Sept. 8, 2015, 7 p.m.
EasonVille: Welcome Indeed
T - Words: 1,338 - Last Updated: Sep 08, 2015 Story: Closed - Chapters: 5/? - Created: Apr 02, 2015 - Updated: Apr 02, 2015 262 0 0 0 0
Stepping out of city hall, Blaine felt like a changed man. The sun was warm, reflecting on his new life. His dog was leashed, the key to his new home was in hand, he was a man, despite the slandering nicknames from Sue.
Indeed, he was a man. But he was also lost as hell. Every few steps his dog would bark at a passing stranger. A great day had risen and the whole town seemed to rise to meet it. The outdoor seating of restaurants were packed, as was the park. Plus, everyone wore such bright colors and friendly smiles. But the pretenses were dropped as Blaine would pass and the dog would yap happily. Some would flash him welcoming smiles like the posters of creepy dystopian films. Others would just stare absently. Blaine wasnt a stranger to being new, but he didnt like it either. Since he was a kid, hes lived in Ohio, Oklahoma, New York, Washington state and DC. He adapts well, eventually.
However, this town seemed distinctly different than all of the other cities. The whole scene is reminiscent of a more modern adaptation of the play, Sunday in the Park with George. However, it also gives Blaine the vibe he could only imagine Levittowns emitting. That whole false sense of happiness drawn on their faces. Were they happy, Blaine wondered as the same family that Kurt greeted passed him again. They gave him the same stare, but this time he stopped them.
"Hi, Im sorry to bother you guys." Living in the city, Blaines parents often complained about people stopping them to ask for directions, so it was instinct to apologize.
"Oh, youre no bother." The lady said, brightening her smile to possibly fifty watts. It was nearly blinding and Blaine wondered if her face would split. "Im Rachel." an energized hand was jutted in Blaines direction. Nervously, he took it. "This is my husband, Finn, our daughter, Barbara, and our son, Collins."
"Mommm," the small boy cried, being very long winded for such a small body. "I told you to call me Drizzle. Its my drummer name."
Rachel shot a pointed this is your fault glare at her husband, before calmly smoothing down her sons hair. "No, its not sweetie."
"Uhm," Blaine spoke.
Rachels smile and energy was renewed. "Right, Im so sorry. Can we help you with anything?"
"Im lost." He admitted.
"Where are you trying to get?" Finn asked.
Blaine scratched his head and glanced at the address written on his key tag. "Elm street."
"Oh, okay, heres what you gotta do," Finn towered next to Blaine, his body angled to the streets, arms raised a normal height for him, which was above Blaines head. He was so close to helping Blaine. So close, when Barbara promptly opened her little mouth to interrupt.
"Can I pet your dog?" She smiled sweetly up at Blaine.
The fact that he had a dog with him was still new to Blaine, would people ask him this often? "Sure, hes friendly?" He hoped they didnt hear the uncertainty in his voice.
"Anyways, so," Finn began again.
"Whats his name?" Barbara was proving to be quite a pest.
"Uh. Pat." It was the first thing Blaine could think of quickly that he would remember. It was stupid, as soon as he said it he knew. Who names a dog Pat? "Short for Patrick, like the starfish in spongebob." Take note than when lying, the less you say, the better.
Barbara began cooing at Patrick, crouched down next to her little family. Finn continued on with his directions, instructing for Blaine to continue straight ahead until he reaches a three way stop. Then he has to turn onto Rainbow Bend and turn right. The house will be on his left. Blaine thanked the family, practically dragging Pat away from them.
Following the mans instructions, Blaine found himself looking up at a pair of joined houses. They were made of stone, with ivy infiltrating the walls. 2100 A and B. Blaine had no idea which he was. However, a car was parked in the driveway of 2100 A, so he decided to try his key at B. His feet traced the short walkway as he approached the door. The handle was brass, painted black, but not even the tip of the key fit. Dejected, Blaine led Pat with him across the grass to 2100 A. When he got the key in halfway, he took it as a mini victory. But, then it stopped there. Trying to push it forwards, it didnt budge. Then he tried to pull it back, again to no avail. Hoping no one was actually home, he tied Pat to the brass handle and tried yanking on the key. Obviously his wasnt his new home. But it certainly was someones. And that someone would be quite concerned to find Blaine in his current state. Especially in such a close town like this. He had his fingers gripped as tightly as he could around the key, with his foot propped against the door to give him more foundation. Still, the key didnt budge. This was some sick joke if Sue had planned this. Giving up, Blaine released the key and turned.
He nearly peed his pants when he saw the blonde man standing behind him. He was sweaty and tired from a jog, hands on his knees as he watched Blaine.
"Should I call the cops?" He panted out.
"No, no no. Thats okay. I just got my address wrong and not my key is stuck." Blaine explained, feeling mildly humiliated.
"Let me." The man jogged up to Blaine. He proceeded to go through a series of ridiculously unneeded stretches. Then he positioned his fingers on the key, jiggling it slightly. Then it was free.
"Oh..." Blaine thanked him, feeling now very humiliated.
The man shrugged, "dont feel bad. Most people pay me to do that. Im Sam by the way."
"Im Blaine. Im kind of new in town."
Sam nodded briskly, "thats understood. And I assume this is not the house youre looking for." His voice had adopted a rather authentic Obi Wan Kanobi quality. Uncomfortably, Blaine laughed. No one had ever causally done an impersonation for him before.
"Sure." Somehow, he has yet to have a normal conversation with anyone in this town. Except maybe Kurt. "I was told I live in 2100 Elm street, but clearly no."
"Let me see." Sam reached for the card attached to Blaines keys. After a moment of reflection, he cracked a smile. "This is 2100 Elm street. You live on 2100 ELM street." For some ungodly reason, the zany man shouted the second Elm.
"Yeah, 2100 Elm street. Thats what I said."
"But thats wrong. Its ELM street." Again, he shouted.
Clearly talking to him was a mistake. "I dont understand the difference."
"ELM! Elm." He gestured with his hands together, as if he were weighing the two words, which to Blaine was still the same. "ELM." Right hand. "Elm." Left hand.
Blaine untied his dog, beginning to back away. "Actually, yes thank you. I understand."
"Stop, dude. Ill just show you, its okay." Much to Blaines dismay, Sam led him under the canopy of little trees that seemed to branch out over all of the sidewalks. All they did was turn the corner and then stop. "ELM street." Sam shouted. He gestured proudly to the street sign. Sure enough, printed on it was ELM street. All caps.
Blaine started laughing, despite the headache Sam had given him. "Alright, ELM street. Thank you."
"Anytime. Welcome to town, neighbor!" Sam smiled, waving at Blaine before he set off jogging down the street.
Blaine approached the yellow house with white trim. It was safe to assume he was in the one without children bikes in the driveway. Sliding the key into the door, opening it with a twist, Blaine delighted in the fresh smell greeting him. Yes, welcome indeed.