Shownotes
[18+] LaShawn’s first whirlwind romance ended tumultuously. And right as he thinks it’s too late for him, in comes a parrot many years his junior…
Today’s story is the second and final part of a revamped version of a revamped version of “A Tale of Two Whirlwinds” by Herr Wozzeck, who is a composer, violist, Thereminist, and writer based in Boston. They are the author of the novels Whip and Boot and Lost Inside the Blue Line, as well as the poetry collection The Enigma Letters. His stories are also in various anthologies, including “The Wideness of the World” and “The Furry Game Show Network”. You can also see them perform with Trio Menagerie, and you can find more of their stories on their FurAffinity account.
Read by True, Speaking Directly Into Your Mind.
thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.
https://thevoice.dog/episode/18-a-tale-of-two-whirlwinds-by-herr-wozzeck-part-2-of-2
Transcripts
Today's
Speaker:story
Speaker:concerns
Speaker:adult
Speaker:subject
Speaker:matter
Speaker:for
Speaker:mature
Speaker:listeners.
Speaker:If
Speaker:that's
Speaker:not
Speaker:your
Speaker:cup
Speaker:of
Speaker:tea,
Speaker:or
Speaker:there
Speaker:are
Speaker:youngsters
Speaker:listening,
Speaker:please
Speaker:skip
Speaker:this
Speaker:one
Speaker:and
Speaker:come
Speaker:back
Speaker:for
Speaker:another
Speaker:story
Speaker:another
Speaker:time.
You’re
listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:Pride
Speaker:Month
Speaker:on
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
Speaker:This
Speaker:is
Speaker:Rob
Speaker:MacWolf,
Speaker:your
Speaker:fellow
Speaker:traveler,
Speaker:and
Speaker:Today’s
Speaker:story
Speaker:is
Speaker:the
Speaker:second
Speaker:and
Speaker:final
Speaker:part
Speaker:of
Speaker:a
Speaker:revamped
Speaker:version of a revamped version
Speaker:of “A
Speaker:Tale
Speaker:of Two Whirlwinds” by Herr Wozzeck, who is a composer, violist,
Speaker:Thereminist,
Speaker:and
Speaker:writer
Speaker:based
Speaker:in
Speaker:Boston.
Speaker:They are
Speaker:the
Speaker:author
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:novels
Speaker:Whip and
Speaker:Boot
Speaker:and
Speaker:Lost
Speaker:Inside
Speaker:the
Speaker:Blue
Speaker:Line,
Speaker:as
Speaker:well
Speaker:as
Speaker:the
Speaker:poetry
Speaker:collection
Speaker:The
Speaker:Enigma
Speaker:Letters.
Speaker:His
Speaker:stories
Speaker:are
Speaker:also
Speaker:in
Speaker:various
Speaker:anthologies,
Speaker:including “The
Speaker:Wideness
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:World”
Speaker:and “The
Speaker:Furry
Speaker:Game
Speaker:Show
Speaker:Network”.
Speaker:You
Speaker:can
Speaker:also
Speaker:see
Speaker:them
Speaker:perform
Speaker:with
Speaker:Trio Menagerie,
Speaker:and
Speaker:you
Speaker:can
Speaker:find
Speaker:more
Speaker:of
Speaker:their
Speaker:stories
Speaker:on
Speaker:their
Speaker:FurAffinity
Speaker:account.
Last
time,
Speaker:LaShawn’s
Speaker:relationship
Speaker:with
Speaker:Tomás
Speaker:ended
Speaker:abruptly,
Speaker:leaving
Speaker:LaShawn
Speaker:alone
Speaker:and
Speaker:believing
Speaker:it
Speaker:is
Speaker:too
Speaker:late
Speaker:for
Speaker:him
Speaker:to
Speaker:be
Speaker:happy
Speaker:in a relationship.
Please enjoy
“A Tale of Two Whirlwinds” by Herr Wozzeck, Part 2 of 2
LaShawn met him at a train station.
It
was
Speaker:a
Speaker:cold
Speaker:November
Speaker:noon,
Speaker:after
Speaker:when
Speaker:the
Speaker:world
Speaker:was
Speaker:supposed
Speaker:to
Speaker:have
Speaker:ended;
Speaker:the
Speaker:snow
Speaker:was
Speaker:falling
Speaker:a
Speaker:little
Speaker:earlier
Speaker:than
Speaker:usual
Speaker:that
Speaker:year.
Speaker:As
Speaker:he
Speaker:walked
Speaker:up,
Speaker:he
Speaker:thought
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:ways
Speaker:he
Speaker:had
Speaker:changed
Speaker:over
Speaker:the
years:years:
his
years:hair
years:had
years:grown
years:out
years:and
years:gone wiry,
years:his
years:eyes
years:were
years:a
years:fair
years:deal
years:duller,
years:and
years:his
years:singing
years:voice
years:had
years:developed
years:a
years:wobble
years:that
years:LaShawn
years:had
years:to
years:admit
years:he
years:didn’t
years:exactly
years:like.
years:But
years:there
years:it
was:was:
LaShawn
was:was
was:getting
was:old,
was:and
was:he
was:had
was:begun
was:to
was:make
was:peace
was:with
was:that
was:fact,
was:especially
was:with
was:his
was:more
was:frequent
was:visits
was:to
was:the
was:doctor’s
was:office.
On
this
was:particular
was:day,
was:he had
was:decided
was:to
was:take
was:a
was:doctor’s
was:appointment
was:to
was:a
was:different
was:place.
was:Going
was:out
was:to
was:the
was:University
was:Hospitals
was:was
was:a
was:bit
was:of
was:an
was:endeavor,
was:but
was:LaShawn
was:was
was:grateful
was:for
was:the
was:chance
was:to
was:see
was:the
was:East
was:Side
was:of
was:Cleveland
was:and
was:its
was:better-kept
was:buildings
was:once
was:again.
was:It
was:also
was:helped
was:that
was:he
was:was
was:rather
was:close
was:to
was:train
was:stations
was:there,
was:something
was:that
was:made
was:his
was:life
was:considerably
was:easier.
Of
course,
was:the
was:station
was:could
was:have
was:done
was:without
was:the
was:nasty
was:public
was:restroom
was:stench
was:that LaShawn
was:was
was:sure
was:everyone
was:hated.
was:But
was:at
was:that
was:point,
was:that
was:was
was:just
was:Cleveland.
When
he
was:reached
was:the
was:summit
was:of
was:the
was:stairs
was:and
was:walked
was:through
was:the
was:door
was:out
was:into
was:the
was:cold
was:November
was:air,
was:he
was:saw
was:a
was:parrot
was:sitting
was:at
was:the
was:bench
was:closest
was:to
was:the
was:door.
was:That
was:immediately
was:caught
was:LaShawn’s
was:attention;
was:parrots
was:were
was:a
was:rare
was:sight
was:north
was:of
was:the
was:Mason-Dixon
was:Line,
was:particularly
was:parrots
was:with
was:such
was:vibrantly-colored
was:red
was:cheek
was:feathers
was:that
was:he
was:saw
was:there.
was:LaShawn
was:assumed
was:he
was:was
was:probably
was:young,
was:likely a
was:college
was:student,
was:and
was:he
was:also
was:noted
was:that
was:the
was:parrot
was:looked unamused.
LaShawn
stepped
was:forward. “Um,
was:excuse
was:me,
was:sir,”
was:he
was:said. “Do
was:you
was:know
was:if
was:the
was:train
was:is
was:going
was:to
was:come
was:soon?”
The
parrot
was:chuckled,
was:deep
was:brown
was:eyes
was:lighting
was:up
was:as
was:he
was:turned
was:his
was:attention
was:to
was:LaShawn. “Funny
was:you
was:should
was:ask,”
was:the
was:parrot
was:replied,
was:pointing
was:at
was:the
was:tracks
was:with
was:his
was:thumb. “I
was:literally
was:got
was:here
was:as
was:the
was:train
was:was
was:pulling
was:out of
was:the
was:station
was:about
was:ten
was:seconds
was:ago.”
LaShawn
shrugged. “I
was:see,”
was:he
was:said.
was:He
was:then
was:stepped
was:towards
was:the
was:bench,
was:looking
was:at
was:the
was:parrot
was:intently. “Thanks.”
The
parrot
was:nodded,
was:not
was:really
was:saying
was:much
was:of
was:anything
was:else.
It
was
was:then
was:that
was:LaShawn
was:took
was:notice
was:of
was:the
was:two
was:bags
was:the
was:parrot
was:had
was:with
was:him.
was:One
was:looked
was:like
was:a
was:standard
was:backpack
was:that
was:most
was:students
was:would
was:carry
was:around
was:that
was:area,
was:but
was:the
was:other
was:interested
was:him.
was:Printed
was:in
was:all-capitalized
was:letters
was:was
was:the
was:word “MOOG”,
was:a
was:name
was:that
was:LaShawn
was:thought
was:he
was:recognized.
was:It
was:was
was:the
was:rectangular
was:nature
was:of
was:the
was:case
was:that
was:really
was:grabbed
was:his
was:attention,
was:though.
After
pondering
was:a
was:few
was:seconds,
was:he
was:pointed
was:at
was:the
was:case. “Sorry
was:if
was:I’m
was:intruding,
was:sir, but…
was:what
was:is
was:that?”
