The full title for this Short Story is "It's Cold This Time of Year Where I Come From." |
It’s Cold This Time of Year Where I Come From Kullic looked at the temperature embedded on his wrist. “It’s ninety degrees.” After look up at the big tree next to him he finished what he said, “in the shade. No wonder I am sweating to death waiting for the Public Transport.” Looking up the street in the direction the Public transport was supposed to be coming Kullic said, mostly to himself since on one was on the Public Transport Bench, “Where is it?” Kullic looked at the time embedded on his other wrist. “It should have been here twenty minutes ago.” He waited another ten minutes. Then he heard a voice next to him ask, “Have I missed another Public Transport?” Kullic was so preoccupied with the late Public Transport he didn’t even notice a young female about his age sat down next to him on the Public Transport Bench. “No, you’re not too,” said Kullic. “The Public Transport is. It should have been here almost half an hour ago.” Suddenly Kullic did a double jerk of the head as though he was trying to stay awake. “I must be preoccupied because the Public Transport is so late,” he though silently to himself. Kullic started staring at the young female. Not because she was pretty – because she shouldn’t see if she was pretty or not. Even though she did look pretty from what he could see of her. It was because of what she was wearing. He barely had enough cloths on to cover up what needed to be covered up. She was wearing a lot of cloths. It looked like she was wearing all of the cloths she owned. “It’s ninety degrees – in the shade. How can you wear that many cloths without sweating to death? What are you trying to do lose weight the hard way?” “There are a lot of ways to lose weight like this,” said Corlota. But losing weight like this is the fastest way to do it. By the way my name is Corlota.” “So, you are losing weight?” Kullic couldn’t stop himself from staring at her. Sorry about that, I should have introduced myself right away. My name is Kullic.” “Nice to meet you Kullic,” said Corlota. “As for me losing weight I’m not trying to lose weight. I just said that to correct your thinking about what I am wearing – and why I was wearing it now.” “Why are you wearing it? Aren’t you sweating to death with all of those cloths on,” asked Kullic? “Actually. I am very cool with these cloths on,” replied Corlota. “It’s very cold this time of year where I come from.” “You must be from the North,” said Kullic. “How far North are you from here.” Corlota looked straight up – into the sky. Then she said, “It’s pretty far from here.” “What are you doing here? If it’s not too bold of me to be asking,” Kullic said. “It’s not too bold,” said Corlota. “I’m on vacation. I decided it was time for me to take a trip around your, this, world this year.” “A trip around Haggin, Wow! I’ve always wanted to do that. But I don’t have the Units to do it. Maybe someday I will. You, and/or your family, must be very well off – or is it rich.” “I’m not rich or well off. And my family isn’t either,” said Corlota. “I had to save up a long time to take this journey - trip.” “Sorry, again,” said Kullic. “I shouldn’t have said that about your family and wealth – or lack of either.” “There’s no reason to be sorry. You didn’t offend me,” said Corlota. “How do you like Haggin so far?” Corlota looked at him in shocked. “Does he know where I really come from,” Corlota thought to herself? “I like this world, it here, a lot,” Corlota corrected herself. But was it in time. Did Kullic figure out what was really going on there? She needs to be more careful how she speaks in the future. “I might even move here someday.” “I’m glad you like our little Community of CuWeen,” said Kullic. “But what about the cold?” Did Corlota do it again already. “It will take some adjusting,” said Corlota. “But I think I can do it – if I decide to move here. I still haven’t decided about that.” Suddenly Kullic jumped up. “It’s about time it got here.” Kullic was looking at the Public Transport getting closer and closer to them. He looked at the time again. “Forty-five minutes late. That’s isn’t too bad. It’s only a half hour late today.” When the Public Transport stopped the door slide open. The Driver looked down at Corlota, and Kullic, and smiled. “Welcome aboard.” As Corlota went past the Driver she heard him whisper, “Someone else trying to lose weight – the fast way.” Corlota had a big smile on her face as she walked down the aisle to find a seat in an almost empty Public Transport. Thinking to herself again, “I don’t mind at all what they think I am doing with all these clothes on. They will learn soon enough.” Kullic sat down next to Corlota. “You don’t mind if I sit next to you do you? This Public Transport is kind of crowded tonight.” Corlota smiled. She knew why he wanted to really sit down beside her. He was getting up the nerve to get her involved with a little romance – maybe more. “No, I don’t mind at all,” said Corlota. As she looked around at the others on that Public Transport she thought to herself. “There’s only about fifteen others here – including the driver and Kullic. Oh well. That will have to do for tonight. You will be my first victim. I sure am hungry tonight.” The End? |