THE QUESTION

By Valtunk and Mnezz

Theme Song/Music dedicated to the 2 lovebirdiez, for this work/story…..

‘Hooked on a feeling’

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UtreOlPr6lE&pp=ygUfSG9va2VkIG9uIGEgZmVlbGluZyBzb25nIGx5cmljcw%3D%3D

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

MAIN CHARACTERS:

Finnard- patient (takes his time), also enjoys working on crafty tasks/projects, as well as

even helping out his neighbor(s).

Marjorie- loves to go shopping, taking short leisurely walks around the neighborhood, and drives like she was taught by none other than Vin Diesel from Fast & Furious (N.B. make sure to buckle your seatbelt/up...before she puts the pedal to the metal.)

Other or Supporting Characters:

Chucky (also known as the one not to be left in charge of handing out candy to kids because he will end up dressing up just like Chucky and scaring the kids so much so that they never ever go trick ’o treating ever again- later on he asks his close buddies, and kinfolks to just call him Chu.)

D.J. (famous D.J. who shows up to his assigned place of work dressed like a Man Bat- not to confused with Batman, the latter being much more scary or so Chucky always claims)

Jedy Brunson (the dashing dude who ends up later being the first and only guy in his family to lose a bet, his girl, and car, too)

Mickey (Finnard’s best friend/pal)

Marrisa (Finnard’s ex-wife)

***

VOLUMES….

Volume A—'garten

Volume B- High school

Volume C…College/University..

Volume D..Anniversary.

__________________________

Volume A—'garten

Finnard

He immediately hated the place. Mom didn't have the money for a real 'garten and he ended up here. With these snobbish kids, only one of them looked nice. Very nice, so much so that he drank in the face. He approached the nice face and saw that it was ... was a girl. Boys don't like girls, that was the law in 'garten. And not only was she a girl, she was taller than him, which was... was, ... not right. Girls aren't bigger than boys, not even if they were nice. All the boys said that. But she was taller than all the boys. If she was larger than him, she wasn't nice, Finnard decided. And switched to another face that belonged to a boy, a small, stuck-up creature. Her face stayed with him, confusing him. And a tiny voice in his head that said he will be sorry.

Marjorie

She felt kind of nervous about not being with her parents. The classroom was too noisy and most of the other kids all seemed to be busy making fart noises or eating their snot. Even though she felt nervous, she tried to make friends with the noisy kids. She had been paying so much attention to the others in the class that she didn't notice anyone keeping a watchful eye on her. When she turned around and saw one of the boys staring at her, all she could do was stare back. Why was he staring at her and not even saying a quick hello or "hi". Before she could say "hi" to him, he had turned his back on her and was talking to the boys instead. Now she felt angry. How rude of him to just walk away when she was about to try to be nice to one of her classmates.

***

Volume B- High school

Marjorie

I rolled my eyes at Chucky. Why did his parents name him Chucky? Didn't they watch the horror series about Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer? Strange. I hope he has a chance to change his name to something less horrible like George or even better Mikael.

The graduation ceremony at the end of Luse Senior High was highlighted. As a young student ambassador and member of the student council, I had the honor of assigning other younger students to help decorate the hall for the big day. The room was lit up with laser beams, and we were even able to hire a DJ for the graduation ceremony.

The only thing that almost scared me a little was the sight of Jedy Brunson. The boy who made most, if not all, of the girls in elementary school swoon. His voice was soft and excitable like Amapiano. I felt like I was about to swoon when he took my hand in his and asked me, "Would you like to dance with me, my dear Marjorie?"

When the music ended, I wanted to scream in anger, but Jedy Brunson swept me off my feet and pressed a kiss to my lips. I wasn't expecting that, and he asked me to be his lover. It must have been something in the juice that had me floating on cloud nine, or trying to make the other girls jealous. I nodded my head and agreed to be Jedy Brunson's girl.

Finnard

He meditated in the corner of the classroom. Chairs left over after the last day of school and study tables were his only company. Wooden witnesses to his gathering of courage. She ... she was here. At the last dance, the last school dance. In a dress that caused him embarrassment, he had to rearrange the inside of his pants several times, hoping no one would notice.

"I hope she won't see it; the bump isn't that big. And she said she wants to dance with me; with a smile, a sunny smile that I remember from 'garten. "

His best friend Mickey, who knew girls intimately, whistled when he saw her.

"Better grab her soon, such a piece like that doesn't stay vacant long. Jedy Brunson is here, too.," Brunson was whispered to be a womanizer no girl could resist.

"Meditate, the courage will rise in him to ask her and keep her from that rich sucker, Jedy Brunson. And to ask about what she said."

"It's time you asked me the question, Finnard." She looked at him expectantly, and he didn't know what to ask. He stuttered when he was near her, his head fogging, but his legs commanded him to stay with her.