The parrot
looked
was:back
was:at
was:LaShawn, then at where
was:LaShawn’s
was:finger
was:was
was:pointing.
was:The
was:parrot
was:chuckled,
was:looking
was:back
was:at
was:LaShawn
was:with
was:a
was:smile. “Oh,
was:this?”
was:he
was:asked. “It’s
was:my
was:Theremin.
was:Old
was:electronic
was:instrument,
was:you
was:know?”
And
then,
was:LaShawn
was:remembered.
“Ah!” said
he
was:said. “I
was:thought
was:I
was:recognized
was:that
was:name
was:somewhere.
was:Moog
was:was
was:one
was:of
was:the
was:engineers
was:that
was:made
was:those
was:things,
was:right?”
The
parrot
was:shrugged. “Well,
was:it’s
was:the
was:name
was:of
was:the
was:company
was:now,
was:but
was:you
was:get
was:the
was:basic
was:idea,”
was:he
was:said. “It
was:sounds
was:like
was:you
was:know
was:something
was:about
was:it.”
“As
a
was:matter
was:of
was:fact,
was:I
was:do,”
was:said
was:LaShawn. “I
was:was
was:at
was:a
was:concert
was:with
was:some
was:female
was:leopard
was:cat…”
was:He
was:frowned. “I
was:forget
was:her
was:name,
was:but
was:I’m
was:pretty
was:sure
was:she
was:was
was:Russian…”
“Lydia
Kavina?”
was:the
was:parrot
was:asked.
“Yes,
that
was:was
was:it!”
was:said
was:LaShawn.
“Doesn’t
surprise
was:me,”
was:the
was:parrot
was:replied,
was:the
was:edges
was:of
was:his
was:beak
was:starting
was:to
was:curl
was:into
was:a
was:smile. “She’s
was:one
was:of
was:the
was:greats.”
was:He
was:patted
was:the
was:case. “As
was:for
was:me…
was:well,
was:it
was:happens
was:to
was:be
was:one
was:of
was:those
was:things
was:I
was:do.”
LaShawn
smiled. “So
was:you’re a
was:musician
was:too?”
was:he
was:asked.
The
parrot
was:frowned. “Too?”
was:he
was:asked.
was:He
was:blinked,
was:his
was:eyes
was:widening
was:in
was:surprise. “Wait,
was:don’t
was:tell
was:me…”
LaShawn
nodded. “I
was:am
was:in
was:fact
was:a
was:tenor,”
was:he
was:said.
The
parrot’s smile
was:was
was:rather
was:broad. “Wow!”
was:he
was:said. “I
was:happen
was:to
was:be
was:a
was:composer!
was:Wow,
was:this
was:is…
was:This
was:is
was:kinda
was:crazy…”
was:The
was:bird
was:chuckled
was:nervously. “Sorry,
was:I
was:didn’t
was:catch
was:your
was:name.”
“I
never
was:told
was:you,”
was:said
was:LaShawn. “But
was:if
was:you
was:want
was:to
was:know, it’s
was:LaShawn.”
The
parrot
was:stood
was:up,
was:holding
was:his
was:hand
was:out
was:to
was:the
was:older
was:bear. “Art,”
was:he
was:replied.
LaShawn
took
was:the
was:parrot’s
was:hand,
was:and
was:shook
was:it
was:rather
was:firmly. “So
was:what
was:brings
was:you
was:all
was:the
was:way
was:up
was:here?”
was:LaShawn
was:asked. “I
was:don’t
was:think
was:I’ve
was:ever
was:seen
was:a
was:parrot
was:around
was:here.”
“Yeah,
I
was:get
was:that
was:a
was:lot,”
was:Art
was:replied. “No,
was:I’m
was:here
was:for
was:school.
was:I’m
was:originally
was:from
was:Miami,
was:you
was:know?”
was:He
was:paused. “And
was:before
was:you
was:ask,
was:it’s
was:the
was:one
was:in
was:Florida.”
“I
figured,”
was:said
was:LaShawn. “You
was:don’t
was:hear
was:too
was:much
was:of
was:the
was:one
was:up here.”
“That
you
was:don’t,”
was:said
was:Art
was:with
was:a
was:smile.
was:He
was:then
was:glanced
was:at
was:the
was:bench
was:before
was:gesturing
was:to
was:it. “Please,
was:take
was:a
was:seat.”
LaShawn
nodded,
was:and
was:gratefully
was:took
was:a
was:seat.
----**----
They
had
was:walked
was:onto
was:the
was:train
was:together,
was:and
was:they
was:sat
was:there
was:talking
was:about
was:all
was:sorts
was:of
was:things.
was:Art
was:was
was:rather
was:interested
was:in
was:vocal
was:music,
was:even
was:as
was:a
was:string
was:player.
was:In
was:turn,
was:LaShawn
was:shared
was:some
was:of
was:his
was:own
was:exploits
was:as
was:a
was:tenor.
was:They
was:exchanged
was:contact
was:information,
was:but
was:LaShawn
was:had
was:to
was:get
was:off
was:the
was:train
first:first:
whereas
first:LaShawn
first:was
first:going
first:home
first:in
first:the
first:West
first:Side,
first:Art
first:was
first:going
first:all
first:the
first:way
first:to
first:the
first:airport
first:to
first:go
first:home
first:for
first:Thanksgiving.
first:Still,
first:Art
first:promised
first:to
first:call
first:by
first:the
first:end
first:of
first:the
first:week.
So
on
first:Saturday,
first:LaShawn
first:was
first:pleasantly
first:surprised
first:when
first:Art
first:did
first:in
first:fact
first:call back.
first:They
first:shot
first:the
first:shit
first:together,
first:talking
first:about
first:various
first:music-related
first:things.
first:The
first:promise
first:of
first:more
first:contact
first:was
first:left
first:up
first:in
first:the
first:air
first:when
first:the
first:call
first:ended,
first:but
first:it
first:was
first:LaShawn
first:who
first:would
first:call
first:again
first:in
first:December,
first:when
first:Art
first:had
first:gone
first:home
first:to
first:Miami
first:for
first:winter
first:break.
And
so,
first:Art
first:and
first:LaShawn
first:kept
first:up
first:a
first:correspondence
first:over
first:the
first:telephone.
first:LaShawn
first:thankfully
first:never
first:had
first:a
first:problem
first:contacting
him:him:
while
him:LaShawn
him:liked
him:to
him:be
him:old-fashioned
him:in
him:using
him:nothing
him:but
him:landline
him:telephone,
him:Art’s
him:smart phone
him:allowed
him:LaShawn
him:to
him:contact
him:him
him:anywhere—probably
him:the
him:only
him:time
him:he
him:was
him:thankful
him:for
him:knowing
him:someone
him:in
him:that
him:younger
him:generation.
him:They
him:spoke
him:quite
him:frequently,
him:updating
him:each
him:other
him:about
him:their
him:lives.
And
then,
him:LaShawn
him:brought
him:up
him:the
him:subject
him:of
him:Art
him:sending
him:a
him:score
him:of
him:his
him:in
him:at
him:some
him:point
him:that
him:April.
him:Art
him:was
him:more
him:than
him:eager
him:to
him:do
him:that,
him:and
him:before
him:the
him:week
him:was
him:out,
him:LaShawn
him:had
him:a
him:score
him:sitting
him:in
him:his
him:post office
him:box.
It
was
him:a
him:setting
him:of
him:Federico
him:Garcia
him:Lorca. And
him:it
him:was
him:quite
him:big
him:as
him:well…
By
then,
him:though,
him:LaShawn
him:was
him:not
him:bothered
him:by
him:the
him:memories
him:of
him:Tomás,
him:so
him:he
him:set
him:out
him:looking
him:at
him:the
him:score
him:in
him:earnest.
him:Of
him:course,
him:he
him:thought
him:that
him:one
him:quick
him:phone
him:call
him:to
him:Art
him:would
him:help
him:facilitate
him:things
him:quite
him:a
him:bit.
----**----
LaShawn
heard
him:the
him:phone
him:call
him:connect.
“Hello?”
the
him:now-familiar
him:parrot’s
him:voice
him:said
him:on
him:the
him:other
him:end.
“Well
hello,
him:Art,”
him:said
him:LaShawn. “How
him:are
him:you
him:doing
him:these
him:days?”
“Oh,
I’m
him:doing
him:well,”
him:he
him:said. “Hey,
him:did
him:you
him:get
him:the
him:score
him:I
him:sent
him:you?”
“I
did
him:indeed,”
him:said
him:LaShawn,
him:smiling
him:broadly
him:as
him:he
him:glanced
him:at
him:the
him:score
him:sitting
him:on
him:his
him:kitchen
him:table. “I’m
him:looking
him:over
him:it
him:now
him:with
him:an
him:old
him:friend
him:of
him:mine,
him:and
him:it
him:seems…
him:It
him:seems
him:a
him:little
him:hard,
him:doesn’t
him:it?”
“Well,
that’s
him:me
him:in
him:a
him:nutshell,”
him:Art
him:replied
him:with
him:a
him:chuckle. “Hard,
him:crazy,
him:and
him:very
him:chromatic.”
him:He
him:paused. “Well,
him:unless
him:it’s
him:that
him:long
him:stretch
him:in
him:the
him:second
him:movement.
him:Then
him:you’re
him:talking
him:less
him:chromatic
him:and
him:less
him:crazy.”
