Dreams In Wonderland

                                                                       
Word count: 4,440


                                                                   
Dreams in Wonderland

I named that wisp of a stray dog Toto.  It was the beginning of the strangest adventure I ever had, and some trouble too. Please, I beg of you, don't ask me why I named him Toto.  It was just one of those things, you know?

He was wet and hungry when I found him under the old two-wheel wagon in Mr. Dempsey's stable.  All I could see was a pair of burning eyes ogling me suspiciously and a big ugly cut on one ear.  Actually, the ear was torn, giving the poor thing a terrible look.

It took a while to gain his trust and bring him out from under the wagon.  I used the whiff of one of Miss Annabelle's sweet rolls, which I happened to have in my pocket and moved it to-and-fro at ground level. It brought him out in no time. After that, he was all over me.  I took him to Mama Holster, because there is no one in a hundred miles around that can fix wounded animals like Mama Holster.

She wanted to know if I'm going to keep that poor bastard, 'cause, she said she ain't goin' to waste her precious ointment on a stray.  So, would YOU have said you're not keeping him?  I said yes, he'll be mine from that day on, and when she said I must name him I said Toto, and it was over and done with.

That was how I came to be Toto's owner. His ear remained in its half version and it didn't even hurt his hearing none.  Even when he was well fed, he remained a tiny dog, but he barked in a shrieking high pitch that could bring the sheriff running.  The poor thing followed me everywhere and he became a laughingstock to my friends. You don't wanna' know what names they called him… But I wouldn't let them kick him or anything.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about ME.  My name is Kevin.  I'm 13 and live around the corner from Dempsey's stable, in the attic of the Guns and Roses Saloon.  No, you don't have to raise a brow and say it ain't a proper place for a boy to live in.  I'll have you know that it's clean, well aired and if not for the big heart of Miss Annabelle, I would have lived in the streets.  She’s always treated me like I was her real son, even though she ain’t never had no kids. Why, she’s the closest thing to a momma that I’ve ever known.

Where are my parents you ask?  Well, as long as I can remember, I've been asking the same question.  I must have had parents at some stage of my life, but they chose to dump me and vanished like a rabbit into its hole.  I think I don't need them anymore, 'cause I've got a good name, Kevin Horseshoe, and I have a place to stay and I've got Toto too.
Mrs. Annabelle calls me Kevin Horseshoe on account of the horseshoe that was with me when she found me. I’ve still got it, too.  It must bring me good luck, since it brought me to Mrs. Annabelle. Besides, I'm kind of used to having it under my pillow when I go to sleep.

My adventure started on a cold winter morning, when the winds were blowing hard.  I decided to stay in my attic, play with Toto and work on my painting.  Christmas was only a week away and I was busy preparing a special picture for Miss Annabelle.  I sat at the small table and got out the packet of crayons I'd bought from Joshua's General store.  He was really nice when I came with my hard saved pennies to buy the crayons and found I was 3 pennies short.  He said I must bring them another time, and let me have the crayons. He even added a couple of drawing sheets for me to do my painting on.

I thought I'd draw for Miss Annabelle the world she was always talking about, a place of wonders and miracles, where people are dressed up nicely and ladies are respected and rich.  Yes, she'll keep it by her bed and will look at it every night before going to sleep.

I always expected 'em rich people to be honest and God-fearing folks.  It took me no time to learn their true nature, and mind you, with what I'd been through, it is most hard to surprise me.  I'd found some of them to be cheaters and scoundrels. The richness they had made them look upon ladies as dirt and use them… you know… Kids like me can't get from them even a nice 'Good morning' greeting when walking in the same street.  Their ladies would gather their skirts when they pass near me, as if to avoid touching a filthy animal. And they are not true to each other neither.   

I don't know where you come from, Listener, but here, we have Bible Laws about what should take place between Ladies and Gentlemen.  If a good young girl wants to marry, it is up to her mother and grandmother to seek the right betrothed.  Money and riches are important, but, before all else, the man must be honest and true to his family.

