Trina first saw the android in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue.
It had golden gears, and a golden brown skin that sold separately.
Trina pulled out her bench and sat with her dolly, Madison.
‘He looks like Father?’ Trina said.
‘Your Father was shinier,’ replied Madison.
“Father twinkled like the moon on a windswept beach.”
Madison cringed and wrinkled her nose.
Trina continued: “Father was on a plane to Hawaii when the hurricanes struck. He went down like a meteor over Cher in Nantucket: poor father.”
“Why Cher in Nantucket?”
“She has the right syllables.”
Trina stood and moved the bench closer to the window.
‘The bot is browner than Father, but I rather like it.”
“Your Father didn’t have abs like that!”
Trina sat Madison on her lap. “How would you know!”
Madison giggled, “That day you left me in the bathroom; I watched
your Father take a bath.”
Trina was shocked and curious “Did you see ‘it’?”
‘What?’
“I guess not.”
“Your Father was hairy; that bot’s not hairy. Your father was old too.”
Trina opened her bag and pulled out a tea set.
Madison looked up in surprise: “Is that an elephant?”
Trina leapt to her feet: “It’s Anjana!” She hugged the elephant’s mighty trunk.
“And you’ve brought mice!
Seven mice dressed like dwarfs gazed up at Trina with quivering noses.
Anjana knelt and the mice scurried onto his back.
The android gazed at them blankly from the window of Saks Fifth Avenue.
“He looks like my Father,” said Trina.
“Where is your Father?” asked Anjana.
“He blew up during the First World War.”
Anjana raised his trunk and flicked a tear from his cheek, “How tragic.”
Madison rolled her eyes, “Some tea, Mr. Elephant?”
*
A week after Trina first spotted the android in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue he was gone.
She stared through her reflection in the window and wondered where he was.
The sky suddenly darkened and the shadow of a little boy stepped into view.
“Did you lose your boy again?” Trina asked.
The shadow boy sat on the sidewalk and sighed, “I lost my Father. He was a fighter pilot behind enemy lines in Atlanta. When Napoleon met his Waterloo; they shot him like a dog.”
Trina nodded sagely, “That’s exactly what happened to my Father.”
Madison scowled and popped a seam.
“Do you think he’ll come back to the window?” The little shadow boy sipped
his tea.
“I think he will.” Trina replied. “Let’s have a cupcake while we wait.
Rob Goldstein 2019
I wrote this for the monthly #writingprompt from D. Wallace Peach
You can join in here: Myths of the Mirror
A great fanciful story, Rob. Your pictures are always lovely. 😊 — Suzanne
Thank you for your visit and comment, Suzanne.
I enjoyed reading this story, Rob. I’m glad to see Trinia and the shadow boy. I was wondering what would happen to shadow boy from the last prompt and I was really glad to see him again.
Well, depending on the next prompt, they may find that android. 🙂
I hope that android didn’t fall out of the window to Saks Fifth Avenue! 🙂
🙂
I love it, Rob! I must say the prompt is quite magnificent, but your imagination knows no bounds. Congratulations! ♥
Thank you, Olga. Your comment made my day. 🙂
This story has a wonderful dreamlike quality which takes you into the world of characters.
Thank you, Adele. 🙂
Terrific fantasy Rob… and loved the players.. hugs
Thanks Sally, I appreciate it.
Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here.
Seriously good!
Thank you, Meeka.
I’ve always enjoyed your blog posts but I assumed your main thing was graphics. Nice to know you’re a dab hand with words as well. 🙂
My main thing is writing, but lately I’m focused on graphics. Thanks for the comment Meeka.
I’ve always known you for your amazing graphics. How little we know, right? Glad to get to know you and your work better. 🙂
Thank you for your comments and shout outs on twitter.
Nada. 🙂
Rob, you ran with this and hit new heights. I love it. I can see that it’s a smashing success with many others as well! Congratulations.
I was thinking how fun it was that you brought Trina back. Then when Anjana came out I was gleeful.
