Liberty's Sparkle (36)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (36)"
   
   Faye swept Tom inside the hospital, demanding to find a Catholic priest for him--he freaking needed it, or so she felt her instincts say.  After some heavy debating with a nurse, explaining that he had just lost a child, Tom was escorted to a little chapel inside the hospital, and the priest, a wiry, little man with Larry King glasses sat down across from him near a little altar; next, the twosome engaged in conversation.

PRIEST
I'm sorry for your loss my son.

TOM
I'm not Catholic sir, not really.  I read Mark Twain's Joan of Arc before I dropped out of high school though, and it really affected me.  I learned the Hail Mary in French, and say it as often as possible.

PRIEST
Do you want to be a Catholic?

TOM
Of course.  But I get the shakes around people, especially if there are plenty of them, and going to Mass seems almost impossible.  I have a mental disorder, but my family just thinks I'm a limp and lazy dog.

PRIEST
Are you seeing a physician?

TOM
Yes sir.

PRIEST
Has it helped?

TOM
The medication makes me real sleepy, and sleep terrifies me.  I try not to do it.  Can you help me?  I think I'm evil or there is evil upon me.

PRIEST
Yes, you must become a Catholic.  And this young lady you got pregnant--are you a player, uh, I mean are you into the ladies?

TOM
No sir.  Liberty, my girlfriend--she's the only person I've had intercourse with.  I'm freaked by body fluids, but she made it real simple.  Is super nice and all.  A real charmer, in an altruistic sense.  Do you think I need an exorcism?

PRIEST
Come to my Church, Our Lady of Good Counsel; next, talk to the Monsignor there, he is a fine and compassionate man; moreover, if you attend regularly, an exorcism can be requested by the hierarchy within.

TOM
So, I am possessed?  Tom's face turning green.

PRIEST
No son--I didn't mean that.  Just get all your ducks in a row, okay.  And again, I'm sorry for your loss.

Liberty's Sparkle (35)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (35)"
   
   Liberty lost the baby--it was a bloody mess; furthermore, rushed to the emergency room, Tom having used her phone to swiftly dial 911; moreover, after she was further examined, hours upon hours, the physician told her she would no longer be able to have a child.  Liberty wept.
   Tom and Faye were chain-smoking organic tobacco products outside of the hospital, having heard all the melancholy news.  Tom saying:  "It's all my fault.  They're after me; specifically, don't wanna give me a chance."
   Faye was like:  "Hold on dude.  This could just be a test.  Chance.  Fate.  Whatever.  Don't assume."
   Tom replied sadly:  "But I see them at night.  They pin me down--they're in my mind.  I'm rotten to the core."
   Faye hugged him with pure love, consoling him with her newly found female empathy.  She burst into tears, having heard Liberty's stories about Tom's condition, and whether this was otherworldly or just a roll of the dice--it didn't matter--it sucked eggs, and they stunk.  
   Faye asked through sobs:  "What are you going to do now?"
   Tom with:  "Maybe I should leave.  Let Liberty have the trailer and just waste myself."
   Faye pushed him out of her embrace:  "That freaking girl, my best friend--she adores you sweet Tom.  Don't you dare walk away."
   Tom was like:  "But I'm pure poison.  The contagion is all around me."
   Faye screamed:  "Fight it damn't!"
   Tom lowered his head; next, he wept also.   

Liberty's Sparkle (34)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (34)"
   