Ok. Let me go on with my story. I will tell you what brought Toto and me into the heart of the Trouble... You want to hear about it, don't you?

When I started to color-in the picture, I didn't notice at first that the crayons I was using had different colors to what they were supposed to.  I wanted Miss Annabelle's dress to be bright red, like the red velvet draperies she had in her drawing room, but each time I used the red crayon, the color came out blue like the sky.  Strange things were going on… and Toto jumped on my lap and stared at the street I had drawn, with Miss Annabelle standing there and all the people around her giving her curtsy and smiling widely. 

Toto started scratching the road, the one that took me hours to paint.  I made it paved with bricks, unlike our dirt roads that become muddy every time the rain is pouring.  Toto jumped on the table and got hold of the yellow crayon, holding it between his teeth.  He then dropped it on my painting and with his paw pushed it until it lay on my brick road.  He wanted me to paint the road yellow, but I told him the crayons had a mind of their own and it would probably come out purple or some other disgusting color.  Toto barked, and I was afraid he might get Mrs. Annabelle’s attention, so I took the yellow crayon and started painting the road with it. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, after all. The crayon felt strange in my hand, and when I looked at it more carefully, I saw it had eyes and a mouth and one of the eyes winked at me.  I dropped it to the table like hot coals. It must have been bewitched… Never seen anything like it!

Stop that smirk, Listener.  You think I was chickened by a piece of crayon?  Surprised I was. 'Tis all.  I took a deep breath, shook my head and looked better at it.  You won't believe what it actually looked like. Thin like the crayon it was, the face was longish with bright shiny eyes that rolled in their sockets and could see to all four sides of the winds.  I was no more afraid of it, 'cause it was so funny…  I said 'Hi' but its mouth remained shut.  The only thing it did was wiggle on the table, as if wanting me to pick it up again. So, I made myself a promise to check that matter, another time; I had to finish my gift for Annabelle. I picked up the bewitched crayon. Right away, it turned its eyes towards my painting like trying to see it.  I twisted my hand a bit so it could have a perfect view of the table.  I must have done something right, 'cause its eyes began to roll faster and faster until I could barely hold it. Then it calmed and behaved like a crayon.

I painted the brick road, ignoring the winking eyes.  It came out yellow alright, and when I was done, Miss Annabelle looked like a real queen, standing on that road.

I took the picture to the window, where there was more light.  I wanted to see the colors.  The picture was ruined with strange shades that don't exist…  Damn crayons.  I knew then why Mr. Joshua gave them to me, not minding I was 3 pennies short… they were spoiled crayons!  I'll tell him to forget about those pennies! 

Toto came down from the table and started pulling at my pants.  "Toto, let me look at the picture.  I'll take you for your walk in a minute," I said, but he barked in return, so I went to the door to open it for him, thinking he can manage the stairs leading to the ground floor and pushing the trap door which was installed in the main door, just so he could go out on his own.  I knew he would water the Magnolia tree at the back.  Still holding the painting in my hand, As I pushed the door handle down to let Toto out, it flew open, nearly hitting me in the face.  A strong gust of wind blew in and sucked poor Toto and me into a fast swirl that carried us out of the house and up towards the sun.

Yes.  'tis what happened.  I don't tell no fairy tales.  Honest to God!  My heart was beating fast and my eyes blinded by the strong yellow light.  Toto was floating somewhere above my head, and so was the yellow crayon, which had grown tiny wings and was floating easily near Toto's disfigured ear.  I reached for Toto, pulling him down, and the crayon just flew into my arms, then moved to nestle on my shoulder.

Toto seemed to be faint, his eyes closed and his heart hammering against his ribs.
I gathered him to me and held him tight.  Wherever we were, at least I had Toto to keep me company.  The magical crayon flapped its tiny wings and winked. I don't know what part that little yellow creature played in the events, but he was sure keeping an eye on things.

