The House That Had A Gentle Heart - Part 6

For the moment, Gentle and Rusty were still and quiet as the opening credits to Finding Nemo 3D were rolling.

Across the driveway Bent and Soggy Bristle sat at their kitchen table wondering what was going on at the Miller house.

“I’ve been cooped up in this house all week,” said Soggy. “I’m ready to bust. What say we don our night-vision goggles and see what we come up with in the Miller’s backyard.”

“I’m in,” said Soggy. “This way we can peep in the window and check on Rusty.”

“And people wonder why we blacken our windows. Ha,” said Bent. “You just never know who’s going to be looking in.”

The Bristles put their night-vision goggles in place and crept out the back door.

"They’ve got a sweet little set of plaster Dutch-boys in their rose garden that I’ve had my eye on,” said Bent. “Remind me when we get there. I’d like to smash their heads in.”

“Not if I get there first,” said Soggy.

The Miller’s stood at their kitchen window admiring the rose garden in the backyard.

“They’re just beautiful this year,” said Helen.

“Thy’re gorgeous,” said Tom. “Even better than-- what the heck?”

“What is it, Tom?”

“Isn’t that the Bristles in our backyard?”

“Where?” said Helen. “I don’t see anyone. Maybe we should invite them in.”

“I don’t think they’re looking for company,” said Tom. ”They‘re crawling around on all fours.”

“I see them know,” said Helen. “And for gosh sakes, what’s that on their heads?”

“Looks like night-vision goggles.”

“I know it’s a little cloudy," said Helen, “but it’s broad daylight.”

“They don’t seem to know that,” said Tom.

“It’s no wonder,” said Helen. “Living in that house of theirs. I mean, really, who blackens all their house windows to keep the sun out? What do you think they want?”

“Golf balls, apparantly,” said Tom. “Bent Bristle just stuffed a couple of my lost Nautilus balls into his trouser pocket.”

“Just look at them out there,” said Helen. “Isn’t it the silliest thing you’ve ever seen? Two adults crawling around your backyard stealing golf balls.”

“And smashing Little Dutch boys with my best putter!” said Tom. “Did you see that? I’m going out there!“

“Oh, don’t!” said Helen. “You never know what some people are capable of. Let’s wait a minute. If they do any real damage we’ll call the police. It’s actually kind of fun. Reality TV right in our backyard. Starring the Bristles. America’s number one nut cases.”

“Okay,” laughed Tom. “If you insist. But if they come anywhere near my plastic pink flamingoes, I’m going out there with the garden hose.”

“Look, Tom! Look!” said Helen. “They’re getting up and walking this way!”

“For crying out loud!” said Tom. “They really don’t know it’s daylight. I bet they’re coming to peep in our window.”

“This is too funny, Tom. I’m getting the camera!”
“Don’t,” laughed Tom. “Really.”

But it was too late. When Helen returned to the kitchen she just about busted a gut trying not to laugh. Tom was doing the same and having a hard time keeping a straight face.

Bent and Soggy Bristle were now on the back deck, standing face to face with the Miller’s. Nothing but a picture window between them.

“Just pretend you can’t see them,” said Tom.

“Oh, my gosh,” whispered Helen. “Those goggles. They look like aliens. How long do you think they’re going to stand there staring at us?”

“Until we do something worth watching, I guess,” said Tom. “What do you think we should do?”

“I have an idea,” said Helen. “Let’s give them a little dance.”

“I’m in,” said Tom. “But let’s do it before they leave.”

But the Bristles weren’t going anywhere soon.

“Look at the Miller’s,” said Soggy Bristle. “They must be drunk. No one laughs at nothing unless they’ve had a few too many.”

“And what’s that they’re doing in there?” said Bent.

“It looks like the Hokey Pokey,” said Soggy.

“Never heard of it,” said Bent.

“Well, if I remember correctly, it goes something like this. You put your left foot in. You put your left foot out. You put your left foot in and you--”

“I said I never heard of it,” said Bent. “Leave it that way. Now let’s check around the other side of the house. Who knows what sort of dreadful activities that awful girl of theirs has got our Rusty involved with.”

“So, Rusty,” said Gentle, “do you want to play hide-and-go-seek after the movie?”

"Sure," said Rusty. "I'd like that a lot."