrete pedestal at the center of a yard. There was a certain amount of discomfort as my presence was looped over several times and my being refrained from miniaturizing inside the sphere. In a feeble attempt to ignore the discomfort, I gazed about.

The street appeared quiet, a pleasant atmosphere for residents to call home. The dwelling that I overlooked was not impressive by any means, but the yard, the yard was meticulously landscaped. Every blade of lush grass was in registration with the next, flowers of many types were in full bloom extending in every direction. Fist sized roses stood in a proud salute to the morning rays of light.

The gardens appeared as if designed by someone of taste. There were a few gnome statues, but nothing too tall or too gaudy. Whoever took the time to landscape the yard had a natural flare for plants. The composition and symmetry reflected a living-breathing artist's canvas.

The neighbor's home to the south side of the yard sat vacant with a "home for sale" sign posted on the front lawn. Although the grass was in much need of a good mowing, there were indications that the former owners had kept up on the overall maintenance.

I couldn't help but notice how all of the homes were similar, it was as if they sprouted up from the seed type of inexpensive, as if one construction company mass produced the ranch homes from a single building plan. Although the cedar shingles were painted a variety of colors spanning from natural brown to the oddest shade of sunset peach, there was little variation on structural design. For some reason, everyone seemed content living in homes that were basically mirrored reflections of the next.

I assumed the day to be that of the weekend since humans were lacking at such an early hour. I didn't notice the man sitting on the cement patio in a lawn chair until he coughed in several quick hacks. A cigarette wafted upwards, mixing in with the steam from his morning coffee. He silently gazed at the morning paper, occasionally peering from the current happenings to the tranquillity of his impressive gardens.

In a sense I was jealous. Every lifetime had such moments, but it had been so long since I had been privy to such. Several minutes passed until a woman appeared. Her hair stood askew as she unfolded a chair that was leaning against the house. She was wrapped in a cotton robe and a pair of fuzzy slippers concealed her feet. Whispers trickled forth, but the actual conversation was just beyond my understanding. It reminded me of my childhood at Christmas time. I recalled living in the great mansion, inside the quarters of the housekeepers. The place was tiny and there was never much privacy within the small apartment.

Christmas presents were being discussed and I rested motionless in bed trying to control the noise from my breathing in order to listen. Mom and dad were smart, transforming their conversation to mere whispers. If only I could tune in, I could learn what gifts were planned for their only child. I had great dreams as a child...dreams of awakening to the extravagant gifts that the rich children of the mansion were lucky enough to receive. For them, toys were in abundance, imported from European countries that knew the fine skill of quality craftsmanship.

Oh it was difficult to comprehend, my presents were purchased with the use of hard earned pennies in contrast to the wealthy whose unlimited resources allowed them to spoil their children without a second thought.

What I considered sinfulness was the mere fact that within hours their toys laid in an unappreciated heap beneath the enormous Christmas tree. Oh what I would have given for a single toy of quality. Often times the presents I received was that of necessity. New trousers or new socks was typical and there was one particular Christmas that I received a textbook reader for school. Up until that point, I was sharing with another student and we would alternate days to bring it home for study.

A car sped past with music too loud for that hour of the morning. Both husband and wife gazed up from their peaceful surroundings as their focus locked on the car. I could sense they were put off by such a lack of consideration. Break lights reflected mid street as the car changed direction in a sudden reverse.

The patio man nearly spilled his coffee as the car swung into the neighbor's yard. Music continued to blast as the driver did not turn off the car, but rushed along intrigued by the vacant house. The man was in his early thirties and the way he sauntered reflected a certain amount of cockiness.

The prospective buyer gazed at the front of the house tilting his face from side to side. In a sudden sprint, he hurried to the front picture window cupping his fingers about, controlling the glare to peer inside. As he stepped back from the window, he shook his head as if indicating approval. His glance then swung to the surrounding homes. The stranger noticed the couple on the patio watching him and did not bother with any friendly gestures such as wave or a nod as he rushed back to the car.

Just a quickly as he appeared, he drove off. My attention returned to the couple who were staring in the direction of the neighboring house. Both faces reflected concern, as if the intruder had tainted their morning, as if his presence was a threat to their very future.

______________

I felt the vacuum before my image collapsed. From the center of the sphere I succumbed to the velocity of force. I recognized the tunnel back, the multicolored chamber leading me to the great playground. In an blink, I materialized before Granny and Celia Primrose. They were waiting on the other side. Granny appeared pleasant and Celia appeared distraught.