You sound skeptic, Listener.  You think I'm making this story up?  Why would I?  It is true, as true as the story about the bullfrog that went to bed with Widow Wilson… I swear on my horseshoe that everything happened just the way I say.  So what happened next?  Nothing much.  We had fallen down into a place of wonders.  It was just like the dreams that Miss Annabelle told me.  Someone must have listened to her and made up a place just like it.

Toto came round as soon as my feet touched the ground.  He jumped down, and I watched him to see where he was going. I looked around, surprised to see we were standing on a brick road, a YELLOW brick road.  Strange… I thought it only existed in my ruined picture…

It could take weeks to tell you Listener about that place.  What I saw on both sides of that road exists only in Fairy Tales. Small houses that look like giant mushrooms with red tiled roofs, some with crooked chimneys and some with weather vanes.  Each house surrounded by trees and flowers, and I could tell which were the apple trees; they were red and their fresh smell made my mouth water.  A movement in one tree had caught my eyes.  A couple of squirrels climbed from branch to branch, carrying a basket full of nuts.  Wow!  Someone took care of them before winter and saved them the hard work of collecting their food. A peaceful and secure place to live in! 

However, they were not the only living creature I'd seen.  I know a squirrel when I see one, but the things moving up and down the tree were something that bogged down my imagination. I thought at first they were ants, giant ants, like I'd never seen in this size before.  A closer look at them, from the edge of the road told me that they were actually small rats with six legs and a short snout.  Their skin was white with yellow spots on it. From a distance, they did look like ants.  Bizarre animals.  Perhaps they were squirrel eaters! I guess I'll never know.
 
Toto started chasing his tail; mighty happy to be standing on that yellow road.  Beats me why.  I said, "Toto, pull yourself together!  We don't know what this place is!  All these flowers and fruits around us might be poisonous or men-eating plants…  Stay close to me and mind your step.  I don't want you to fall into a rabbit hole…"

The yellow crayon circled Toto in a quick swirl, drawing a bright arrow in the air.  Then it started to fly away from us.  As soon as the arrow moved, I felt movement under my feet and nearly toppled down.  You should have been there, Listener, to see the road moving under our feet, carrying us with it.  It was much like the stories of Aladdin flying on a carpet, only we remained on ground level. That was why I was scared none.

Standing on a moving road is much like riding a tricycle.  You can see the houses and people move to the opposite direction of where you're going.  I could feel a steady trembling under my feet, but no noise. Quiet as a boat on the river.

The road knew where it was going.  It headed towards the big mountain which I saw beyond the trees and the houses.  It was a funny looking mountain; Thick at its base and pointy at the top, like a witch's hat.  It also had the most unusual colors - half blue and half red, and a yellow line separating the colors.

The crayon saved me and Toto a long walk.  I found my balance after a time and kept looking towards the big mountain, for I had known, in some mysterious way, that we were going to end up there. 

I had a strange feeling that the yellow line on the mountain was the one and same yellow brick road that was still moving under our feet.  You say I should have gotten off that road?  You don't think I am smart enough to have thought about it myself?  Well, I am, and I did try to get off it, but there was an unseen something that wouldn't let Toto or me get off it.  We were in a magical wonderland and I was kinda' looking forward to seeing what lay ahead. But, and if you'll ever repeat what I'm going to say, my horseshoe will hunt you down and destroy you.  What is so awful that you mustn't tell?  Just that I was so scared when the brick road started to move that I… I mean… It was … Anyone would have died of pure panic.  But all I did was wet my pants.  Just a little.  I couldn't avoid it.  Swear now that you won't tell.  Good.  I trust you.

I picked up Toto and said to him not to worry, but I was getting worried.  All around us, the trees and the wonderful flowers danced to a soft tune which seemed to come from the mountain.  The closer we got to it, the bolder the colors around us became and the louder the music.  The road seemed to increase its pace and when it started to climb up the mountain, I was going to die of fear.

