Strange Ways

By Amy Sadler

© 2019

The Birthday Boy

TOM Harley was a happy young boy, he had just turned 18 years old, finally at long last, he was an adult. He was 5ft 4in tall, he had a mop of curly blonde hair, blue eyes and he was of slim build. He lived with his father, Matt. Who was 38 years old, 7ft tall, he had short brown hair, blue eyes and he was of a medium build. He had lovely wife, Susan, she was 40 years old, but looked 20, she had long blonde hair, blue eye and she was 5ft 5in tall.

All of Tom’s friends were at the party, including his steady going girlfriend, Tia, Tom’s friends were; Ross Baker, Mike Langford, Lee Sims, Kyle Reese and Darren Slater. Who were all one year or so older than Tom. “Happy Birthday son.” Said Susan, as she gave her son her gift for him and kissed him on his left cheek. “Thanks Mum.” Said Tom, as he opened up his present. Which was a Tape to Tape Deck player, with radio and Dolby noise reduction. “Great, fantastic.”

Remarked Tom, so happy to get a boom box, it has been something that he had always wanted, but in his early teens, he had been much of a trouble maker and he even got into trouble with the law on more than one occasion, he was told that he may get and have one, should he be able to change his ways and he had done so, since the age of 16. Though he had a few ups and downs along the way, but at long last, he had truly earned getting one.

“Happy Birthday son.” Said Matt, as he gave to his son, his present from him. “Thanks dad. Replied Tom. He opened his present and it was a signed Manchester United. The football had red and white hexagon pattern all over it. “Oh wow! Dad. Thank you, so much.” Remarked Tom, who was given a hardy good pat on his back from his dad, who was not one for hugging boys, but these were different times, where men were real men and women were real women.

“Happy Birthday Tom.” Said Tia, as she kissed him on his lips as she gave her present from her to him. “Thanks Tia.” Replied Tom, he opened his present and it was a replica of the Manchester United Football Championship World Cup. Tom kissed Tia passionately and then said. “Thank you Tia, you are one amazing girlfriend.”

“Why thank you dear.” Replied Tia. Tom then went on to get and open the presents from his friends, who brought other friends along to the party and it was by far, the best birthday party ever, that Tom had ever had.

The next day, Susan had Tom help her out tidying up the house after the party. “Where’s Dad?” Tom suddenly asked. He’s at work as usual, being a Karate Coach, but you already know that. Is there something wrong?” Asked Susan, surprised that Tom would ask such a silly question. “Well, you do know that this sort of work is woman’s work, right?” Susan suddenly looked shocked. “I very well cannot do all of the cleaning up all by myself and you are the only one around the house to help out, okay?” She remarked a little harshly at the end.

“Yeah, okay.” Replied Tom, not feeling at all too happy about his situation, but he simply got on with doing the work. “All done.” Tom finally had reported. “See! That wasn’t so bad was it?” Remarked Susan happily to her son. “Yeah, I guess so.” Remarked Tom not at all sounding too enthusiastically. Tom went right up to his bedroom, slapped a game cartridge into his Atari Games console. The game on the screen was the classic Space Invaders game.

 He was close to getting a really high score until his mother walked in on him unannounced. “Mum! You made me lose my chance at the highest score!” Remarked Tom in a not so happy tone of voice to her. “Oh I am sorry Tom, I did not mean for that to happen, but it is a very beautiful day, why don’t you go out to the park, hook up with friends and all that?”

“They all went on some stupid camping trip together.”

“What’s so wrong with that?” Asked Susan in mild alarm. “It means having to put up my own tent, sleeping a camp bed with toilets a 5-minute walk away, what if I need to go pee really badly?” Replied Tom very sharply as he then added. “I would end up wetting myself.” Susan looked shocked and surprised. “I very much doubt that something like that would ever happen, you’re merely just exaggerating the whole thing.” Remarked Susan, not sounding too happy with her son

“No I’m not.” Replied Tom in anger. “Yes you are.” Replied Susan, very sharply. “No I am not.” Roared Tom in anger. “Tom, stop this at once, you are being one very stupid boy.” Susan remarked angrily at her son, though she really did not want to lose her temper with her son. “Get lost you stupid cow, now get the heck out of my room.” Roared Tom in anger again, Susan was shocked and also very upset with Tom talking back to her in that way.

In fact, she was so upset, she put on her coat and left the house, slamming the front door shut. Tom simply went back to playing his video game. Later on, he heard someone enter into the house. “Hi honey, I’m home.” Shouted Matt, expected to be greeted by his ever faithful wife. Tom heard and he went down stairs. “Oh hi dad.” Tom said, seeming quite cheerful. “Where’s your mum?” Matt asked. “I don’t know.” Replied Tom.

But then he suddenly added. “I did hear the front door go later on, I am sure she will be back soon.” Matt smiled. “Your right son.” Tom said nothing after that, time went on. There came a knock on his bedroom door. Tom put his game on pause. “What’s up dad?” Said Tom, sounding mildly concerned, knowing that he was the one responsible for upsetting his mother, the way that he did. “Your mother has not come back; did she tell you where she was going?”

Asked Matt with worry. “No, sorry Dad.” Replied Tom.

The time now was 8pm and Matt was getting real worried by now. So he called the police. “What?” The person on the other end of the phone replied. “I said, there is nothing we cannot do anything until your wife has been gone for forty-eight hours.” Matt simply slammed down the telephone. No good for nothing police.” He said in anger. Just then, the doorbell rang. Matt got up out of his armchair to answer the door. Much to his surprise, there was a policeman, but with him was also an ambulance man too.

“Mr. Harley?” Asked the police officer “Yes that’s me. Matt replied. “We are here about your wife, Mrs Harley.” Replied the ambulance man. “Why what about?”

“Asked Matt worriedly. “Perhaps we should go inside and you sit down Mr Harley.” Remarked the police officer. “Will just one of you simply tell me what is going on here?” Roared Matt in anger. “I am sorry to report Mr Harley.” Remarked the ambulance man as he continued to say in soft low voice. “But your wife, Mr’s Harley had been involved in a car accident and I am sad to inform you that your wife is dead.”

TO BE CONTINUED.