“I
guess
him:that’s
him:true,”
him:LaShawn
him:replied. “And
him:how
him:are
him:you?”
“Oh,
little
him:old
him:me?
him:I’m
him:getting
him:ready
him:to
him:play
him:opera
him:for
him:a
him:month
him:and
him:a
him:half
him:out
him:in
him:the
him:middle
him:of
him:nowhere,
him:basically,”
him:Art
him:replied.
“Really?”
asked
him:LaShawn.
“Yep,”
Art
him:replied. “It’s
him:this
him:little
him:outfit
him:out
him:in
him:the
him:Arkansas
him:Ozarks,
him:mostly
him:for
him:young
him:people,
him:you
him:know?
him:I
him:got
him:hired
him:to
him:do
him:a
him:pit job
him:there.”
“Well,
that’s
him:great,
him:Art,” LaShawn
him:said,
him:feeling
him:genuinely
him:happy
him:for
him:Art. “You
him:think
him:it’s
him:gonna
him:be
him:crazy
him:there?”
“Oh,
definitely,”
him:Art
him:replied. “Won’t
him:be
him:onstage
him:doing
him:anything
him:much,
him:but
him:hey.
him:Sometimes
him:it’s
him:fun
him:to
him:be
him:the
him:guy
him:behind
him:the
him:scenes,
him:y’know?”
“No,
I
him:don’t.” LaShawn
him:shrugged. “Though
him:it
him:makes
him:me
him:sad
him:all
him:those
him:people out there won’t
him:see
him:you
him:dance.”
“Haha,
true,”
him:said
him:Art. “But
him:then
him:again,
him:we’re
him:not
him:doing
him:any
him:Baroque
him:opera
him:out
him:there,
him:so
him:we
him:really
him:don’t
him:get
him:to
him:do
him:much
him:there,
him:you
him:know
him:what
him:I’m
him:saying?”
“That’s
a
him:shame,”
him:LaShawn
him:replied. “Especially
him:since
him:you
him:don’t
him:get
him:to
him:shake
him:your
him:booty
him:there.”
“Um…”
Art’s
him:tone
him:suddenly
him:took
him:a
him:sharp
him:turn. “Why
him:would
him:they
him:watch
him:me
him:shake
him:my
him:booty?”
“Well,
because
him:you’d
him:be
him:up
him:on
him:that
him:stage
him:dancin’
him:and
him:all
him:that!”
him:LaShawn
him:commented. “And
him:I’m
him:sure
him:you
him:love
him:showing
him:off
him:your
him:booty
him:while
him:dancin’
him:on
him:that
him:stage.”
There
was
him:a
him:brief
him:pause
him:in
him:the
him:conversation. “Uh…
him:sure,”
him:said
him:Art. “Yeah, I
him:kinda don’t…”
him:He
him:then
him:chuckled
him:awkwardly. “But
him:in
him:all
him:seriousness,
him:LaShawn,
him:it’s
him:a
him:viola-based
him:pit
him:job,
him:so
him:even
him:if
him:I
him:could…”
LaShawn
found
him:himself
him:glancing
him:down
him:at
him:the
him:ground
him:guiltily.
him:He had
him:overstepped
him:his
him:bounds,
him:he
him:knew
him:it.
him:He had
him:always
him:thought
him:that
him:Art
him:was
him:a
him:rather
him:attractive
him:parrot,
him:but
him:it
him:was
him:a
him:thought
him:he
him:never
him:dared
him:to
him:voice.
him:And
him:now,
him:Art
him:had
him:taken
him:it as such, LaShawn
him:was sure.
him:Maybe
him:Art
him:was
him:straight,
him:but
him:if
him:that
him:was
him:so
him:why
him:did
him:he
him:feel
him:that
him:Art
him:was
him:a
him:kindred
him:soul?
“Good,”
said
him:LaShawn. “Well,
him:I’m
him:glad
him:you’re
him:going
him:out
him:to
him:do
him:that.
The
conversation
him:continued
him:from
him:there,
him:but
him:there
him:was
him:an
him:awkwardness
him:to
him:the
him:rest
him:of
him:the
him:call
him:that
him:made
him:LaShawn
him:uncomfortable.
him:And
him:even
him:after
him:they
him:had
him:hung
him:up,
him:he
him:found
him:himself
him:feeling
him:uncomfortable
him:for
him:quite
him:some
him:time.
----**----
Several
weeks
him:later,
him:his
him:phone
him:rang.
him:LaShawn
him:sighed,
him:wondering
him:who
him:would
him:call
him:at
him:that
him:hour
him:of
him:the
him:night.
him:He
him:slowly
him:pulled
him:himself
him:out
him:of
him:bed,
him:dragging
him:himself
him:over
him:to
him:the
him:receiver
him:and
him:picking
him:up
him:the
him:phone.
him:He
him:shook
him:his
him:head,
him:rubbing
him:his
him:eyes.
“Hello?”
he
him:asked.
“Hey
LaShawn!”
Immediately,
LaShawn’s
him:eyebrows
him:perked
him:up. “Well,
him:Art!”
him:he
him:said,
him:feeling
him:quite
him:good
him:that
him:Art
him:had
him:not
him:wanted
him:to
him:break
him:things
him:off. “How
him:are
him:you
him:doin’?”
“Oh,
I’ve
him:been
him:really
him:busy,”
him:said
him:Art. “It’s
him:kinda
him:busy
him:out
him:here
him:in
him:the
him:middle
him:of
him:nowhere.
him:Nonstop
him:rehearsals,
him:all
him:that
him:jazz…”
him:He
him:chuckled. “Oh,
him:and
him:sorry
him:if
him:I
him:cut
him:out
him:of
him:the
him:conversation.
him:Cellphone
him:connection out
him:here
him:really,
him:really
him:sucks.
him:Strange
him:considering
him:that
him:there’s
him:a
him:small
him:touristy
him:town
him:nearby,
him:but
him:hey,
him:that’s
him:life,
him:you
him:know?”
“Yeah,”
said
him:LaShawn.
him:A
him:heavy
him:feeling
him:settled
him:in
him:his
him:gut,
him:and
him:a
him:question
him:rose
him:up
him:in
him:his
him:gut. “Hey,
him:Art,
him:I’ve
him:got
him:a
him:question
him:for
him:you.”
“What’s
up?”
him:Art
him:asked.
“Are…”
He
him:paused,
him:looking
him:down
him:at
him:the
him:ground. “Are
him:you
him:bisexual?”
There
was
him:a
him:pause
him:on
him:Art’s
him:end.
him:LaShawn’s
him:heart
him:raced during
him:the
him:pause,
him:a knot
him:forming
him:in
him:his
him:gut. “Um…
him:why
him:do
him:you
him:ask?”
him:Art
him:asked,
him:his
him:voice
him:sounding
him:confused.
“Well,
I…”
him:LaShawn
him:gulped,
him:already
him:fearing
him:the
him:shout-down
him:that
him:was
him:yet
him:to
him:come. “The
him:last
him:time
him:we
him:talked,
him:I
him:talked
him:about
him:you
him:shaking
him:your
him:booty
him:in
him:front
him:of
him:a
him:whole
him:crowd
him:of
him:people,
him:and…
him:Well,
him:the
him:way
him:you
him:responded,
him:I
him:thought
him:it
him:made
him:you
him:a
him:little
him:uncomfortable.
him:I
him:wanted
him:to
him:make
him:sure
him:you
him:weren’t
him:offended
him:by—”
“Wait,
that’s
him:what
him:this
him:is
him:all
him:about?”
him:Art
him:asked.
“Um…
yes…”
him:LaShawn
him:said.
Art
laughed
him:on
him:the
him:other
him:end. “Oh
him:my
him:God!”
him:He
him:laughed
him:a
him:little
him:longer,
him:and
him:LaShawn
him:could
him:imagine
him:him
him:shaking
him:his
him:head. “No,
him:no,
him:no,
him:that’s
him:not
him:what
him:the
him:issue
him:is
him:at
him:all!”
“It
isn’t?”
him:LaShawn
him:asked,
him:furrowing
him:his
him:brows
him:in
him:confusion.
“No,”
said
him:Art. “See,
him:the
him:problem
him:is
him:that
him:you
him:don’t ‘shake
him:your
him:booty’
him:in
him:Baroque
him:dance.
him:No,
him:Baroque
him:dance is
him:more
him:of
him:a
him:choreographed
him:thing,
him:with
him:rather
him:basic
him:movements,
him:none
him:of
him:which
him:involve
him:presenting
him:your
him:ass
him:to
him:anyone.
him:They
him:did
him:that
him:stuff
him:in
him:court,
him:you
him:know;
him:I’m
him:pretty
him:sure
him:it
him:would’ve
him:been
him:in
him:very
him:poor
him:taste
him:to ‘shake
him:your
him:booty’
him:in
him:front
him:of
him:the
him:king,
him:you
him:know
him:what
him:I’m
him:saying?”