My feet must have been glued to the road, or else I can't explain how come I didn't fall off it. Sometimes it looked like we were hanging upside down, but somehow it felt we were just standing there on a normal road. It took us all the way up the mountain, and hard to believe, we made it!  But, wait, that was only the beginning.  What happened next will blow your mind. I promise you!

At the top, the road turned sharply into an unusual garden, and came to a stop.  I stood still, getting used to staying in one spot without the scene moving around me. That place wasn't like any garden I'd ever seen.  The main path was made of yellow glass bricks and the other paths were each a different color.  The garden itself was full of bushes and tree, that didn't look real.  They looked more like they were made of marzipan, you know… like the stuff the baker's wife uses on wedding cakes, that sweet tasting dough I always get from her when I help her carry the flour bags inside. Well, that's what the garden looked like.  When I saw Toto jumping off the path and munching on one of the flowers and my little yellow crayon having a feast on those leaves, I knew I wasn't wrong. 

Three paths opened from where we'd stopped. I chose the yellow one and walked straight ahead.  After a while, I reached a round glass cabin. I stopped at the door and looked at the sign on it.  It said "Welcome to Wonderland, Kevin ".  How they figured my name I can't tell you, but a horseshoe was glued on the sign.  It looked matching to the one under my pillow. That gave me the chills.  Knowing my name was one thing, but having a twin horseshoe meant trouble...

I tried to take the horseshoe off the sign but as soon as I touched it, the door opened and Toto ran ahead of me barking gaily. The crayon, on the other hand seemed reluctant to enter.  I decided that I didn’t really have any choice, though, so I just went ahead and followed them inside.

There was only one room in that cabin, but it was as big as Mr. Cooper's barn, you know, where we have the monthly dances.  I saw you there, Listener, kissing that fat redhead. No, I won't tell anyone.  Cross my heart and hope to die!  So, you'll hear my story until I'm done?  Yeah, I thought you would. 

Furniture of all sorts filled that huge room.  Some of it velvet like in Annabelle's place, some like the Saloon with tables and chairs, some like bedrooms in people's houses and one corner looked like the church kitchen where we help when there's a wedding.

So many people were moving around, my head got dizzy.  A few I knew and most were strangers.  The ones I knew were waving at me, smiling and clapping hands.  I had no idea what they were doing there or how they got there, but I intended to find out.  The whole thing didn't make no sense to me.  How could they all be there?  Me and Toto - we took the Yellow Brick Road, and we had the winking crayon, but the others?  They didn't have my painting to begin with…  You agree?  What?  No.  you weren't  there… Yes I'm sure.  But your fat friend was there with the baker's son.  No, I'm not lying. Now, let me go on with the story.

I wanted to go greet Miss Annabelle who sat like a queen in a large armchair.  Dressed in a red velvet creation, to match her velvet draperies.  She was talking to some young men who were dressed like Abraham Lincoln in those old pictures, all smiles and wide hand movements.  It was just like in her dreams.

In a far corner, I saw the widow Wilson in the arms of a hefty man, dancing to the music that was playing softly.  They were moving gracefully, and when the man swirled her around I got a chance to see his face.  Did I know him you ask?  You bet your silver dollar on it!  It was the same bullfrog I put in the widow's bed, the month before. Yes.  It was me who put that green monster in her bed… Why?  That's a different story.  But he was there in that cabin, dressed like a gentleman, dancing with her.  Don't ask me how that was possible, because I can't tell you.  All I know is what I saw.  You want to know what a frog dressed like a gentleman looks like?  I'll tell ye'. He certainly gained a couple of feet in height. His limbs somehow were straightened out but his face was the most peculiar sight; Bulgy eyes, no eyebrows and a flat nose.  His skin tone was pale green, shiny with brown patches.  He was a sore sight to any eye.  I'd say he was repulsive.  What could the Widow Wilson possibly see in him is beyond me.