   Wanda was sitting upon an opulent couch afforded by the wicked normality of her brain, sipping fancy wine, almost chewing the elegant, Italian grape, tasting the flavors of American success, knowing she was fit to survive.
   Her accountant husband next to her, a sublime nerd, fashioned after the best of men, for he had a heart of  gold, having a bit of cautious contempt for the arrogance that always fell out of his wife's bravado-breathing mouth, and he hated kissing it, always wishing her human fabric was crafted by things divine, yet she had hooked him with the bait of wanting, wanting a suburban stronghold and the ostentatious gifts of capitalism that those with weary souls could never possess, at least not in this world.
   She had been fuming over her little brother's weakness and lack of confidence, as she saw it, not knowing the mysteries of God, and that he had battled a myriad of demons since birth, being braver than the rest.  And her husband named Jacob knew the truth of Tom, of his quirky suffering--a toxicity that was sucking him into states bizarre.
   And as Wanda continued to complain about his infantile behavior, Jacob became fueled by a spirit that was holy, desiring out of sublimity, a way to help Tom.  To allow him a bit of happiness, which in this country means wealth.  So, instead of that raunchy mink coat she desired for the winter ahead, Jacob would afford Tom a gift.  A chance at survival, and a means to raise his child, knowing the young man deserved, at least, respect and honor for having been so tortured and tormented in life.
   And intoxicated to the point of stupidity, Wanda's offensive mouth offered to the Ears of God:  "I just wish that little prick would die."
   Jacob poured his ruthless wife more wine, saying:  "Yeah, all gimps deserve death."
   Wanda, so drunk off her ass, not seeing the irony, stated:  "Maybe he'll get cancer and learn a lesson or something."  

Liberty's Sparkle (33)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (33)"
   
   Liberty waited as Tom showered, scrubbing with green soap, washing himself by way of his own interpretation of numerology--these compulsions comforting him.
   And of course, the night terrors.  She had viewed his corporeal essence shaking randomly during sleep, as if things were pulling on him; plus, the Sleep Paralysis, where would he lay awake, yet pinned down, only able to move his eyeballs, for up to twenty minutes she witnessed this; next, Tom would gain control of his body, and with the fear of hellish heat upon him, he would ask her:  "Did you see them?  They were holding me down."
   Liberty always replied:  "It's okay Tom."  But she hadn't seen any creatures; however, she knew that all things were possible; also, that there was an infinite number of happenings in the Multiverse.
   Tom exited the shower, dressing himself in a Yoda t-shirt and pajama pants, saying he needed to take his medication and rest, asking her to call work and explain that he was a little under the weather.
   His boss at the pizza shop told her Tom was a good delivery dude, but he couldn't keep missing work.  Liberty didn't want to explain what Tom was going through, for nobody would believe it anyway, chalking it up to being lazy.
  Next, Liberty and Tom sat on the futon, Spanky there too, wagging his tail and licking Tom's unearthly anxiety and anguish away, Tom saying:  "I love you Spanky."
   "What about me?"  Liberty asked, smiling.
   Tom smiled back, replying:  "You're my greatest love save God."
   Liberty didn't feel insulted, for there was no way she could compete with the Divine Maker; thus, she put her head on Tom's shoulder, and they cranked on their antiquated black and white television set with rabbit ears, watching the local news, and all the crap that was happening in this tainted world.  

Liberty's Sparkle (32) SCRUPULOSITY

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (32) SCRUPULOSITY"
   
   Liberty came home to the trailer on wheels, feeling better after her mercurial symposium with Faye; however, when she entered, she noticed Tom on the floor, naked, praying in French; specifically, invoking the Virgin Mary.
   She didn't interrupt, and couldn't understand his prayer, yet he began to speak in English, and she spied his verbal communication, which was then directed to God, or as Tom called Him, Papa.
   Tom, crying:  "Why do they think it's just washing and making things straight Papa?  Of course that's part of it, but the anguish concerning things.  Sexual thoughts I loathe--these intrusive images constantly afflicting me.  Seeing a knife on the counter and believing I will slash my wrists.  Not suicide due to jealousy of the bourgeois, but just plain batshit crazy.  And the toilet seats--other people's negative energy upon the commode.  Why Papa?  Fill me with Thy Holy Spirit.  Make me as white as snow."
   Liberty didn't feel threatened or phobic concerning Tom, but only had pity and mercy.  A brain attacked by things unseen, those visual images nagging constantly at her love.  How cruel.  How cruel his sister didn't understand with her pathetic education--Tom didn't want what she had; Tom wanted to be normal.  To enjoy a burger without thinking the cook didn't wash his hands after a rancorous piss.
   And there was more.  But Liberty didn't give a damn, only manifesting love.
   She walked like a Native American, stealth-like, till upon him, laying over his naked frame and weeping sorrowful tears over his essence, saying:  "I love you Tom.  I love you."
   Tom replied:  "But what if I hurt you or myself?  What if this never stops?  I can't touch things without viewing them as tainted by people's cruelty.  They think what I have is cliche--merely being neat and clean, but it transcends that bullfunk."
   Liberty's tears pouring forth over him; her arms wrapped around his body:  "I won't let anything happen to you Tom.  My love will make all your demons depart--I give you my loving word."  