LaShawn’s
eyes
him:widened. “Oh.
him:Oh!”
him:The
him:old
him:bear
him:burst
him:out
him:laughing,
him:feeling
him:a
him:wave
him:of
him:relief
him:wash
him:over
him:him. “You
him:know,
him:I
him:don’t
him:think
him:I
him:ever
him:knew
him:that.”
“Well,
you
him:do
him:now,”
him:Art
him:replied
him:jovially. “And
him:knowing
him:is
him:half
him:the
him:battle,
him:as
him:they
him:say.”
“I
guess
him:it
him:is,”
him:said
him:LaShawn. “Imagine
him:that,
him:it
him:was
him:all
him:a
him:semantics
him:issue.”
“Yep,”
said
him:Art. “But…
him:well…”
him:He
him:then
him:chuckled
him:nervously. “Since
him:you
him:asked,
him:well…
him:I…”
him:He
him:paused
him:for
him:a
him:few
him:seconds,
him:LaShawn
him:listening
him:intently. “I’m…
him:pretty
him:sure
him:I’m
him:gay,
him:actually.”
LaShawn
rose his
him:eyebrows,
him:leaning
him:towards
him:the
him:receiver. “Oh.
him:I
him:see.”
him:He
him:looked
him:down,
him:the
him:bird’s
him:vibrant
him:green
him:feathers
him:and
him:his
him:dark
him:brown
him:eyes
him:coming
him:into
him:his
him:mind. “I
him:just
him:wanted
him:to
him:make
him:sure
him:I
him:didn’t
him:offend
him:you.”
“No
no,
him:it’s
him:fine,”
him:said
him:Art. “I
him:totally
him:get
him:that.”
And
then,
him:they
him:both
him:paused,
him:a
him:strangely
him:comfortable
him:silence
him:filling
him:between
him:them.
him:LaShawn
him:had
him:not
him:said
him:anything
him:about
him:Tomás
him:to
him:Art,
him:and
him:that
him:was
him:something
him:he
him:planned
him:to
him:maintain
him:as
him:long
him:as
him:possible.
him:But
him:that
him:said,
him:he
him:noticed
him:that
him:the
him:young
him:parrot
him:had
him:still
him:wanted
him:to
him:talk
him:to
him:him
him:even
him:with
him:the
him:somewhat
him:awkward ‘shake
him:your
him:booty’
him:moment.
Maybe…
Was
him:Art
him:truly…?
LaShawn
took
him:a
him:deep
him:breath
him:in. “Listen,
him:Art,”
him:he
him:said. “I
him:wanted
him:to
him:show
him:you
him:some
him:of
him:my
him:singing…”
him:He
him:looked
him:over
him:at
him:his
him:old
him:tape
him:player. “When
him:are
him:you
him:going
him:to
him:be
him:back
him:in
him:Cleveland?”
“Oh,
I’m
him:going to
him:be
him:back
him:for
him:a
him:weekend
him:near
him:the
him:end
him:of
him:July,”
him:he
him:replied. “I’m
him:only
him:going
him:to
him:be
him:in
him:for
him:a
him:day,
him:though,
him:but
him:I
him:don’t
him:have
him:anything
him:planned
him:for
him:that…”
“Good,”
he
him:said. “I am
him:in
him:fact
him:free
him:on
him:most
him:Saturdays.”
“Oh,
okay
him:then,” said Art. “I
him:can
him:probably
him:come
him:in
him:then,
him:and…
him:well,
him:we
him:can
him:listen
him:to
him:stuff…”
LaShawn
nodded. “Good,”
him:he
him:said. “Then
him:give
him:me
him:a
him:call
him:when
him:you’re
him:back
him:in
him:Cleveland,
him:and
him:I’ll
him:tell
him:you
him:how
him:to
him:get
him:to
him:my
him:house.”
“Sure
thing,
him:LaShawn,”
him:said
him:Art.
him:LaShawn
him:heard
him:some
him:voices
him:from
him:off-phone,
him:and
him:then
him:a
him:few
him:responses
him:from
him:Art. “Listen,
him:I
him:have
him:to
him:go.
him:Some
him:of
him:my
him:friends
him:are
him:heading
him:out
him:for
him:drinks
him:in
him:town,
him:and
him:I
him:don’t
him:want to
him:be
him:left
him:behind.”
“All
right,”
him:said
him:LaShawn. “You
him:take
him:care of
him:yourself, Art.”
“You too, LaShawn,” said Art.
And
with
him:this,
him:the
him:phone
him:call
him:came
him:to
him:an
him:end.
*
The
wait
him:for
him:that
him:late
him:July
him:weekend
him:could
him:not
him:have
him:been
him:more
him:agonizing
him:for
him:LaShawn.
him:Thoughts
him:had
him:begun
him:to
him:flurry
him:in
him:and
him:out
him:of
him:LaShawn’s
him:mind,
him:and
him:not
him:all
him:of
him:them
him:were
him:savory.
He
had
him:to
him:admit
him:to
him:himself
him:that
him:he
him:found
him:Art
him:to
him:be
him:a
him:very
him:attractive
him:parrot,
him:and
him:in
him:more
him:than
him:just
him:the
him:fact
him:that
him:he
him:seemed
him:in
him:good
him:physical
him:health.
him:But
him:LaShawn
him:agonized
him:over
him:whether
him:it
him:was
him:right
him:to
him:feel
him:the
him:way
him:he
him:felt
him:about
him:Art.
him:After
him:all,
him:Art
him:was
him:just
him:over
him:a
him:third
him:his
age:age:
he
age:was
age:at
age:least
age:above
age:drinking
age:age,
age:but
age:LaShawn
age:wondered
age:if
age:he
age:was
age:taking
age:advantage
age:of
age:Art’s
age:youth
age:in
age:any
age:way.
age:LaShawn
age:hoped
age:this
age:was
age:not
age:the
age:case,
age:but
age:that
age:doubt
age:nagged
age:at
age:the
age:back
age:of
age:his
age:mind
age:incessantly.
It
caused
age:a
age:few
age:restless
age:nights,
age:actually,
age:and
age:every
age:time
age:he
age:did
age:he
age:sported
age:both
age:a raging
age:hard-on
age:and
age:a
age:feeling
age:of
age:extreme
age:guilt.
And
part
age:of
age:that,
age:LaShawn
age:knew,
age:would
age:be
age:resolved
age:at
age:this
age:meeting.
age:Art
age:was
age:coming,
age:he
age:had
age:confirmed
age:that
age:much,
age:but
age:if
age:Art
age:was
age:willing
age:to
age:go
age:all
age:the
age:way
age:with
age:LaShawn
age:the
age:bear
age:would
age:have
age:his
age:answer.
age:Part of him
age:told
age:LaShawn not
age:to
worry:worry:
Art
worry:had
worry:taken
worry:a
worry:more
worry:friendly
worry:tone
worry:over
worry:the
worry:previous
worry:conversations,
worry:and
worry:the
worry:way
worry:he
worry:admitted
worry:to
worry:his
worry:homosexuality
worry:and
worry:disregarded
worry:what
worry:LaShawn
worry:saw
worry:as
worry:an
worry:indirect
worry:admission
worry:of
worry:his
worry:own
worry:bisexuality...
Nevertheless
he
worry:would
worry:have
worry:an
worry:answer.
Finally,
the
worry:day
worry:came.
*
LaShawn
stepped
worry:out
worry:of
worry:his
worry:apartment
worry:building
worry:to
worry:see
worry:Art
worry:on
worry:the
worry:other
worry:side
worry:of
worry:the
worry:street,
worry:the
worry:parrot
worry:looking
worry:extremely
worry:confused.
“Art!”
LaShawn
worry:shouted.
The
parrot
worry:turned
worry:to
worry:the
worry:bear
worry:where
worry:he
worry:stood,
worry:smiling
worry:as
worry:he
worry:shrugged.
worry:LaShawn
worry:noticed
worry:he
worry:had
worry:the
worry:same
worry:backpack
worry:with
worry:him
worry:as
worry:before,
worry:but that
worry:he
worry:was
worry:dressed
worry:in
worry:long
worry:slacks
worry:and
worry:a
worry:grey
worry:T-shirt. “Sorry!”
worry:he
worry:shouted
worry:from
worry:across
worry:the
worry:street. “I
worry:got
worry:confused!
worry:Let
worry:me
worry:get
worry:over
worry:there!”
As
soon
worry:as
worry:he
worry:said
worry:this,
worry:Art
worry:had
worry:his
worry:opportunity.
worry:He
worry:rushed
worry:across
worry:the
worry:street,
worry:running
worry:straight
worry:up
worry:to
worry:LaShawn
worry:and
worry:giving
worry:a
worry:sigh
worry:of
worry:relief. “Well,
worry:that
worry:was
worry:a
worry:long
worry:ride,”
worry:he
worry:said.
“Well,
Art, I am
worry:glad
worry:to
worry:see
worry:you,”
worry:said
worry:LaShawn.
“Yeah,
me
worry:too,”
worry:said
worry:Art.
worry:He
worry:offered
worry:a
worry:broad
worry:smile,
worry:but
worry:made
worry:no
worry:move
worry:towards
worry:LaShawn. “I
worry:made
worry:good
worry:friends
worry:out
worry:in
worry:Arkansas,
worry:but
worry:sometimes
worry:you
worry:need
worry:home,
worry:you
worry:know?”
