Looks Can be Deceiving

"Good morning! I'm Dirk Dashing and today's program is taking place in Normalville. Our contestant today is Mrs. Jennifer Smith. Jennifer, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"

"I've lived here on Common Street in Normalville for 10 years with my husband John, son John Jr., daughter Joanna and our dog, Jack. I don't work but I'm the Secretary for the PTA. Also, my husband and I are members of the Neighbourhood Watch. John's the Treasurer and I work on the Welcoming Committee."

"The Welcoming Committee?"

"Oh yes. It's a little something that some of the other ladies and I have set up. Oops, we do have one man on our team now. Whenever someone new moves to the street, we put together a welcoming basket with some goodies in it, like homemade muffins and cookies, along with information about the street. We always try and meet them on their first day so they feel welcome."

"O - K. Well, let's move on with the show. As all of you out there know, I have a stack of cards here with information about different people who live on Jennifer's street. Remember there are also a few wildcards in there. She has to figure out if the description is real and who it belongs to. If she manages to get 10 right, she wins $5,000 for her family and $50,000 for the community. 10 should be easy don't you think? Well, let's see shall we. Let's get started. Are you ready Jennifer?"

"I sure am. I've been preparing for this since I found out I was going to be on."

"Grreat! So, here goes. Pick a card Jennifer."

"This family of four is soon to be five."

"Oh, that's easy. Not many people know this yet, but I figured it out ages ago. Patty Parker is expecting her third baby."

"You're exactly right. Hopefully, you'll find them all this easy. Let's move on."

"In this family, the dad has a bit of a problem with drinking, although, he tells people he suffers from migraines."

"I know this one too, the migraines gave it away. It's the Whites."

"Again, you got it right away. So, moving on, this family got an inheritance from a relative, but they haven't admitted to the full amount."

"Hmmm, I don't think there is anyone around here that that has happened to. I'm going to say that the card is a wildcard."

"Boy, you're good! I think we're going to have a hard time stumping you today. You're quickly on your way to winning the prize! Pick another card."

"Here goes ... before this gentleman moved here, he lived in another state where he set fire to a house and killed all the people living in it."

"There is no one on our street that could possibly have done such a thing. I'm going to say it's a wildcard too."

"Oh, I'm sorry Jennifer, but this is your first wrong answer. Actually, it was the Jones family..."

"Oh my God, the Jones' live across the street from us. I can't believe it."

"Well it happened a long time ago when the Mr. Jones was quite young and lived in the South. He got in with the wrong crowd and one night things got out of hand. The result was that a house was set on fire. It was unintentional..."

"Hmmm, now that I think about it, I did always think that he looked a bit shifty."

"O - K, let's keep going. The man of this house works in the city and does a lot of overtime. What his family doesn't know is that this overtime is actually spent with his secretary as he is having an affair with her."

"Hmmm, this one's tough but I think I know who it is. It's Mr. Green, isn't it?"

"Ummm, I think we had better go to a break before we reveal the answer to this question."

"Why, why don't you tell me right now, it's not time for a commercial yet? You're trying to fix it so I don't win aren't you."

"Mrs. Smith, Jennifer, I think you should calm down."

"Tell me. I'm right aren't I?"

"Umm, I don't know how to tell you this. You're not right actually. Uh, it's your husband who is having the affair."

"What, this can't be right, I don't believe you, this is some kind of sick joke! How could you do this to me on television? I..."

"I'm sorry, Jennifer. I don't know how this card got in here... Hey, are you still filming? What? Oh, and to all of you out there, this has been another episode of "What we think we know", I hope you tune in next time when we're in Nowhereville."

Taboo

He looked down at his watch to find there were only ten minutes left of the class. He didn't really need to check the time to know this. His heart had been racing and his hands were getting progressively more damp as the end of the class neared. He kidded himself that he didn't really care about the next class, but his body gave him away. Since the day had begun, he had been looking forward to the class - it was the highlight of his day. As the time drew nearer, it was becoming his nightmare as he became increasingly more anxious.

He knew he shouldn't torture himself like this. He was nothing to her and that's how it should be, but he couldn't get her out of his head. When she wasn't around, all he did was dream about what he was going to say to her ... and do with her. Unfortunately, when she appeared, those dreams died as his mouth dried up and his voice failed him. She turned him into a nervous wreck! He had known her for over a year now and had barely managed to croak out her name.

He looked at his watch again. Nine minutes left. He groaned to himself, his body torn in two with longing to see her and dreading it equally as much. Time seemed to be playing cruel tricks on him, rushing by one minute and moving incredibly slowly at the same time. He could barely stand it; his body was almost physically pulsing with his feelings. He was sure that everyone around him knew exactly what he was thinking and a fine sweat broke out on his forehead.