"Robert, oh Robert." Granny said with displeasure catching in her voice.

"I had just landed in an assignment." I said with annoyance. I know it was childish, but I was still filled with an overflow of animosity after learning of how I was deceived by the application of erasure.

"We've been monitoring you." Celia managed, gazing at her clipboard.

"So?" I spat.

"You really messed up with the last assignment!" Granny announced.

"Maybe so, but I fixed things didn't I? All is well that ends well."

"You let Lucas get to you!" Celia whispered in a failed attempt to keep her disapproval under wraps.

"Lucas wasn't the problem, was he Granny? It was you! How could you do that to me? I'm still furious about not recalling every precious detail about Elizabeth Fenmore. I have this sense that she needs me and without knowing everything from the past, I have no way of pinpointing her to snatch her away from Lucas and his clutches."

"Robert, she's gone onto other pastures, get over it!" Granny said in dismissal.

"It's obvious she's joined up with Lucas. Maybe that isn't such a bad deal after all, I hear he awards his team with excellent perks and vacations."

"Watch your mouth!" Celia warned.

"Or what?" I snapped.

"Or he'll gobble you up and spit out the nothingness that's left. That's not the way to go! An eternity in the dark realm is an awful long time." Granny warned.

"At least I'd be with Elizabeth." I said allowing my anger to override all common sense.

"You forget Robert, love is absent in that realm. All that you'd have is an empty union. Do you know what it's like to be attached to someone without heartfelt love?" Celia asked.

"Humans do it all the time." I spat recalling several of my past assignments.

"Yeah, well divorce is usually the end result."

I shook my head realizing that there was some merit to what was being said.

I then took several deep breaths to control my emotions.

"Is there a purpose for you bringing me here like this?" No longer intending to, but coming across as a jerk regardless.

"You've been officially removed as team leader for the kids. Melissa

Bland has now been assigned." Celia announced.

"Oh cry me a river." I said with sarcasm, but inside I was overwrought.

"The truth is Robert, we feel you could turn away from us at any time."

"I'm not going anywhere." I announced rolling my eyes.

"Well good." Celia managed. "For now, you'll remain with the children, although your assignments won't necessarily be geared towards helping kids." Granny explained.

"Remember, we'll be watching you and should you come into contact with Lucas again, we're pulling you out of this line of work completely. There are other less dangerous uses for your talents."

"Oh yeah, such as what?"

"Wake up patrol for the highways." Celia whispered.

"Oh come on!" I said recalling how the team of wake up genies were known to burn out from the endless hours of making sure drivers everywhere remained focused to avoid collisions. Some genies became spent during long stretches of driving and the humans were then known to lose control at the wheel by falling asleep.

"It's not as glamorous of an assignment as what you're doing now, but it's equally important." Celia managed.

"I'll work on my attitude." I mumbled realizing my fate was in their hands. "I am sorry....it was learning about Lizzy the way I did... I don't know, I felt betrayed."

"It wasn't my choice Robert. I was just following orders. I didn't particularly enjoy handing you the wedge of forgetfulness, but you were not much use in the field otherwise."

"I understand and I'll try to keep my focus on the task at hand....okay? No more goof ups."

"Very well. We'll see you back here for the next meeting." Granny said as Celia made a few notes on her clipboard.

With that, my spirit transformed into tiny bits similar to a puzzle then dissolved in a common fade out. In a blink, I re-materialized within the orb at the center of the yard. "There's no place like home." I announced through a sigh.

Time had shifted once again. What seemed like a meeting of only a few minutes on the other side, turned into weeks or perhaps months ahead in the human world. The for sale sign was no longer displayed at the center of the neighboring yard and cars were parked in two disorderly lines. The front lawn at that home reminded me of unruly hair in dire need of a scissors and loud booming music held the neighborhood captive.

The hour was morning as the patio man of the great landscaped yard slowly emerged from the side of his house. He was carrying a watering bucket, a can painted to resemble a goose with a long narrow neck and an opening in the beak. He shuffled from plant to plant as his attention shifted towards the noise.

On several occasions he shook his head as if in disbelief.

When he had completed his watering, he moved to the center of his lawn and gazed at two narrow indentations from the weight of an automobile that had begun from the neighbors yard and swung completely through the center of his lawn to the street. Everything within his face tightened. It was obvious the new neighbors were inconsiderate clods.