LOL, I hope poor Madison can get stitched up.
The image is gorgeous and perfect for the story.
You’re marvelous. Hugs on the wing.
Thank you, Teagan. I wrote the first line when I saw Diana’s prompt but had no idea whee it was going. That’s the fun part of writing. I gave her a doll named Madison because I’m such a big fan of bad puns. 🙂
Ha! My allergy hives must have reached my brain. I was too slow on the uptake. Of course, Dolly Madison! Ha! Yes, I love a pun too.
Well, my friend, between this story and the previous one, you single-handedly inspired me to pick up Diana’s challenge. I spent the morning working on my own. It’s not nearly as good as yours. It is not really even a “story,” but once again I’m using it to help me work on a future novel. Whether or not I actually use it is another matter, but these help me get into book brain. I’ll be posting mine on Wednesday. More hugs.
I’m glad you’re taking the challenge. I had an argument with myself over the use of that pun because it really is terrible but it’s consistent with Trina’s character.
Pshaw! I loved the pun.
Super story, Rob.
Thanks, John. It’s always nice to rumble around in the imagination.
Good way to put it. “Rumble around.” 😀
Love it! ❤️
Thanks, Laurel.
Excellent, Rob. I really enjoyed reading this little bit of fiction.
Thank you,. Dan. I had fun writing it.
Very great, Rob!
I seem to have fallen off many Follows, so find myself…re-following. I guess it’s a WP thing?
WordPress has been buggy as hell for at least a week.
Sigh!!! I just go with it! I just wish my email notifications would return. I’ve tried everything. It seems once gone, forever gone.
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
This was a unique and interesting way to use the prompt photograph, Rob. A great story.
Thank you, Robbie. I need to explore other prompts. My therapist thinks they help me to access my creativity.
Great imagination.
Thanks you, Trent.
I love the world through Trinia’s eyes. What a great fantasy Rob;)
Your comments on the last story came to mind while I drafted this one. I’m glad you like Trina. And I think you’ll really like my next post. 🙂
I will be watching for it:)
This line really got to me, Rob: She stared through her reflection in the window and wondered where he was.
I can feel the loss and sadness- well done!
Thank you, Jacquie. As usual I was uncertain of whether to post it so I’m blown away by how positive the comments are. 🙂
Never be uncertain, my friend. You’re super talented!
Thank you, Jacquie. You’re a treasure.
<3
This is wonderful Rob!
I’m so glad you like it. 🙂 I am so full of smiles right now.
It’s really fantastic! Cheers!
I like the way you show how the boundaries we make merge into those of other worlds. (K)
Thank you. 🙂
This is very whimsical Rob..you are a very good story teller 👏👏👏
Thank you, Mich. 🙂
Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
A magical story from Robert. He draws on characters from previous prompts to create this touching story. Enjoy.
This is wonderful, Robert. What a lovely whimsical imagination you have. And very clever to mix in the characters from past prompts. The childlike conversation struck me as so true to life from when I worked with young children dealing with loss. Well done.
Thank you, Diana. I had no idea where this was going when I wrote the first line.
You have a particular style all your own, Robert, and your stories are delightful. 🙂
Thank you, Diana. 🙂
What an imaginative use of the prompt, Rob! Well-done!
Thank you, Jan. I wish you could see the huge smile you just brought to my face.
Robert would you reblog, my reblog button still isn’t working. Thank you.
I certainly will. Thanks Melinda.
Thank you Robert!
My reblog button isn’t working either.
Good ole WP!!!!!! Things have been crazy for two weeks now.
Every so often WordPress goes all wonky.
to often lately!
Enchanting, Rob. I love how you linked all your stories for Diana’s challenge into this new story. ‘Madison scowled and popped a seam’ was my favourite line. I wonder if they will have a long wait for the android?
I’ve been doing research on your blog for the questions for your June feature and was somewhat influenced by Glimpses and your mentions of the Twilight Zone and the Black Mirror.