Inanimate Read Online Free Page A

valley was alive with life. Birds, insects, rabbits, squirrels
and deer all inhabited this territory. Standing knee deep in the
shallow, slow moving part of the river Connor enjoyed the feeling
of the cold water surrounding his waders. All around him the spring
grass blew softly in the wind. Connor used this land to project his
thoughts out in front of him, like an artist used a pallet for his
creations. He tried to understand why his mother had to die. He
missed her so much. His father unscrewed the lid from a hip flask
and took a big swig of Kentucky’s then called to his
son.
    “ Any bites yet
buddy?”
    “ Not yet dad .”
    If truth be told, Connor didn’t care about
the actual act of fishing. He enjoyed the time he and his father
had together and the peace of the valley. Catching a fish was just
a bonus.
    Another swig of the
bourbon :
    “ K eep at it son. Remember, we eat what we
catch.”
    “ I know dad.”
    Connor returned to his thoughts, the
quiet helping him to come to terms with his loss.

    The light from the refrigerator
illuminat ed
Andy’s soft yet ageing features.
    “ You want a
cola?”
    “ Yes please ,” answered Connor while taking
off his waders by the front door.
    Andy, on the other hand didn’t
stop to take anything off he just went straight for the beer in the
fridge. While Connor had his peaceful fishing to take his mind off
his mother’s
passing, Andy found solace in alcohol. Although he was careful
never to let Connor see him too drunk or too out of hand, when he
was not at work you would seldom see him without a drink in his
hand. Connor never thought much of it. He was eight now and his dad
was his hero. Andy remained strong for his son through the tragedy;
if drinking helped him remain strong then Connor saw no problem in
it. He had heard the warnings in school and on the television that
alcohol was bad for your health but he took no notice, instead
choosing to believe his father knew best.
    Connor strip ped down to his underpants and
carried his fishing gear to the laundry basket in the kitchen. He
threw his waders out the back door onto the concrete beside the
grass. Andy watched the boy, so careful not to dirty the house.
With his beer in hand he looked down at himself, still dressed as
if he was leaving to go fishing again. His eyes drifted back to his
son. The judging look from the youngster was enough to evoke a
response.
    “ Ok, ok I’ll get changed; I wasn’t
going to sit on the couch like this anyways. God, you’re worse than
your mother!”
    Andy chuckled and playfully
punched Connor in the stomach.
    “ Ok, go shower and come watch the
game with me .”
    “ I don’t want to watch the game
dad.” Connor
said smiling.
    His father wanted him to be a sports fan so
bad.
    “ Still not a football fan eh, now
I know you’re your mother.”

    Connor look ed at the floor. After fishing
was when he thought about his mother the most. Had she still been
alive she would have been waiting for them with dinner at the
ready. Whenever he entered the house now there were no aromas, no
scents for him to get excited over.
    “ I miss her , dad.”
    Andy put down his beer and looked at his son
thoughtfully.
    “ I know Connor, I know. I do
too .”
    After a moment Andy
sp oke
again
    “ Well go on up to your room then,
I’ll call you down for dinner in a bit.”
    Andy picked up his beer and
took a big
drink.

    “ Well dummy, who gave you
tickets to the circus?”
    “ Well dummy, I believe I was
invited here! Who gave you tickets to the circus?”
    “ Who are you calling dummy?
Dummy!”
    “ There’s only one dummy here. And
it ain’t
me!”
    A fight br oke out. Two small ventriloquist
dummies attacked each other, butting heads and flailing arms,
clicking as their wooden limbs collided.
    “ Myaaa break it up you dummies!”
    The two small dummies
fe ll to the
floor and a larger one stepped in beside them.
    “ I invited you both remember? We
have to take down that clown! He’s