"What now, a question? What kind of question? "

When courage flew over the rims, he stomped on the dance floor, to act, to get her. And there a macabre duo of her and Jedy Brunson did some dirty dancing, one on one, almost one on one, kissing in public.

They announced later they were an official couple.

***

Volume C…College/University..

Marjorie

“Marjorie - as I live and breathe,” cried a familiar voice, and I turned to see who had the audacity to pronounce my name in such an icy, Antarctic tone. Ah, of course it was none other than Finnard. I nearly gasped and took a minute for my eyes to stare at his new form, which reminded me of a Super Saiyan mode. How long had he been training? His muscles looked like they had muscles too. What in the world of Dragon Ball Z had he been training or practicing? I felt my heart begin to race as I thought about being lifted or thrown into the air and hoisted over his shoulder. Then he'd take me to a cool place where he'd massage every part of my body with his strong hands. But then I'd probably have to return the gesture and be his masseuse.

“Hey - what are you dreaming about?”

Marjorie

I accidentally bit my tongue and let out a little scream. He looked at me like I was Pennywise the Clown and he was one of the losers who was sick of my existence. He scoffed and went on his way with his head held high.

That kind of shocked me. What did I do wrong now? Was he still mad because I was dating Jedy Brunson? Unbelievable. He needed to let bygones be bygones.

Finnard

She was so beautiful, so sexy; his heart ached, his groin pumped nervously. How, how should he do it? What was he supposed to do to get her? She was the love of his life, forever in his thoughts. Even her name tempted him: Marjorie, MarJorie, My Joy...

And she was alone, sunning herself and smiling at him, Venus in a bikini. He had to pull back to collect himself. He had never slept with a woman and his knowledge of females was a potpourri of medical facts, men's stories, whispers, porn movies, alleged sex mores, and infallible techniques on how to "get it on."

He considered and decided.

"Hi, Marjorie, do you need an oil massage to prevent sunburn?"

"It would do me good, yes. OK, try it."

Finally! He approached her skin, which shimmered in the sun's rays. And began massaging her back. His hands trembled imperceptibly for joy.

"We've met so many times before. Is it some kind of destiny for us? What do you think?"

"If it's, then it's a fate I like, Marjory."

"Well, I am not complaining, Finnard. All you have to do is to ask..."

Bewilderment in his mind.

" What now, what should I ask? If she would not mind it if I kissed her lips? I keep imagining us lying au naturelle- in a state like when we first graced our presence on this earth from our mother’s wombs all bare with nothing to cover our skin, just the two of us in bed all night long. No, not that."

"You know, we're equals, but women still like men to express their feelings and questions first."

Puzzled, he was now massaging her buttocks.

And what had Jedy, who had deflowered half the students, said?

"When you deal with the opening in her, she'll moan first and hug you after. Do it, it's always a win, no fails."

His fingers reached for the little thing between her buttocks.

"If I had to start, I'd say I like you, but from now on you should say... What's that? What are you doing, pervert! Stop your sexual abuse right now. Run before I call the police!” He thought to himself.

His fingers, deep in an unknown orifice, twitched away. As she yelled at him, he ran with his head down, forever ashamed.

"And with your next victim, at least find the right hole!" roared Marjory, and the whole beach

laughed.

Effing Jedy Brunson appeared, talked to her, and calmed her down. Soon they were engaged in a deep discussion.

And they officially became a couple again.

With Finnard milling over the whole situation without finding answers. "How did I miss? What did I miss?"

***

Volume D..Anniversary.

Finnard

At first, he didn't want to go -residues of the divorce were still in his mind, trying to turn him into a monster of marital revenge. He preferred to think of his current job, as a plumber. Yeah, plumber, there was a desperate shortage of them. He quit his mind-numbing bank job, which his ex-wife would never allow to do, and retrained as a plumber. And became an apprentice to a grumpy, stingy old craft master who was a plumbing wizard. Master knew everything, but now that he was old, he couldn't do it anymore. Finnard filled in for him and listened to him when he was analyzing any and all of his work, because it was really instructive, helpful, precious; better than any university...

Finnard became a known plumber magician and had more and more offers. He was healthier than ever and in good spirits, now that he had been out. Of his meh marriage to Marissa; who lived her whole life on welfare and spent her whole time fighting for minorities, any minorities, as long as she demonstrated in the streets; and cashing every government check for her - she always applied for any state subsidy; she raked more than him. They had no children and virtually no property, divorce was easy; after the judge denied her multi-million claims of compensation as he was "torturing her in a racist, non-diversity, non-equality and non-inclusive way."

Now here he was, on the tenth anniversary; the usual sleazy event. The ever-smiling face was still in his thoughts, and he looked around to meet her. This time he didn't need to meditate, no advice from other men or premonitions from women. His thoughts were clear, straightforward--he loved her, with all his heart, with all silly, exaggerated, romantic feelings, with everything. Having decided to come, everything else was firmly planned in his mind. He refused the offered whisky, took a juice and stood at the entrance. She'll come; she must

come.

