Chapter 1 - The Start
1402 Words
NEVER GO TO THE DENTIST ON A MONDAY
First edition: March 2019
© Ana Escudero Canosa
© Belén Escudero Canosa
© Never go to the dentist on a monday
Registered the original version in Spanish in Safe Creative: 1804076483175 - All rights reserved
Cover images: Creative Commons license
Origin of the images: Pixabay
Authors of the original images: Mysticsartdesign, martaposemuckel.
Translation: Susana Hayder
NEVER GO TO THE DENTIST ON A MONDAY
Ana Escudero
Belén Escudero
Chapter 1 - The Start
Chapter 2 - The dental clinic
Chapter 3 - Investigation at the clinic
Chapter 4 - Seven Marbles
Chapter 5 - Vivian begins running around in this story
Chapter 6 - Three-way meeting
Chapter 7 - Going to the amusement park
Chapter 8 - An unexpected trip
Chapter 9 - Observations of a tattle tale
Chapter 10 - Persnickety Alexis
Chapter 11 - Dumplings and company
Chapter 12 - Hamburgers and ice cream
Chapter 13 - Barks
Chapter 14 - A detour on the way
Chapter 15 - The candy store
Chapter 16 - The nest
Chapter 17 - The surprise message
Chapter 18 - Under the rain
Chapter 19 - Cookies and gloves
Chapter 20 - Franz
Chapter 21 - Granny
Chapter 22 - A walkman in the attic
Chapter 23 - Xenia, nurse and cat
Chapter 24 - Pizza rain
Chapter 25 - Syringe of betrayal
Chapter 26 - Dimwit and family
Chapter 27 - Two alphas collide
Chapter 28 - Katrina and Sultan
Chapter 29 - Reunion
Chapter 1 - The Start“Peter, remember that you have to take Alexis to the dentist today.”
Peter nodded even though he didn’t feel like it at all.
“And don’t forget to by the grocery store and get Sultan’s food,” continued Vivian.
Peter threw a glance at the subject, who was resting very close to the fireplace. He didn’t move, only his ears twitched slightly at the sound of the word food.
“Where are you going Vivian?” he asked, even though he already knew the answer.
“You know I have business to attend to, debts to collect. Speaking of which, when are you going to pay me back what you still owe me? The years pass and interest goes up.“
“Wasn’t that taken care of?” Peter asked.
”Why? Because we got married?”
“Yeah, wasn’t that the deal?”
“Really? I don’t remember. Listen, the nerves from the wedding made me say things I didn’t mean.”
Peter remembered that day; everything went so fast, he thought they were going to kill him.
Vivian got up from the chair, came close to Peter and gave him a kiss before turning to her son who was playing with Sultan pulling on his ears.
“See you later,” she said, “and don’t be late Peter. I’m not about to change the appointment again.”
Peter watched his wife leave and he didn’t feel sorry, she was bossy and it was hard for him to follow that lifestyle with so many rules. It went against his nature.
“Alexis, go get ready and don’t forget to bring your hoodie or mom will yell at you if you ruin your costume. After we leave the dentist we can go wherever you want.”
“Yes daddy. Really? Anywhere I want?”
“Yes, anywhere.”
In Peter’s opinion a trip to the dentist deserved a reward. Twenty minutes later the two were heading out the door with Sultan in tow. The dentist’s office was not close. It was more than half an hour away so Peter said, “We’ll take the bus, what do you think Alexis?”
“Yes! What about Sultan?”
“Sultan will come with us of course.”
Alexis thought something didn’t quite make sense, but he listened to his dad anyway. The three made their way to the bus stop. Peter and Alexis were ahead and Sultan was bringing up the rear. It seemed he dragged rather than walked. When they were getting close Peter noticed there were a few people waiting for the bus.
“I don’t like standing,” he said. “Come Alexis, we’ll go first.”
