posted on Oct, 17 2009 @ 03:15 PM
Part three:Can you hear me now?
The fire cast eerie shadows all around the yard and on the kids faces. Unbeknownst to Glenn the smell of alcohol now permeated the area, along with
the smell of their burning wood. Glenn laughed out loud as he looked at the children. They seemed horrified already. This was going to be great.
He turned the cover over and began to read.
“Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunkard who loved playing tricks on anyone and everyone. He was very crafty this old man. He would cheat an old
woman out of her last cent if given the chance. Everyone knew of Stingy Jack and had given up trying to change him years ago.” Glenn cleared his
throat and looked at the kids. They were sitting very attentively. Suddenly Glenn thought he heard someone say something.
Glenn is a miserable old drunk who likes to trick people too. He would drink behind the sink and even hide a bottle in an old tennis shoe.
“What?” Glenn questioned the kids. He was sure he had heard something but he wasn’t sure which miserable little wretch said it. “What did
you say?” He questioned his oldest son.
“I didn’t say anything Dad. We are listening to the story is all.” His oldest son shifted nervously in his seat. This was getting worse. He
hoped it wouldn’t get out of hand.
“Alright. I thought I heard something, that’s all.” Glenn slurred. He turned his attention back to the book. He quickly glanced up to see if
they were talking amongst themselves secretly. They weren’t. He turned back to the book.
“One dark, Halloween night, Jack ran into the Devil himself in a local public house. Jack knew that the Devil would be along for him at some point
and now was the time. Jack tricked the Devil into having a couple of drinks with him before taking him to hell. The Devil agreed. The Devil had
heard of this Stingy Jack and he thought that if anyone deserved to have a drink with the Devil himself, it was Stingy Jack.” Glenn shifted the
book so that the light from the campfire illuminated the next few paragraphs. Suddenly he heard that voice again.
Glenn parties with Devil too. When the Devil comes a knockin, Glenn’s world goes a rockin. Glenn can’t help himself; he knows no better,
he’s much too dry, let’s make him wetter.
“What the hell did you just say?!” Glenn was pointing at his youngest son now. He was sure that the miserable little punk just said that. He
demanded an answer.
“Dad, I didn’t say anything. Really. We’re just listening to the spooky story.” His youngest son was on the verge of tears now. He was
scared alright and it had nothing to do with Stingy Jack. His voice quivered.
“Dad, really, no one said anything. Can we just go to bed now?” His oldest son interrupted. He wanted out of this mess. He didn’t want to
hear any more about Stingy Jack.
Glenn felt that they were sincere. Maybe he was just hearing things. Maybe that rum got into his ear drums or something. “I’m sorry guys. I
just thought I heard something. Here, let’s just finish the story.” Glenn composed himself as best he could and continued to read.
“The Devil finally said that it was time to go. Jack couldn’t help but offer one more trick to the real world. He convinced the Devil that it
would be a real hoot if he changed himself into a sixpence to pay for their drinks. Then he said that the devil could just appear outside where Jack
would meet him. The Devil liked his style and agreed. That would be funny. So the Devil changed himself into the currency and Jack quickly grabbed
the coin and put it in his pocket where he had a sliver cross. The Devil was stuck. He couldn’t change back because of the silver cross.” Glenn
began laughing loudly. This book was too funny, and how about that Stingy Jack? He was clever to Glenn alright. Glenn could barely stop laughing
and then he heard that voice again.
How about that Stingy Jack Glenn? He’s a real clever cat. I could show you how to do this and that.
Glenn stopped and stared at the children in disbelief. Did they just say that? No way. They were looking at him as though they were looking at the
boogeyman. They wouldn’t dare interrupt him while he was having a good laugh. “Did you guys just say something?” Glenn asked nervously this
time.
“No Dad, we swear, no one said anything. Can we go to bed now?” His oldest son pleaded. He didn’t want to be embarrassed anymore with his
friends here. He hoped his Dad would let them go.