In an instant, a young man that I had not seen before, appeared from the house next door. A cigarette was dangling from his mouth and he bounced as he walked. His eyes scanned over to patio man and he sneered as if enjoying the torture his family was imposing.

The air seemed thick with tension as the young man headed for the car parked furthest in the driveway. The door slammed as the young man disappeared within and tires squealed as he sped away. A moment later, bathrobe Annie appeared next to the patio man. He was still positioned a few feet from the mirrored ball.

"With everyday that they're here, it's getting worse." He complained to her.

"What are we to do? We can't move again."

"I've tried ignoring them, but look at these tire marks!" Patio man said shaking his head.

"Someone drove through our front yard? I can't believe anyone would be that dense."

"Well..." The man said pointing then nodding with frustration.

"Should we phone the police?" She wondered.

"....and make matters worse?"

She nodded as if agreeing with his thinking.

"We could put up some hedges or a fence." The woman suggested.

"It would just make it more difficult to mow the lawn." The man said with a catch of disgust in his voice.

"Why did David and Peggy have to move to the suburbs?"

"They wanted a new home and they could afford it, you can't blame them for that dear."

"I suppose not." He said turning then shuffling towards the backyard. "I think I'll try the lawn stone to level these tracks away."

"You think it'll work?" She asked.

"It's worth a try."

_________________

I watched with interest as the new neighbors came and went at all hours. It seemed as if too many people were living within the three bedroom home. Most of the occupants were of teenage years with parents that preferred to look the other way instead of utilizing good old fashioned discipline. The family had no regard for those around them and the boys could often be seen dropping rubble as they hurried from car to house. The debris, mostly fast food wrappers, often blew in all directions reminding me of manmade leaves in an autumn gust.

The thing that surprised me most was how everyone looked the other way as if they were afraid of the new family.

The following weekend, the new family which I nicknamed "hoodlums" actually mowed the lawn which drew much attention from the neighborhood. People stood gaping in plain view from their front windows and yards as the oldest son walked the push lawnmower. The relic of a mower sputtered a thick oil exhaust in it's wake and backfired on every third swoop of the perimeter.

When he had completed his task, he left the mower where he had finished and hurried back into the house.

Moments later, he returned with a can of Budweiser extended from his hand. He was too young to be drinking, but that did not seem to bother him nor his parents one bit.

Around sunset, cars, pickup trucks and two vans cluttered the remainder of lawn next door. Because there was a lack of space, vehicles began to park on adjoining properties. From within the frame of the glass window, patio man's gaze reflected horror as car after car utilized his front lawn. As two teenagers lit some sort of home rolled cigarette, patio man darted out the door and his eyes narrowed with contempt. Bathrobe Annie suddenly appeared, pulling him back by the elbow.

"Is it worth fighting a bloody war over?" She asked as his gaze followed the teenagers as they brazenly sauntered across the center of his lawn to the neighbor's home. Patio man and bathrobe Annie shuffled along in a slow movement, eventually disappearing back inside through the front entrance.

Within minutes the party next door was in full swing. Clangs from a game of horse shoes filled the air along with seventies rock. It reminded me of Gregg Moore and granting him a wish during that particular time period. His room was filled with posters of various rock groups and all of the characters were in dire need of a haircut and a shave. I wondered why anyone would appear so disheveled especially to pose for a photograph of such.

Well into the midnight hour the party continued at full throttle. The police eventually arrived and there was a polite warning regarding the level of noise. Everything appeared to have quieted until the police cruiser reached the end of the block and then it was as if the warning was never issued.

There were several times that a "hoodlum" member would drive off during the course of the evening. Boxes of various beer was dragged in to replenish the used supply. It seemed the more everyone drank the louder and more obnoxious they became. Music, laughter, cussing, cheering... engines revving, tires squealing...

Well after the midnight hour, a fist fight erupted bordering on patio man's property. It seemed one of the rowdy hoodlums didn't appreciate the attention his girlfriend was getting from a male guest.

Words spewed from their lips, angry, horrid language that any good parent would have nipped many years ago with a bar of nasty tasting soap. I gazed along the row of homes as many onlookers watched with horror. I half expected for sale signs to be posted the following day along the surrounding properties.

Finally at sun-up, the party dispersed. In it's wake, a thick wave of empty beer cans, cigarette wrappers, cigarette butts, empty plastic cups, and potato chip bags. The rubble was not confined to the hoodlum yard, but was strewn everywhere.