Finally, the bell rang and he collected his things together. He tried to linger so that everyone had left the room by the time he made his way to the door. He tried to walk nonchalantly down the hallway, as if he didn't have a care in the world, when in fact he had to make a conscious effort not to run to the next class. Ideally, he wanted to get there just as the class was about to start and all the desks were full, so he wouldn't have to endure the chit chat that always preceded the class. If he could time it right, she would already be there and would smile at him as he entered the room.

Even after trying to take his time, he arrived well ahead of everyone else. He looked around forlornly and decided to get his notes and books out so that he looked like he was working when everyone arrived. He opened a book on his desk and stared down at the page. Who was he kidding? He could barely read the words on the page. It took almost all his concentration to not stare at the open door. He didn't dare look anyone in the eye as they arrived - he was sure his feelings were clearly written all over his face.

Gradually, people began to fill the room and he was amazed at his level of control. He had managed to only glance up a couple of times. But with her, it was different. It was almost like he had a sixth sense where she was concerned. He knew when she was going to enter the room even before he saw her. Maybe he heard her laugh with her friends as she was coming down the hallway. Or maybe, it was that perfume she wore - he could pick it out in a crowd. But as a result, he invariably found himself gazing at the door just as she entered.

She was beauty personified - long blond hair, clear blue eyes, perfect sixteen-year-old body. Venus herself would be jealous. Almost every set of eyes in the room, both male and female, was on her when she entered. People couldn't help but look at her. It was almost as if she glowed. People were drawn to her when she was in the room.

He closed his book angrily. Why should he expect her to notice him? There was nothing special about him. He was just kidding himself to even think that there was. This was just dumb, dumb, dumb. He had to get over this infatuation before it was the end of him!

The harsh ringing of the bell interrupted his thoughts. He looked up to find her standing in front of him with a sheet of paper thrust towards him. "Here is that extra work you assigned last lesson. I hope you like what I have written, sir" she said as she turned and made her way back to her desk, away from his at the front of the room.

Where the Streets Have No Names

"Luu-cyy, breaaakfaaast."

Lucy stretched and carefully opened one eye and then the other. She smiled to herself, as she gazed around the room. The tidy bedroom with the bay window and ensuite bathroom greeted her eyes. They almost seemed to twinkle in the sunlight. She continued to lie in bed and listened to George clattering around downstairs in the kitchen.

Part of her still couldn't believe this was hers, the pretty house in the country town with the garden that had a swimming pool. It was everything she had ever dreamed of right down to the porch surrounding the house. How she had ended up here she never knew, she must have definitely done something right in her previous life.

"Lucy, the pancakes are getting cold!"

"Ok, ok, I'm coming," she laughed as she pattered down the stairs in her bare feet and pajamas. She went through the living room with the matching bay window and the fireplace in the opposite wall, to the dining room. She loved this room more than any other, as she could look out of the French doors on to their garden. This morning it was full of sparrows hopping amongst the flowers. Lucy could never decide if she actually loved the house or the garden more.

"Here you go gorgeous," George said as he kissed the top of her head and put the plate down in front of her. "Banana pancakes, your favorite."

She smiled up at him. He was just another part of her dream life that she couldn't believe she had. Smart, funny, handsome, he was almost too good to be true. She pinched herself under the table as he turned back towards the kitchen.

"So, what are your plans for this lovely Saturday ... and what are you smiling at me like that for?" he asked with a laugh.

She giggled and tried to wipe the grin from her face. She was sure she looked like a loon, but she just couldn't help it. She was just so happy, although she did wonder how long she would feel this way. They had been in the house for a month now, and married for three months. She didn't want to take a single moment for granted; she wanted to feel this way forever.

"Well, I have to go into town and run some errands, but other than that, I'm all yours," she replied while finishing her breakfast.

As she got up from the table, she noticed the mailman walking up the path to their house. She opened the door and went out onto the porch to meet him.

"Excuse me, where is this?" he asked.

Lucy looked at him quizzically and replied, "Why, it's my house."

"But where is it?"

"Um, I don't know," she said with a slight quiver in her voice. She was starting to feel nervous as a cloud slowly slid across the sun.

"Why don't you know?"

She paused and gazed at him, her brain whirring, trying to find the right answer. "Because the streets have no names?" she asked.

"But, why not?" he pressed.

"Um... because they don't exist," she whispered.

"And why not?"

"Because I made them up."

"And what about George, where is he?"

"He doesn't live here either."

"Where is he then?"

"He went in the car and didn't come back."

"Why not, where did he go?"

"He went to buy some milk, but there was a big truck and, and..."

"And..."

"And there was an accident," she said as one tear slowly made its way down her cheek. "Why do you have to ask me about this? Why can't you leave me alone?" she blurted out.

"Good girl, Lucy. That's much better. You rest now and I'll come and speak to you again this afternoon. The nurse is just going to give you something to relax you."

Lucy's eyes glazed over as the doctor got up to leave and the nurse entered the room.

"We're losing her aren't we doctor?" she asked as he was heading out the door.

"Sadly, I think so and I don't think there's much else we can do," he said as Lucy closed her eyes and drifted back to her house on the street with no name.