“I
certainly
worry:know
worry:that
worry:feeling,”
worry:said
worry:LaShawn.
worry:He
worry:then
worry:nodded. “Come
worry:on
worry:in,
worry:I
worry:have
worry:lunch
worry:sitting
worry:on
worry:the
worry:stove.”
And
so, LaShawn
worry:led
worry:Art
worry:into
worry:his
worry:rather
worry:small
worry:apartment.
worry:Art
worry:took
worry:one
worry:look
worry:inside,
worry:pausing
worry:at
worry:the
worry:doorway
worry:as
worry:he
worry:took
worry:his
worry:shoes
worry:off.
“Whoah…”
said
worry:Art. “This
worry:apartment
worry:looks
worry:very
worry:stuffed…”
“You
could
worry:say
worry:that,”
worry:said
worry:LaShawn. “These
worry:are
worry:all
worry:things
worry:I’ve
worry:kept
worry:over
worry:the
worry:years…”
“Including
porcelain
worry:dolls…”
worry:Art
worry:indicated
worry:an
worry:armoire
worry:with a
worry:few
worry:porcelain
worry:dolls
worry:on
worry:it. “Did
worry:these
worry:belong
worry:to
worry:someone?”
“My
mother,”
worry:he
worry:said. “I
worry:just
worry:like
worry:to
worry:keep
worry:them
worry:all
worry:nice
worry:and
worry:restored.
worry:I’ve
worry:got
worry:many
worry:fond
worry:memories
worry:of
worry:her.”
Art
nodded,
worry:giving
worry:him
worry:a
worry:smile. “It’s
worry:kind
worry:of
worry:sweet
worry:when
worry:you
worry:put
worry:it
worry:that
worry:way,”
worry:he
worry:said.
worry:Something
worry:in
worry:Art’s
worry:tone
worry:indicated
worry:that
worry:he
worry:did
worry:not
worry:entirely
worry:believe
worry:him,
worry:but
worry:LaShawn
worry:brushed
worry:it
worry:off. “But
worry:yeah,
worry:that
worry:sounds
worry:a
worry:little
worry:crazy.”
worry:He
worry:then
worry:stepped
worry:further
worry:into
worry:the
worry:apartment,
worry:depositing
worry:his
worry:bookbag
worry:in
worry:a
worry:small
worry:room
worry:off
worry:to
worry:the
worry:side. “So,
worry:you
worry:did
worry:say
worry:you
worry:had
worry:something
worry:you
worry:wanted
worry:me
worry:to
worry:listen
worry:to?”
“Yes
indeed,”
worry:said
worry:LaShawn,
worry:grabbing
worry:a
worry:plate
worry:in
worry:the
worry:kitchen
worry:and
worry:filling
worry:it
worry:with
worry:food. “I
worry:hope
worry:you’re
worry:hungry,
worry:man,
worry:because
worry:I’ve
worry:got
worry:a
worry:lot
worry:of
worry:food
worry:here.”
Art
chuckled,
worry:stepping
worry:into
worry:the
worry:kitchen. “Oh,
worry:believe
worry:me,
worry:I’m
worry:hungry,”
worry:he
worry:said. “I
worry:hope
worry:you
worry:can
worry:keep
worry:up.”
LaShawn
played
worry:him
worry:a
worry:few
worry:jazz
worry:excerpts
worry:once
worry:the
worry:food
worry:was
worry:digesting
worry:in
worry:their
worry:stomachs.
worry:There
worry:were
worry:also
worry:a
worry:few
worry:of
worry:LaShawn
worry:singing
worry:some
worry:classical
worry:art
worry:songs,
worry:and
worry:those
worry:were
worry:the
worry:ones
worry:Art
worry:seemed
worry:especially
worry:interested
worry:in.
worry:LaShawn
worry:supposed
worry:he
worry:could
worry:not
worry:blame
him:him:
after
him:all,
him:the
him:setting
him:of
him:the
him:Lorca
him:had
him:an
him:extremely
him:heavy
him:bent
him:in
him:that
him:direction,
him:and
him:with
him:chorus
him:and
him:orchestra
him:no
him:less.
And
at
him:the
him:end
him:of
him:it
him:all,
him:Art and
him:LaShawn
him:found
him:themselves
him:sitting
him:back
him:around
him:where
him:Art
him:had
him:deposited
him:his
him:bookbag,
him:just
him:talking
him:away
him:about
him:everything.
“So
then
him:the
him:orchestra
him:got
him:more
him:involved
him:in
him:that
him:performance,
him:right?”
him:Art
him:asked. “We
him:were
him:getting
him:rowdy
him:along
him:with
him:the
him:performers,
him:and
him:we
him:were
him:just
him:having
him:a
him:great
him:time.”
him:He
him:smiled,
him:glancing
him:behind
him:him. “And
him:then
him:we
him:got
him:to
him:the
him:final
him:chorus.
him:You
him:know
him:the show,
him:right?”
“I
do,”
him:LaShawn
him:replied. “I
him:think
him:there
him:was
him:that
him:line… ‘he
him:thought
him:he
him:heard
him:a
him:noise’?”
“Yep,”
said
him:Art. “In
him:there,
him:we
him:had
him:the
him:chorus
him:sing
him:this
him:A,
him:right?
him:So
him:on
him:the
him:final
him:night,
him:I
him:randomly
him:had
him:the
him:idea
him:to
him:join
him:in
him:on
him:that.”
“And
what
him:did
him:you
him:do
him:there?”
him:asked LaShawn.
“I
belted
him:the
him:highest
him:A
him:I
him:could
him:summon,”
him:Art
him:replied. “It
him:was
him:an
him:octave
him:above
him:the
him:tenors
him:in
him:the
him:chorus.
him:No
him:joke,
him:it
him:apparently
him:projected
him:over
him:everybody
him:on-stage.”
him:Art
him:chuckled. “One
him:of
him:my
him:friends
him:in
him:the
him:orchestra
him:pit
him:called
him:it
him:my
him:Steven
him:Tyler
him:impression.”
LaShawn
laughed
him:rather
him:loudly. “Oh,
him:man,
him:that
him:is
him:good!”
him:said
him:LaShawn
him:jovially,
him:leaning
him:towards
him:the
him:parrot
him:as
him:the
him:parrot
him:laughed.
“Yeah,
it
him:is,”
him:said
him:Art. “I
him:still
him:got
him:some
him:shit
him:for
him:it,
him:but
him:hey,
him:I’m
him:not
him:gonna
him:let
him:some
him:guys
him:rain
him:on
him:my
him:parade,
him:you
him:know?”
“Oh,
I
him:certainly
him:do,”
him:said
him:LaShawn.
“Yep.”
Art
him:paused,
him:and
him:then
him:he
him:visibly
him:swallowed.
him:His
him:smile
him:slowly
him:fell
him:away,
him:and
him:then
him:LaShawn
him:noticed
him:a
him:rather
him:large
him:transition
him:in
him:his
him:demeanor.
him:LaShawn
him:looked
him:at
him:the
him:young
him:parrot,
him:noticing
him:the
him:way
him:their
him:legs
him:were
him:now
him:touching.
him:Art’s
him:mouth
him:opened
him:as
him:if
him:to
him:ask
him:something,
him:and
him:LaShawn
him:could
him:see the
him:bird’s
him:gaze
him:turn
him:to
him:the
him:floor
him:for
him:a
him:second
him:or
him:two.
When
Art
him:looked
him:up,
him:his
him:hands
him:had
him:clenched
him:into
him:a
him:fist. “LaShawn…
him:Can
him:I
him:ask
him:you
him:something?”
The
bear
him:stiffened,
him:looking
him:at
him:the
him:young
him:parrot. “Yes?”
him:LaShawn
him:asked,
him:inwardly
him:bracing
him:for
him:the
him:worst.
The
bird
him:breathed
him:in,
him:the
him:breath
him:noticeably
him:more
him:labored
him:than
him:all
him:the
him:ones
him:before
him:it. “Can
him:I…”
him:He
him:looked
him:LaShawn
him:directly
him:in
him:the
him:eye. “Can
him:I
him:sit
him:on
him:your
him:lap…?”
LaShawn
blinked
him:for
him:a
him:second.
him:Whatever
him:shock
him:he
him:felt
him:at
him:the
him:question
him:quickly
him:ebbed
him:away,
him:though,
him:especially
him:when
him:he
him:looked
him:at
him:the
him:way
him:the
him:avian’s
him:eyes
him:seemed
him:to
him:sparkle
him:in
him:anticipation,
him:and
him:in…
him:desire?
LaShawn
smiled
him:warmly. “Well,
him:why
him:didn’t
him:you
him:say
him:so
him:earlier?”
him:he
him:asked. “Of
him:course
him:you
him:can!”
Art
smiled
him:in
him:turn,
him:his
him:smile
him:more
him:nervous in
him:nature.
him:Art
him:quickly
him:stood
him:up,
him:only
him:to
him:position
him:himself
him:on
him:LaShawn’s
him:lap
him:a
him:second
him:later.
him:The
him:bear’s
him:left
him:arm
him:situated
him:itself
him:behind
him:Art’s
him:back,
him:and
him:then
him:LaShawn
him:pulled
him:the
him:parrot
him:close.