Sultan shook his head and barked, but that was all, he didn’t have the same energy as before. In the distance he saw a bus appear while a car got ahead of it. The red light gave Peter a chance to get in place. The car stopped and the driver honked his horn a couple of times. Almost everyone looked. Sultan barked happily and Alexis clapped while Peter looked at the driver fearfully.
“Hello, do you want to get in?” he offered.
“No, it’s all right we’ll be just fine in the bus,” answered Peter.
The bus advanced and several people waved it down so it would stop. Peter pulled on his son as he called Sultan while heading for the bus ready to get on it. But Sultan didn’t come, he was lying comfortably in the back seat of the car.
“Daddy, look at Sultan. He got in Uncle’s car,” Alexis said explaining the obvious.
Peter turned to verify his son’s words while the bus stopped. People started to get on, some even bumping slightly into those that were next to them with the intention of getting on the bus first so they could get the empty seats. The Debt Collector was leaning on the hood rolling a cigarette waiting for Peter to decide.
“If you think about it too much you’ll be late for your appointment,” The Debt Collector said.
“Fine, but I’m driving.”
The Debt Debt Collector laughed like only he could, with a dark and eerie laugh that shook Peter to his core.
“I’m about to get my license, you know,” he protested without saying it was his twentieth try. The Debt Collector laughed again, if you could call that a laugh.
“Get in. Look, your son is already sitting next to Sultan.”
“Daddy, get in or mom will get mad at us again,” Alexis said.
They both got in and The Debt Collector put the car in drive. “Where to?” he asked.
“150 Arribista Street.”
“And what are you going to do there?”
“You already know. We’re going to the dentist.”
“Me? How do you expect me to know little brother?”
“I think you’re getting old. Alzheimer’s is playing tricks on you.”
“You’re so funny little brother! You wish I’d lose my memory.”
“I worry about you. We’ve known each other for ages. How old are you?”
“I’d say about forty-two.”
“That’s all?” You seem older. This job of yours is making you age quicker,” Peter said. “Look at me, I just turned thirty and look at my complexion,” he added.
“Yes, you’re still just a child little brother. Well, we better get going or we’ll both be in trouble with your wife.”
The Debt Collector turned the steering wheel trying to merge into traffic. As they got closer to their destination Peter was becoming increasingly nervous while Alexis enjoyed watching the other cars.
“Uncle, I have a question, what’s your name? The Debt Collector? Uncle? Every time my dad talks about you he says “him” or other words that mom says I shouldn’t repeat out loud.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed The Debt Collector. “You can call me the Debt Collector like everyone else does.”
“Okay uncle The Debt Collector.”
“Why are you going to the dentist Alexis?”
“My mom says it’s because I eat too much candy. She also says it’s daddy’s fault.”
“How old are you?”
Alexis raised one of his hands and extended five fingers, and then he raised his other hand and extended one finger.
“Six. You still have your baby teeth. Listen to your mother Alexis.”
“I don’t understand you Uncle, what do you mean? I always listen to mom; she’s the one who rules at home.”
“By the way, your costume is cute,” he said. He could see part of it because the child had the zipper of his hoodie down due to the stifling heat inside The Debt Collector’s car.
“Thank you. I am Eridanus,” he said, not knowing what he was saying but proud he remembered.
Peter wasn’t listening. His mind was somewhere else far away from there. How happy he would be at the beach in California!
“Is it that building?” asked The Debt Collector without getting a reply. “Peter. Peter. Peter!”
“Huh? What’s going on?”
“Where were you? I’m asking you if it’s there,” he said pointing at a building that had a Dental Clinic sign.
“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never paid attention to the outside or the route we take.”
“I don’t even know why I ask,” The Debt Collector mumbled to himself. He squinted to see the number. They all got out of the car, this was the right place.
“You can go now. Good bye Debt Collector.”
“See you later little brother.”
Seconds later he was going around the corner in his car. Sultan watched him go sadly and then he lay down by the building’s door. Father and son headed for the dental clinic, the father dragging his feet and the son happy with a bounce in his step.
- Writer