Liberty's Sparkle (31)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (31)"
   
   Tom couldn't take anymore.  Felt guilty all the time--a long history of Catholicism hysterically haunting him.  Darn, the Protestants had it right--give it all to Jesus.  But Catholics want to rip the nails out, putting them into themselves.  Christ telling Saint John:  "Behold thy mother."
   Indeed, SACRIFICE, all the freaking time!  Bowel evacuation due to a tainted adder.  God made Lucifer--yes.  But who wants to take care of dogs?  Humans--just dogs.  The most beautiful angel dubbed Lucifer didn't want to pick up dog crap; thus, REBELLION.  
   And further hence, an evolution into Satan.  A morphing from angel to demon.  A terrorist attack upon Terra's gleam, like them Confederates during the Civil Conflict--the biggest terrorist action upon the Federal Union.
   Tom was wasted intellectually.  Born cursed, like most men, for the hell of it.  God sleeps on the seventh day; next, the adder hacks into creation, disturbing.  Yet baseball was so charming in the 1970's before Terry Bradshaw showcased the potency of the pigskin.  
   Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris, two 1,000 yard rushers, and Rocky only had half a foot, the other blown into smithereens by the uncanny cruel of Vietnam.  They knew--numbers don't matter.  Sun Tzu and "The Art of War" showcasing how the underground and things bright by way of the sub-culture can outshine all things strong and mighty.
   But Tom didn't hate his sister.  Hated himself.  Yet so in love with Liberty--he would do much better, or perpetually continue on the path of counterpoise, striving to make trust with his demons, displaying the angelity of decency, always determined, and mindful of sublime action.  

Liberty's Sparkle (30)

   
   "Liberty's Sparkle (30)"
   
   Liberty wasn't the type to get pissed, not even at God for her cruel, historic circumstances.  A departing mother, a father she cradled in her arms until his death.  Nope, Liberty didn't know the word GRUDGE; alas, she felt a little prick from Wanda's visit, and it had wounded her impoverished essence.  As a result--she sought out Faye to talk about it, wending her way in the hybrid through the Michigan grasslands till upon the patch of real estate she used to inhabit.  There, she went into Faye's apartment, the lost Goth girl still getting more conservative by the day, in her attire especially, ornamented in a stylish pair of khaki pants and a golfing shirt.
  
LIBERTY
I mean Tom's sister is a real character.  Can you believe she said all that to us--in our faces, as if. 

FAYE
Mere bravado.  The privileged, with no asymmetry in their souls, fitting in perfect with a twisted society.  Listen girlfriend--she tried to manipulate you.  Like the shinobi, or as we call them, the mystical ninja.  She was attempting to squeeze you out of Tom's life, or make you feel guilty for being in it.  Preying on your innocence.  The art of deception.  

LIBERTY
How should I handle it all?

FAYE
Don't give a damn.  Don't let her rattle you.  People that preach without love in their hearts are just plain rotten.  They don't understand poverty; moreover, what put us in this position.  Just love her girl, and I mean really love her--it's like putting hot ash on her head, especially if you mean it.

LIBERTY
Gee Faye, you've become so, uh, such a classy lady.

FAYE
Even a tramp can have resurrection of the complete soul.  Thanks to you Liberty.  The love that lives in you.  I knew it the minute I first saw you--you're a decent, loving person.  And that's all that matters, especially in the end.