“Yeah,
this
him:is…”
him:Art
him:chuckled
him:nervously.
“More
comfortable?”
him:LaShawn
him:asked,
him:patting
him:Art’s
him:chest.
“Yeah,”
said
him:Art.
him:It
him:was
him:then
him:that
him:LaShawn
him:saw
him:a
him:blush
him:blossom
him:across
him:Art’s
him:cheeks. “Yeah,
him:it’s
him:more…”
Art
hesitated,
him:LaShawn’s
him:hand
him:trailing
him:lower.
him:Neither
him:party
him:said
him:anything,
him:Art
him:gazing
him:intently
him:into LaShawn’s
him:eyes
him:as
him:he
him:gingerly
him:placed
him:a
him:hand
him:onto
him:LaShawn’s
him:chest.
LaShawn then
leaned
him:forward,
him:experimentally
him:dragging
him:his
him:tongue
him:across
him:the
him:feathers
him:of
him:Art’s
him:cheek.
him:LaShawn’s
him:heart
him:stopped
him:for
him:a
him:second,
him:hoping
him:Art
him:would
him:not
him:jump
him:out
him:in
him:fear.
him:He
him:knew
him:people
him:half
him:his
him:age
him:would
him:possibly
him:freak
him:out
him:about
him:things
him:like
him:that.
And
yet,
him:Art
him:remained,
him:his
him:eyes
him:slightly
him:widened
him:in
him:anticipation.
him:Tellingly,
him:he
him:did
him:not
him:pull
him:his
him:cheek
him:away.
him:Embolded
him:by
him:this,
him:LaShawn
him:pulled
him:Art
him:closer,
him:one
him:of
him:his
him:hands
him:resting
him:squarely
him:on
him:the
him:parrot’s
him:butt
him:as
him:he
him:licked
him:the
him:bird’s
him:neck
him:a
him:second
him:time,
him:and
him:then
him:a
him:third
him:time.
Art
turned
him:his
him:head
him:towards
him:LaShawn
him:as
him:he
him:went
him:in
him:for
him:the
him:fourth
him:lick.
him:LaShawn
him:noticed
him:that
him:Art’s beak
him:had
him:opened,
him:and
him:before
him:LaShawn
him:could
him:do
him:much
him:else,
him:Art
him:had
him:dragged his
him:tongue
him:against
him:LaShawn’s.
And
then,
him:LaShawn and
him:Art
him:both
him:closed
him:their
him:eyes
him:as
him:they
him:leaned
him:forward
him:and
him:shared
him:a
him:passionate
him:kiss.
him:The
him:parrot’s
him:hands
him:roamed
him:across
him:LaShawn’s
him:body,
him:and
him:after
him:a
him:while
him:the
him:parrot
him:shifted
him:positions
him:so
him:that
him:he
him:straddled
him:the
him:bear’s
him:lap.
him:All
him:the
him:while,
him:LaShawn
him:and
him:Art
him:kissed,
him:never
him:breaking
him:that
him:intimate
him:form
him:of
him:contact.
And
as
him:they
him:kissed,
him:relief
him:washed
him:through
him:LaShawn.
him:Art
him:was
him:an
him:intelligent
him:man,
him:after
him:all,
him:and
him:he
him:was
him:certainly
him:interested.
him:And
him:with
him:this
him:interest,
him:he
him:realized
him:that
him:he
him:was
him:not
him:taking
him:advantage
him:of
him:Art’s youth.
They
broke
him:the
him:kiss
him:after
him:a
him:while,
him:the
him:two
him:of
him:them
him:blushing.
“Well,”
said
him:LaShawn. “I
him:was
him:told
him:parrots
him:had
him:good
him:tongues,
him:but
him:that…”
“Yeah,”
said
him:Art,
him:giving
him:another
him:of
him:his
him:trademark
him:nervous
him:chuckles. “I, uh…”
LaShawn’s
smile
him:was
him:warm
him:and
him:inviting
him:as
him:he
him:undid
him:the
him:parrot’s crotch,
him:letting
him:his
him:swelling
him:erection
him:breathe.
“Here,
let
him:me
him:help
him:with
him:that,”
him:LaShawn
him:said,
him:caressing
him:the
him:parrot’s
him:length
him:as
him:he
him:went
him:in
him:for
him:another
him:kiss.
*
Everything
after
him:that
him:was
him:warmth,
him:pleasure,
him:and
him:tightness.
him:LaShawn
him:had
him:taken
him:Art
him:all
him:over
him:the
him:apartment,
him:first
him:laying
him:him
him:on
him:the
him:bed
him:and
him:then
him:finally
him:letting
him:their
him:passions
him:reach
him:a
him:fevered
him:pitch
him:over
him:the
him:kitchen
him:floor.
him:Feathers
him:felt
him:very
him:different
him:against
him:the
him:pads
him:of
him:LaShawn’s
him:paws,
him:but
him:it
him:was
him:a
him:difference
him:he
him:got
him:used
him:to
him:fast.
Art
had
him:been
him:every
him:bit
him:as
him:enthusiastic
him:as
him:LaShawn,
him:if
him:his
him:tongue
him:pressing
him:against
him:the
him:bear’s
him:had
him:been
him:any
him:indication.
Art
had
him:needed
him:to
him:leave
him:soon
after:after:
he
after:was
after:concerned
after:about
after:the
after:bus
after:schedule,
after:something
after:he
after:had
after:made
after:clear
after:before
after:his
after:visit.
after:With
after:a
after:slight
after:wobble
after:in
after:his
after:step,
after:LaShawn
after:had
after:seen
after:him
after:downstairs
after:and to
after:the
after:bus stop.
after:Art
after:left
after:him
after:with
after:a
after:smile,
after:though
after:LaShawn
after:could
after:have
after:sworn
after:that
after:his
after:hand
after:trembled
after:slightly
after:when
after:they
after:shook
after:hands.
LaShawn
would
after:not
after:see
after:Art
after:in
after:person
after:again
after:for
after:some
after:time,
after:though
after:the
after:phone
after:correspondence
after:continued
after:on
after:unabated.
after:The
after:next
after:time
after:they
after:saw
after:each
after:other
after:was
after:not
after:until
after:November,
after:and
after:that
after:was
after:when
after:LaShawn
after:was
after:able
after:to
after:confirm
after:that
after:no,
after:they
after:did
after:not
after:in
after:fact ‘shake
after:their
after:booties’
after:in
after:Baroque
after:dance.
The
months
after:passed
after:on
after:with
after:no
after:physical
after:contact
after:from
after:the
after:other.
after:LaShawn
after:had
after:begun
after:to
after:wonder
after:if
after:it
after:was
after:just
after:a
after:one-time
after:thing
after:between
after:them,
after:and
after:the
after:thought
after:began
after:to
after:plague
after:him
after:with
after:some
after:guilt.
And
then
after:the
after:parrot had
after:invited
after:LaShawn
after:over
after:to
after:his
after:place.
after:He
after:said
after:he
after:had
after:a
after:chamber
after:opera
after:performance
after:he
after:wanted
after:to
after:show
after:LaShawn.
after:It
after:had
after:been
after:on
after:his
after:graduate
after:recital,
after:an
after:event
after:Art
after:had
after:wanted
after:to
after:invite
after:LaShawn
after:too
after:but
after:was
after:simply
after:too
after:busy
after:to
after:be
after:able
after:to
after:place
after:the
after:call
after:for.
LaShawn,
of
after:course,
after:said
after:yes.
after:After
after:all,
after:it
after:would
after:be
after:a
after:chance
after:to
after:see
after:the
after:parrot
after:again…
----**----
…and
to
after:feel
after:him,
after:as
after:LaShawn
after:expected.
Art
had
after:fed
after:LaShawn
after:first,
after:and
after:once
after:lunch
after:was
after:eaten
after:they
after:talked
after:a
after:little
after:bit.
after:The
after:parrot
after:did
after:indeed
after:have
after:a
after:chamber
after:opera
after:to
after:show
after:to
after:LaShawn,
after:and
after:so
after:the
after:two
after:of
after:them
after:sat
after:at
after:the
after:desk
after:on
after:which
after:Art’s
after:laptop
after:sat.
after:Of
after:course,
after:there
after:was
after:only
after:one
after:chair
after:low
after:enough
after:for
after:them
after:both
after:to
after:sit
after:at,
after:so
after:Art
after:was
after:the
after:one
after:who
after:suggested
after:that
after:they
after:both
after:sit
after:there,
after:with Art on LaShawn’s lap.
LaShawn did not protest.
After
after:all,
after:it
after:offered
after:them
after:a
after:chance
after:to
after:be
after:close
after:to
after:each
after:other.