She was also divorced and it was rumored that she, like him, was alone, not in a relationship. He walked to the front door and waited there while sipping his juice.

"It's now or never. No boys' tales, no meditation, no fxxxing male prejudice and faulty lore about females. Me and her, and what is between us."

For over twenty years she had been in his mind, like a gentle ocean wave, relaxing and clean. And suddenly she was there. Older, yes, like himself; but attractive as a film star. With the eternal smile on her face. He strode up to her for a handshake.

"Can we talk in the park?" It grew all around the anniversary building. Surprised, she nodded and he took her hand. They walked into the first quiet part of the park, with benches, birds and fresh air. And a fresh decision.

Now.

"I love you; I have always loved only you, from kindergarten till today. Do you love me too?" Ha, the big question that all males tried to avoid, did not hurt at all. On the contrary, it was like an eruption that hid in him for an eternity-saying it was freeing him in a way.

Hands wrapped around him, little kisses on his face. "Yes, fool, I've been waiting all this time for you to tell me. And yes, I love you too, I always have."

The Question. So simple and yet so hard to say, but that was in the past now. He kissed her in the bliss of the embrace and joked.

"Now we have a tremendous, historically important few questions to solve, at least two of them."

"Yes?" she understood, she was smiling!

"Should we take your car or mine, and to which restaurant should we go to?"

"Simple, your car, and we'll decide about the restaurant while we're driving."

"My car? What about the feminist principles of equality?" he joked.

"They're below the female love principles. Which says, take his car, so that he will drive and not you, and he will pay for the gas. And cannot drink. Hehe."

Questions answered, they walked to the car and drove away, leaving behind all the sad recollections of college life talked at anniversary reunions.

And leaving behind The Question.

Which was finally asked and answered.

Marjorie

The thought of attending the event for folks celebrating their anniversary did not appeal to her. To make things worse, she had no one to go with this time around- which kind of felt odd, to still be showing up with a Monalisa smile and wishing other couples attending the very best in their marriage while she tried not to show that she had strong feeling of hopelessness for matters of the heart. She did hope for the best for the couples, and still kept on smiling for herself, too. After all Jedy Brunson was out of the picture, not that she had killed him, or had him killed. No, that had not been necessary.

What had happened was she ended up coming back to their home, well, it was her place actually. She had spotted his car, again, which was the one she had handed to him for a short while. Most of the stuff Jedy had was from Marjorie- she later made sure to get it all back. But now she was thinking maybe she should have left even a few, or other of her possessions maybe to the group of students that she mentored. They would have loved being informed that they can share and live at a home, or place that was almost the size of the Castle of Cini Monselice in Veneto.

Any way back to what had taken place...she had forgotten her briefcase for work, and was trying to rush back to grab important files, her client needed a document for the final steps for the adoption process. It was a passion of hers helping others who longed to have, and care for a child, or kids do their best and be granted the right to be parents/guardians of a little one, or young kid, even a pair, some did end up being in charge of a good number of children, close to even a tiny soccer team.

Marjorie had stepped into the Castle like home, and went up the round staircase, past the elevator, and headed toward her office space. Before she got there- she had heard someone giggling, and the sounds of exciting activity coming from her boudoir.

Lo, and behold to Marjorie’s disdain- there was not the maid, but the bellboy from the Grand Trine Hotel in a Michelangelo’s David pose. Marjorie’s mouth opened in disbelief. How long had this...whatever it was.. been going on? And right in her bedroom, of all places? Why didn’t Jedy use his own room, or did he prefer the queen sized feather bed instead of his king size memory foam mattress?

Since that day Marjorie had never spoken to Jedy, or even wanted to be seen with him in any public, private spaces, or outdoor event places.

“Marjorie?”

She turned and smiled at the familiar face. “Finnard?”

Her heart skipped a beat at the sigh of Finnard. His salt and pepper hair look gave her want to just want to style his wavy hair into a curly twist. She had heard that he was married to a woman, Marissa. The name did not ring a bell, and she had never met Marissa in person- only heard about her from Mickey and Chu. She was glad to hear that Finnard at least was not alone. But now she wondered where Marissa was. He had nobody, or this so-called Marrisa, clinging to his arm like he was a giant chunky tasty piece of fine dark chocolate.

He asked to speak with her somewhere more private, in a less crowded spot. She nodded her head, and was glad that he even took her hand in his. This made her feel a warm, tingly Christmas morning energy kind of happy way.

She listened attentively to his every word like he was one of the great orators of ancient Egypt predicting and informing her she would be the next in line for the throne-one to rule like Cleopatra.

His words were sweet, and like gentle playing music to her that she would want to keep listening to for ages to come.

When he reminisced about the first day they met, that brought a smile to her face. She was glad that their paths had crossed, and somehow after such a long time their paths ended up crossing for an unforgettable ending.

The End...

which is their beginning..