Patio-man and bathrobe Annie took to their chairs bright and early. There was an obvious sadness as they gazed about their trashed yard. Numerous ruts from tire indentations had appeared swerving from the adjoining property and onto theirs. I could sense the rage simmering from both homeowners as they took notice of such.

A heated discussion then began. Occasional words became audible within the rise and fall of their quarrel. "Police, trouble, retaliation, angry, disrespect, annoyance...." All quick words hidden within complex sentences. "Just forget it!" Patio man finally snapped at his wife.

In the end, both rose from their seats and began to clean up the yard. I could sense their disgust as they worked.

The following week, the hoodlums brought home a mutant dog. The creature was a huge ball of black fur with large gnarling teeth. I'm not certain what particular breed the dog was, but it barked as if everything around were a danger to its very existence. Leaves ruffling in the wind, birds flying overhead, cars passing on the street, everything set the dog into a territorial fit.

The hoodlums tied the dog on a long chain in the front yard and named the animal "Stupid." I believed with the proper owner Stupid would have softened with love and patience, but with these people adopting him, I held little hope for the creature to readjust its disposition to gentleness.

They say animals are a reflection of their owners in both personality and appearance. I found the choice of them naming the dog Stupid interesting and wondered what the dog had named them in return.

The canine had a deep hacking bark that seemed ferocious and it took twenty minutes for the neighborhood children to realize the potential danger on a chain. Many cowered away from that section of the block, swinging their bicycles as if a hidden wall prevented their passage.

In no time a large circle had bore into the neighbors front lawn from the dog's constant run.

With every new weekend brought another party. Since Stupid was residing in prime parking space, more neighboring yards was utilized to accommodate the overflow of guests. Each time a new guest would arrive, Stupid would bark with hatred at their presence. Most of the neighborhood attempted to ignore the happenings completely either by making a point to leave town for the weekend or by drawing their draperies around sunset.

On one occasion, someone smuggled in a crate of fireworks. Pop, snap, boom...resounded and shook to the very foundation of the street. Two of the hoodlum brothers decided to have a bottle rocket fight, standing at the edge of the yard and taking aim towards one another at twenty paces. It reminded me of a dual as both lit the wicks and began to laugh hysterically. Pop, pop... the bottle rockets exploded. One erupted in the back seat of a rather nice convertible, the other snapped inches from my perch cracking the mirrored ball in a slight line. This behavior set Stupid off in a furious rage.

The hoodlum father slid open the widow from the house and used profanity in loud volume. He directed both of his son's, to stop. The father finally concluded that he didn't need either one of them to end up in the hospital as a result of their "little game."

A brick of firecrackers was ignited from within a metallic garbage can. The sound resounded in an amplified state. I watched with interest as the young mother from across the street slowly made her way to the hoodlum door. She reminded me of a timid deer about to venture into the forest during the first day of hunting season.

Everything fell silent and I could actually make out the conversation at hand.

She spoke in a sure tone directed at the hoodlum mother.

"Hi." The young woman began.

"I just managed to get my little ones to bed but the fireworks are keeping them awake. I'd really appreciate it if you could encourage your boys to put the firecrackers away for the evening.... my babies need their rest."

The hoodlum mother just gazed at the woman with a blank stare.

"I appreciate your consideration." The woman said as she turned on her heels returning to her yard and into the house.

Not ten minutes later, all four hoodlum brothers took aim with an arsenal of bottle rockets directed at the woman's home. In unison they lit the wicks, snap after snap of relentless fire.

I noticed the horror as young mother gazed out her front window. Not ten minutes passed until the police arrived at her house. The officer stood at her door taking notes as she pointed across the street. The cop walked with authority from the woman's house to the hoodlum property.

The entire family stood in unison reminding me of a small army. They nodded and the youngest son pointed his finger at the cop smarting off.

In the end, the officer walked away with the remaining crate of fireworks and I wondered if the neighborhood shared in the relief that I felt.

After the sun had risen the next day, Patio man and Bathrobe Annie took to cleaning up their yard. As they passed, I tried numerous times to get their attention to fall upon my presence. It became obvious it wasn't the proper time for me to grant them a wish.

__________

Two weekends passed without a party and everyone appeared cautious as if in wait for the next disruption.

The hoodlum father began allowing Stupid to run the neighborhood just after nightfall each evening. The dog meandered sniffing and marking its territory. It seemed as if the dog was taking over the neighborhood as well.