And
once
after:the
after:opera
after:concluded,
after:LaShawn
after:had
after:Art
after:pinned
after:under
after:him
after:on
after:the
after:bed,
after:the
after:parrot
after:moaning
after:out
after:his
after:name
after:in
after:hushed,
after:musical
after:tones
after:as
after:the
after:bear
after:pressed
after:deep
after:inside.
after:It
after:was
after:only
after:the
after:second
after:time,
after:but
after:this
after:time
after:felt
after:far
after:more
after:intimate
after:than
after:the
after:first
after:somehow.
after:LaShawn
after:guessed
after:that
after:Art
after:had
after:managed
after:to
after:gain
after:some
after:experience
after:somewhere,
after:but
after:the
after:parrot
after:stayed
after:mum
after:on that front,
after:and LaShawn
after:did
after:not
after:press.
after:But
after:it
after:was
after:good,
after:so
after:much
after:better
after:than
after:the
after:last
after:time.
after:And
after:when
after:they
after:had
after:cuddled
after:in
after:the
after:afterglow,
after:Art
after:looked
after:serene
after:in
after:a
after:way
after:that
after:LaShawn
after:had
after:rarely
after:seen
after:the
after:animated
after:parrot
after:look.
They
stayed
after:together
after:for
after:most
after:of
after:the
after:rest
after:of
after:the
after:day,
after:remaining
after:somewhat
after:in
after:the
after:nude.
after:And
after:when
after:the
after:time
after:came
after:for
after:LaShawn
after:to
after:leave,
after:both
after:of
after:them
after:were
after:very
after:happy.
And
then
after:Art
after:found
after:himself
after:looking
after:at
after:the
after:ground
after:right
after:at
after:his
after:door.
after:LaShawn
after:picked
after:up
after:on
after:this,
after:looking
after:at
after:the
after:young
after:parrot
after:with
after:some
after:amount
after:of
after:pity.
“Art?”
he
after:asked. “Is
after:something
after:wrong?”
Art
nodded,
after:looking
after:up
after:at
after:LaShawn. “I…
after:I
after:should’ve
after:mentioned
after:this
after:earlier,
after:but…”
after:He sighed,
after:glancing
after:to
after:the
after:side. “I’m
after:going
after:to
after:be
after:leaving
after:Cleveland
after:soon.”
LaShawn’s
eyes
after:widened. “You’re
after:leaving?”
after:he
after:asked,
after:thoughts
after:of
after:a
after:marten
after:he
after:thought
after:long-abandoned
after:flashing
after:through
after:his
after:brain
after:again.
“Yeah,”
he
after:said.
after:He
after:sighed. “I… I’m
after:continuing
after:school.”
LaShawn
nodded. “I
after:see…”
after:He
after:paused,
after:glancing
after:out
after:the
after:window
after:before
after:turning
after:back
after:to
after:the
after:parrot. “When,
after:and
after:where?”
“I
move
after:out
after:in
after:two
after:weeks,”
after:said
after:Art. “And
after:I’m
after:going
after:to
after:Cincinnati.”
after:He
after:nodded,
after:his
after:gaze
after:averted
after:from
after:LaShawn
after:in
after:shame. “I’m
after:sorry
after:to
after:spring
after:this
after:on
after:you
after:so
after:suddenly,
after:but—”
“No,
don’t
after:be,”
after:said
after:LaShawn,
after:his
after:hand
after:gently
after:caressing
after:Art’s
after:cheek.
after:Art
after:looked
after:up,
after:looking
after:hopeful. “Thank
after:you
after:for
after:telling me.”
Art smiled
softly. “Y-yes… Of
after:course...”
LaShawn
simply
after:pulled
after:Art
after:into
after:a
after:hug,
after:the
after:parrot
after:easing
after:into
after:it. “Hey,”
after:said
after:the
after:bear. “I
after:can
after:come
after:around
after:next
after:week
after:if
after:you
after:want.
after:I
after:can
after:send
after:you
after:off
after:then.”
“I…
Yeah.”
after:Art
after:leaned
after:against
after:LaShawn. “I’d
after:like
after:that.”
Art
gave
after:LaShawn an
after:affectionate
after:lick
after:on
after:the
after:cheek
after:as
after:he
after:pulled
after:back,
after:and
after:then
after:the
after:two
after:men
after:looked
after:at
after:each
after:other. “Well…
after:I
after:guess
after:I
after:can
after:see
after:you
after:next
after:week,
after:then,”
after:said
after:LaShawn.
“Yeah,”
said
after:Art. “See
after:you
after:next
after:week…”
----**----
The
third
after:and
after:final
after:time
after:they
after:mated
after:was
after:perhaps
after:the
after:most
after:intimate
after:of
after:all.
after:LaShawn’s
after:thrusts
after:had
after:maintained
after:a
after:slow,
after:gentle
after:quality
after:that
after:ensured
after:the
after:parrot’s moans
after:did
after:not
after:sound
after:above
after:a
after:whisper.
after:The
after:whole
after:time,
after:too,
after:the
after:parrot
after:held
after:LaShawn
after:close,
after:pressing
after:his
after:cheek
after:to
after:the
after:bear’s
after:as
after:both
after:closed
after:their
after:eyes
after:and
after:let
after:their
after:hands
after:and
after:paws
after:roam
after:over
after:each
after:other’s
after:bodies.
When
they
after:cuddled
after:in
after:the
after:afterglow,
after:the
after:initial
after:silence
after:let
after:them
after:bask.
after:The
after:bird
after:was
after:nestled
after:comfortably
after:against
after:LaShawn’s
after:chest,
after:his
after:fingers
after:idly
after:playing
after:with
after:the
after:bear’s
after:fur.
after:LaShawn
after:simply
after:ran
after:his
after:hand
after:through
after:the
after:bird’s
after:feathers,
after:their
after:legs
after:intertwining
after:as
after:they
after:both
after:let
after:the
after:fact
after:this
after:was
after:their
after:last
after:time
after:sink
after:in.
Finally,
Art
after:took
after:a
after:deep
after:breath. “You
after:know…
after:You
after:were actually my first,”
after:he
after:said.
LaShawn’s
eyes
after:widened,
after:and
after:he
after:looked
after:down
after:at
after:the
after:bird. “Really?”
after:he
after:asked.
“Yeah,”
Art
after:replied,
after:his
after:eyes
after:still
after:closed
after:as
after:he
after:pulled
after:himself
after:closer. “I’ve
after:been
after:single
after:my
after:whole
after:life
after:so
after:far,
after:and
after:I
after:never
after:had
after:an
after:opportunity
after:to
after:try
after:anything.
after:So
after:you…”
“I
see…”
after:LaShawn said.
after:He
after:felt
after:his
after:throat
after:tighten,
after:a
after:brief
after:moment
after:of
after:doubt
after:entering
after:his
after:awareness. “I… I’m
after:sorry.”
“Don’t
be.”
after:Art’s
after:eyes
after:opened,
after:and
after:when
after:he
after:turned
after:to
after:look
after:at
after:LaShawn
after:there
after:was
after:a
after:sparkle
after:to
after:them
after:that the
after:bear
after:had
after:never
after:seen
after:before. “You
after:never
after:took
after:advantage
after:of
after:anything.
after:I’m…
after:I’m
after:glad
after:you
after:were
after:my
after:first.
after:You’re
after:kind,
after:sweet,
after:very
after:talkative…”
after:He
after:sighed,
after:tightening
after:the
after:hug
after:he
after:held
after:LaShawn
after:in. “Anyone
after:would
after:be
after:crazy
after:if
after:they
after:just
after:up
after:and
after:left
after:you…”
LaShawn
sighed,
after:thoughts
after:of
after:Tomás
after:coming
after:to
after:his
after:head
after:for
after:the
after:first
after:time
after:in
after:years. “Well…
after:That
after:hasn’t
after:stopped
after:others,”
after:he
after:said,
after:his
after:voice
after:sagging
after:slightly.
Art’s
eyes
after:shot
after:open,
after:and
after:then
after:he
after:looked
after:up
after:at
after:the
after:bear. “Really?”
after:he
after:asked. “That
after:happened?”
“Once,
when
after:I
after:was
after:your
after:age,”
after:said
after:LaShawn. “I
after:was
after:young
after:and
after:foolish
after:then…”
Art
nodded. “Oh.”
after:He
after:resumed
after:playing
after:with
after:LaShawn's
after:chest
after:hair. “What
after:was
after:he
after:like?”
“Well…”
LaShawn
after:sighed,
after:looking
after:up
after:at
after:the
after:ceiling
after:of
after:Art’s
after:apartment,
after:with
after:its
after:footprints
after:on
after:there
after:and
after:everything. “His
after:name
after:was
after:Tomás.”
And
so,
after:LaShawn
after:told
after:Art
after:all
after:about
after:Tomás,
after:from
after:when
after:they
after:first
after:met
after:to
after:how
after:Tomás
after:vanished
after:in
after:the
after:middle
after:of
after:the
after:day.
after:For
after:LaShawn,
after:it
after:felt
good:good:
it
good:was
good:the
good:first
good:time
good:he
good:had
good:ever
good:really
good:talked
good:about
good:Tomás
good:since
good:he
good:left,
good:and
good:now…
good:to
good:have
good:someone
good:else
good:know
good:about
good:it
good:for
good:the
good:first
good:time….
LaShawn
noticed
good:that
good:his
good:chest
good:did
good:indeed
good:feel
good:lighter
good:at
good:the
good:end
good:of
good:the
good:telling.
Art
nodded. “So
good:it
good:was
good:a
good:rocky
good:relationship,”
good:he
good:said. “I’m
good:sorry
good:to
good:hear
good:that…”
“Don’t
be,”
good:said
good:LaShawn. “It’s…”
good:He
good:paused,
good:looking
good:up. “I
good:should’ve
good:just…
good:said
good:yes.”