Then it came to me.  If I was in wonderland, anything was possible.  Miss Annabelle was living in one of her dreams, so who knows what the widow was dreaming about when she found my frog in her bed.  Perhaps this was her dream. I thought that if they were having their dreams come true, there must be something for me too… and I went looking for it. Thought I ought to find that magic crayon.  I had the thought that maybe he was the one that had made all of this possible…         

I turned around towards the entrance door, and there stood my yellow crayon, only he was no longer a tiny winged crayon.  He was a full-size wizard, pointed hat and all.  Honest-to- God, Listener.  A real wizard!  He wore a bright yellow robe and held his wand in his left hand, while his other hand pointed to the middle of the room.  I looked there.

A young woman stood by herself, holding a baby in her arms.  She was dressed in tattered clothes, and her hair covered with an old scarf.  I could see that she was crying.  Her eyes were so swollen she could hardly see.  I thought I knew her, but as I came closer, I realized she was a stranger.  Never seen her around before.  She looked frightened and peeked over her shoulder every now and then.

I wanted to go talk to her, but as soon as I started to move toward her, a man came running from the kitchen corner.  He had a small box in his hand, which he handed to the woman.  HE was someone I knew very well - the son of the richest man in the province - Jake Love.  He said nothing, just gave the baby the eye, touched him and then disappeared amidst the crowds at the other end of the room.

What was in the box, you ask?  I was wondering about it myself.  It had a yellow glow to it, and everybody in the room seemed to be looking that way, but I was more curious to find out why I was there.  I turned and started to walk away when I heard a sharp cry coming from the woman.  Turning back, I saw her crouching on the floor, the baby still clasped to her chest.

She looked pale and fragile, and I knew she was dying.  I don't know how I knew it, I just did. I could smell death in the air.  With her last breath, she handed me the box and said in the flimsiest voice, "This is his.  Be good to him… give him to a good family… he's of good stock and one day… one day… Her last breath came out as a low moan, and she died right there, still holding the baby in her arms.

Of course I took the box.  A dying wish is sacred, isn't it?  The wizard picked up the baby and gave him to me.  I went to find Miss Annabelle.  She would know what to do.  When she saw me, she came forward and took the baby, which was a relief, because he was all wet and smelly.  I told her about the baby's mother and Miss Annabelle went to see the woman.  She lay in a still growing pool of blood, her face frozen in its agony. When Miss Annabelle was satisfied that the mother was indeed dead as I said, she wanted to know if the woman gave me anything,  perhaps a letter or a family heirloom by which the baby could be identified.  I gave her the box and while handing it to her I saw that something was engraved on it.  Couldn't read it though, 'cause it wasn't facing me. 

Miss Annabelle went back to her chair, put the baby into it and opened the box.  Out came a packet of letters tied with a pink ribbon, one gold dollar and a horseshoe.  My horseshoe.  I could identify it anywhere…

The wizard gave me a wink and disappeared, and I knew why he went to all the trouble of bringing me to Wonderland.

What was my horseshoe doing in that box, you ask?  I didn't know then, but I know now.  That's why I said it was all big trouble…  No, I'm not crying… why should I cry?  I'm happy!  Had an adventure… met the wizard…  In my dream… went to wonderland… what did I get?  Something nice?  Something I wanted?  No!  Found who my bloody father was!  Forget the name Horseshoe!  It ain't mine.  Kevin Love…  written on the box… I don't want to be Kevin Love… That yellow crayon started it all!  When I told Miss Annabelle about my dream, she went to her chest, got out a box.  In it was a packet of letters tied with a pink ribbon which she handed to me and said, "This is your dream! Now go claim your heritage!"

What do you mean you don't believe me?  You think I'm just a good for nothing boy who lives in a whorehouse?  Then, what are these?  And I handed him my father's letters, tied nicely with a pink ribbon. 

I must have wanted all my life to find my true parents, and the most amazing thing was that I never realized it until that Listener said I was lying about who I really was.


Hanna © August 2003

Revised:  November 2013