Stupid seemed to prefer the gardens of Patio man's home. Not far from where I was, the dog left a deposit. "Shoo!" I screamed at the creature. "Get out of here!" The dog swung around, growling in surprise. It sniffed the mirrored ball, then hurried back to its own yard where the hoodlum father praised the dog for not soiling their yard.

It didn't take long for Patio-man and bathrobe Annie to take notice of the various mounds of excrement beginning to form.

"I don't know how much more of those people I can take." Patio man said to his wife.

Around mid week, as bathrobe Annie was hauling groceries from her trunk to the house, Stupid swung into their garage and cornered her. She hopped onto the car's roof and stood screaming in horror as the dog took precise leaps showing it's teeth as if ready to bite.

"Gary!" She screamed from the small garage.

"GARY, HELP ME!"

Patio man suddenly appeared from the house taking notice of what was going on within his garage.

In a flash he ran to the hoodlum house demanding that they take control of their animal. The oldest son commanded Stupid to return home. The hoodlum boy did not appear remorseful at all, but in truth, seemed amused that their dog had nearly mauled bathrobe Annie.

"You've got to do something about them!" Annie demanded of her husband.

"They're lunatics, each and every one of them!" Patio-man responded.

"That dog could've torn me apart."

"I know, I know... I'm not sure what to do about the situation."

"Darn it Gary, phone the police! If enough people complain, they're sure to do something about those people."

"Okay, you're right."

Both husband and wife disappeared into the house. A police cruiser soon rolled into their driveway. The officer went into Patio-man's house and many minutes passed until he was seen again. This was the same officer that intervened after the fireworks incident.

He slowly made his way back to the police car and sat scribbling something on a clipboard. Several minutes later he used the handset to radio the station. Instead of pulling away, he remained in his seat as if waiting for something.

It wasn't long before an animal control truck pulled into the hoodlum yard. The officer stood from his car and sauntered to the hoodlum house using his fist to pound on their door.

What followed was not an easy process. Much screaming and disturbance erupted as animal control placed a noose around the dog's neck.

The noose was connected to a long pole making it impossible for Stupid to bite. The officers then hauled Stupid away.

___________

The neighborhood remained silent for the better part of the week. Sometime in the night, from out of nowhere, the oldest hoodlum son appeared standing in Patio man's front yard.

"That was my dog!" He declared through clenched teeth.

IN an instant he rushed towards the pedestal and the tip of his boot connected with the mirrored ball. With incredible velocity I took flight, whirling in the direction of the front picture window. Since I had not granted a wish, it was only possible for the ball to crack... my presence made the thin layer of glass virtually indestructible. Upon connection with the thick double paned window, I slammed through and landed, bouncing several times onto the hardwood floor.

Patio-man and bathrobe Annie had been sitting at the dining room table in the adjoining L shaped dining room. Their eyes reflected horror as they realized what had happened.

"Hello!" I said. Both faces reflected disbelief by my presence.

"What the heck?" Bathrobe Annie questioned as she picked me up and carried me to their table.

"A magic yard ball?" Patio-man asked.

"No. I'm Robert the mirror-man. I'm here to grant you a single wish...think it through since you'll only receive one favor."

"The neighbors next door." Patio-man spat without hesitation. "Go back and fix it so that they never bought that house in the first place. In fact, put some sort of force field out there so that they never discover this street and stay miles away from our property!"

"As you wish." I said as I catapulted from the orb. Both sets of eyes reflected surprise as I stood in full form.

I then waved my hands in a showy way. I felt the time-space shift into a sudden reverse. Tree leaves seemed to blow in a wind opposite normal. The surrounding air filled with a pungent odor, reminding me of rancid onions.

Minutes passed and the window suddenly repaired itself.

We headed outside and our attention fell to the home next door. There was no indication that the hoodlums had ever resided there. A cream colored sedan was parked in the driveway. The run where the dog had embedded a path had disappeared. An immediate sense of tranquillity filled the air.

Patio-man hurried to the door of the neighbor and tapped in a polite way. He appeared nervous, swaying his stance while he waited. An older gentleman opened the door and a broad grin transformed Patio-man's tense face into relief. He waved in the direction of his wife and myself showing his approval.

In a quick dissolve I melted towards the ground. Bathrobe Annie managed a quick thank you as the surroundings fogged over and fell completely away. Peace was restored and I began to pity the neighborhood the Hoodlums now resided in and terrorized.