Art
simply
good:laid
good:there,
good:his
good:brows
good:raised
good:at
good:the
good:bear.
good:When
good:he
good:continued
good:to
good:say
good:nothing, LaShawn
good:sighed. “I
good:just…
good:I
good:dunno.
good:I
good:think
good:we
good:moved
good:too
good:fast.
good:He…”
good:He
good:shook
good:his
good:head,
good:glancing
good:out
good:Art’s
good:window
good:nostalgically. “He
good:was
good:fearless,
good:in
good:an
good:age
good:when
good:that
good:sort
good:of
good:fearlessness,
good:well…”
good:He
good:closed
good:his
good:eyes. “He
good:was
good:never
good:content
good:to
good:settle.
good:He
good:wanted
good:more.
good:He
good:always
good:did.”
Art
nodded
good:slowly.
good:He
good:swallowed
good:a
good:lump
good:in
good:his
good:throat,
good:and
good:for
good:a
good:moment
good:LaShawn
good:could
good:see
good:those
good:beautiful
good:brown
good:eyes
good:dart
good:about
good:slowly,
good:as
good:if
good:lost
good:in
good:thought.
good:And
good:for
good:a
good:moment,
good:LaShawn
good:felt
good:a
good:twitch in
good:his
good:finger.
“…sounds
like
good:he
good:was
good:ahead
good:of
good:his
good:time,”
good:the parrot said.
LaShawn sighed,
letting
good:a
good:mirthless
good:chuckle
good:escape
good:his
good:muzzle. “I…
good:guess
good:that’s
good:a
good:good
good:read
good:on
good:it,
good:huh?”
good:he
good:asked.
good:He
good:sighed. “I
good:also…
good:I
good:just
good:wish
good:we
good:hadn’t
good:had
good:sex
good:so early.
good:Maybe
good:then,
good:when
good:it
good:got
good:rocky…”
good:LaShawn
good:then
good:looked
good:down,
good:shifting
good:so
good:that
good:he
good:was
good:facing
good:the
good:parrot. “I’m
good:glad
good:I
good:waited
good:with
good:you.”
Art
purred
good:when
good:LaShawn
good:caressed
good:his
good:head. “Yeah,
good:I
good:am
good:too,”
good:he
good:said.
good:His
good:arms
good:tightened around
good:LaShawn, and the bear sighed as
good:he
good:felt
good:hard
good:beak
good:press
good:against
good:his
good:ribcage. “I’m
good:going to
good:miss
good:you
good:in
good:Cincinnati.”
The
bear leaned
good:towards
good:the
good:bird,
good:planting
good:a
good:gentle
good:kiss
good:on
good:Art’s
good:forehead.
----**----
LaShawn
held
good:Art’s
good:hand
good:as
good:they
good:approached
good:the
good:door
good:to
good:his
good:apartment. “Well,
good:I
good:guess
good:this
good:is
good:it,”
good:he
good:said.
“Perhaps,”
Art
good:said. “I
good:hope
good:everything
good:goes
good:for
good:the
good:best
good:for
good:you,
good:LaShawn.”
“You
too,”
good:said
good:LaShawn
good:as
good:he
good:turned
good:to
good:face
good:Art. “I
good:hope
good:you
good:find
good:yourself
good:a
good:nice
good:man
good:some time.
good:You’re
good:too
good:good
good:not
good:to
good:find
good:someone.”
Art
nodded. “Maybe
good:I
good:will,”
good:he
good:replied,
good:lightly
good:squeezing
good:LaShawn’s
good:hand. “And…
good:well,
good:here’s
good:hoping
good:you
good:do
good:too.”
Art
leaned
good:forward,
good:engaging
good:LaShawn in a
good:final
good:kiss. When the kiss broke, Art nodded to LaShawn.
“Well, here’s
hoping
good:we
good:see
good:each
good:other
good:again,”
good:said
good:LaShawn.
“Yeah,”
said
good:Art,
good:reaching
good:for
good:the
good:doorknob. “You
good:take
good:care,
good:LaShawn.”
“You too,”
the
good:bear
good:replied.
And
with
good:this,
good:the
good:parrot
good:opened
good:the
good:door.
good:He
good:stood
good:at
good:the
good:doorway
good:for
good:a
good:while,
good:LaShawn
good:walking
good:through
good:the
good:hallway
good:to
good:the
good:elevator
good:doors
good:that
good:were
good:just
good:around
good:the
good:corner
good:from
good:his
good:apartment.
good:LaShawn
good:turned
good:one
good:last
good:time
good:as
good:he
good:entered
good:the
good:elevator,
good:burning
good:the
good:sight
good:of
good:bright
good:emerald
good:feathers
good:into
good:his
good:memory
good:as
good:Art
good:looked
good:at
good:him.
The
last
good:he
good:saw of
good:the
good:young
good:parrot
good:was
good:of
good:him
good:smiling,
good:and
good:of
good:chocolate
good:brown
good:eyes
good:shining
good:happily,
good:with
good:no
good:regrets.
The
elevator
good:door
good:closed,
good:and
good:LaShawn
good:sighed
good:nostalgically.
----**----
The
relationship
good:had
good:lasted
good:only
good:a
good:year,
good:probably
good:even
good:less
good:than
good:that
good:all
good:things
good:considered.
It
had
good:never
good:been
good:true
good:love,
good:he
good:knew.
good:He
good:had
good:never
good:really
good:made
good:any
good:overtures
good:of
good:them
good:being
good:more
good:than
good:friends
good:the
good:whole
good:time,
good:and
good:he
good:was
good:still
good:afraid
good:to
good:go
good:all
good:the
good:way
good:after
good:what
good:happened
good:with
good:Tomás.
good:But
good:LaShawn
good:had
good:made
good:his
good:peace
good:with
good:that
good:fact,
good:and
good:from
good:the
good:way
good:Art
good:handled
good:the
good:whole
good:thing
good:LaShawn
good:guessed
good:the
good:parrot
good:also
good:understood
good:exactly
good:what
good:it
good:was.
good:He
good:wondered
good:if
good:Art
good:was
good:at
good:all
good:familiar
good:with
good:State
Fair:Fair:
the
Fair:relationship
Fair:had
Fair:been
Fair:very
Fair:similar
Fair:to
Fair:the
Fair:scenario
Fair:described
Fair:in
Fair:one
Fair:of
Fair:the
Fair:songs.
But
in
Fair:a
Fair:way,
Fair:that had
Fair:made
Fair:it
special:special:
even
special:if
special:it
special:was
special:not
special:love,
special:they
special:shared
special:something
special:beautiful
special:that
special:LaShawn
special:knew
special:only
special:ever
special:happened
special:once
special:in
special:a
special:person’s
special:lifetime.
special:And
special:thinking
special:on
special:it
special:when
special:he
special:returned
special:home,
special:he
special:thought
special:to
special:the
special:fact
special:Art
special:mentioned
special:it
special:was
special:his
special:first
special:time.
special:If
special:that
special:were
special:so…?
…no,
the
special:times
special:really
special:had
special:changed,
special:hadn’t
special:they?
special:There
special:were
special:states
special:where
special:he
special:could get
special:legally
special:married
special:now,
special:and
special:while
special:Ohio
special:was
special:not
special:one
special:of
special:them
special:he
special:could
special:come
special:back.
special:How
special:different
special:things
special:had
special:seemed
special:when
special:he
special:loved
special:Tomás.
special:And
special:if
special:he
special:could
special:find
special:something
special:like
special:what
special:he
special:had
special:with
special:Art…
…maybe…
maybe
special:it
special:was
special:not
special:too
special:late
special:for
special:him,
special:after
special:all.
special:And
special:as
special:he
special:woke
special:the
special:next
special:day,
special:he
decided:decided:
maybe
decided:it
decided:was
decided:time
decided:to
decided:find
decided:that
decided:special
decided:someone
decided:that
decided:he
decided:could
decided:share
decided:not
decided:just
decided:his
decided:life,
decided:but
decided:to
decided:the
decided:world…
This
was
decided:the
decided:second
decided:and
decided:final
decided:part
decided:of “A
decided:Tale
decided:of Two Whirlwinds” by Herr Wozzeck, read for you by READER, with CALLSIGN.
As always,
you
decided:can
decided:find
decided:more
decided:stories
decided:on
decided:the
decided:web
decided:at
decided:thevoice.dog,
decided:or
decided:find
decided:the
decided:show
decided:wherever
decided:you
decided:get
decided:your
decided:podcasts.
decided:Happy
decided:Pride,
decided:and
decided:Thank
decided:you
decided:for
decided:listening
decided:to
decided:The
decided:Voice
decided:of Dog.
Submissions to The Voice of
be less than ~5000 words per episode (thus less than ~10,000 words total for a two-part submission.)
be about, by, relevant to, and/or containing furry or anthropomorphic people, issues, etc.
not advocate or praise hateful or bigoted views, groups, or ideologies
not be “A Bummer,” ie, while dark, sad, or grim stories are welcomed, they should contain elements of hope, should “end looking up” so to speak. Specific application of this guideline is up to the interpretation of the Voice of Dog,
and is open for discussion with an interested author regarding a specific work.