Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: NOISE (05/03/18)
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TITLE: Pink Courage | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
05/10/18 -
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Peaceful minutes passed, until I heard him approach. Slow, heavy footsteps thumped, one at a time, up the cement stairs outside my window. His apartment door opened, and then slammed shut.
I hugged my pillow to my chest; please stop him tonight.
I waited and held my breath in the stillness.
Then boom, blasted the bass. The sound of guitars squealed through the walls. Drums pounded in my ears.
“Nooooo!” I yelled into the darkness, “not again. I have a full day tomorrow.”
I sat up and threw my legs over the side of the bed, while amplifiers surged. My feet hit the course carpet and I ran to the living room. Vibrations shook my insides as rock and roll engulfed me.
I leaned against the adjoining wall with my hands around my mouth.
“Turn down your music!” I bellowed.
Pain shot through my fists as I beat the wall. “Stop the noise!”
The electric guitar screeched like the sound of an angry falcon.
My heart beat wildly as I grabbed the phone receiver. I punched in the memorized number.
Her voice trembled when she answered. “Hello?”
“I am so sorry to bother you again at this late hour Mrs. Rivera, but my neighbor is blasting his music again.”
A long pause, then in her soft voice said, “I’ll be right up.”
I hung my head as I replaced the receiver in the phone cradle.
I held back the curtains and peered through my front window as the music continued to shake the floor beneath my feet. Mrs. Rivera, dressed in her pink velour bathrobe, grasped the iron railing and slowly climbed the stairs.
Her pink slippers peeked out from beneath her robe as she stepped off the last stair. A knobby index finger pushed the doorbell.
The blaring continued.
She pushed the doorbell again and knocked loudly on the door, to no avail.
The landlady then pulled a large ring of keys out of her robe pocket. She clumsily went through them, and then chose one. With some hesitation, she opened the neighbor’s door, and then slowly entered.
I pressed my palms against my temples to stifle the throbbing. I bowed my head, when suddenly the music stopped. “Thank you Jesus!” I watched Mrs. Rivera exit the apartment and close the door behind her. In the dimness, she glanced my way, then took hold of the railing and carefully descended the stairs.
I will have to thank her tomorrow. Sleepiness overtook me and I returned to bed. As I fell in and yanked the covers up to my chin, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Boom went the amplifier and shook my bed.
“Nooooo!” I turned on my stomach, pressed the pillow over my head, and surrendered to a sleepless night.
***
As I poured my fourth cup of coffee I shook my head. With a stumble, I returned to the kitchen table and fell into a chair. The words were blurred in my open Bible.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV)
“Boy, am I going need your help today Lord.”
A loud knock caused me to jump. With a push out of my chair, I tiptoed to the eyehole and peered out. It was him. “Mr. Rock and Roll.” My heart thumped and I paused. The second knock was louder and more forceful. I took a deep breath, unhooked the chain, and partially opened the door.
“Yes?” I whispered through the crack.
His droopy eyes stared at me while he shook the hair out of his face. He threw a cigarette butt on the ground.
“I’m moving out.”
I pulled the door open wider and watched him, while my heart picked up speed.
He looked past me and nodded. “You reading the Good Book?”
“Uh, yes, I read it every day.”
He looked back at me. His blood shot eyes moist. “Maybe that’s what I should do.” He ducked his head, picked up a large box and started down the stairs. With a glance back at me he nodded as he continued down.
“Sorry I kept you awake,” he called over his shoulder.
I swallowed hard and watched as he walked away.
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Well done,
Blessings~