PETTY TEDDIE

The silence of the room rocks every so slightly as if to nurture the sleeper's dreams. The
muted light from the stars and moon invade through curtains drawn",then settle in a glow
of peace upon their faces. Geoff and Debbie's dreams should be sweet, for they are
young and their jobs are filled with promise. Nobody could want for more, they have the
world in their pocket. Nine thirty seems early to be in such a sound sleep as this, but the
baby rattle sticking out from under the bed makes for understanding.

Right down the hall  is a room very different.  The night lamp making golden hues and sinister shadows that roll over the
images of fun and love. Tiger, Hippo and Mr. Clown wait for the sun in eerie silence with
Old McDonald's farm and the spinning top. For then maybe if only for a fleeting moment
they will have life born from the imagination of Ashley who's not yet one.

Their hope for life is somewhat desperate for reasons they can never understand. To rise with the sun and live a full day after day they will never know, for that is only for the chosen.
This room has chosen, and though they seem an unlikely trio they are held in the highest
regard.

First it's the Puff Man, at least that's what daddy calls him. A rabbit by design,
but best friend and companion by fantasy. Why him? Maybe it's his pink softness or his
white ruffled dress. More likely it's his huge blue eyes and the red of his shiny round
nose that draws Ashley to single him out above all others.

To look at Baby makes you realize the simplicity of a child's mind. Compared to the
multitude of other toys displayed around the room with their splashes of every color and
wide variety of buttons and bows, Baby is quite plain. One look at the expression that
come from her pink pool eyes and her small but comfortable size makes you understand
why Ashley gets the feeling not only of safety but also control form her chosen little
friend.

Then we come to the old standard. Everybody knows that a nursery is not a nursery with
out a teddy bear. Teddie is covered with a light brown fur that has quickly lost it's
softness. His beady black eyes and his button nose are arranged in a scowl as if he is mad
and seems to hold no mystery or fun. Maybe that is the reason why even though he is a
chosen his life is only bed time and early morning;

"Here it is another night, another long stupid night. What am I doing I'm just sitting here
waiting for the little princess to wake up. Maybe today, maybe today I will live all the
way through breakfast, fat chance. I got about as much of a shot of that happening as the
world has of turning into chocolate cake. No it's never me it's always that dope the Puff
and that sickening little rag of a doll, Baby", Teddie says in a raspy whisper of hate.

"Ssssssssssssh; for pete sakes I can't believe you're going to start this crap, what is this, an
every night thing. You keep it up, and wake up Ashley you might be sent to nowhere like
Gruffy, poor soul will never know so much as a glimpse of what you don't appreciate",
Puff Man says with his aggravation taking some of the rolling happy style from his voice.

"Shut up you pink punk. Who the hell died and left you boss? Don't wake up Ashley,
don't wake Ashley. If you wake up the little god Ashley she will send you to nothing. I'm
tired of that crap.  It's not fair that
my life hangs on the whims of a little dope that can't even talk yet", Teddie hisses,

As hate spirals out of control. He stands and stomp towards Ashley on his
furry little feet.

"Oh Ashley here I come. I'm going to have some fun. You know what fun is don't you
Ashley. I'm not talking that run of the mill crap, like peek-a-boo or patty cake", Teddie
whispers as he stands next to the sleeping Ashley's head.

He looks up to the ceiling and squeezes his little fur paws. With
button eyes closed he is screaming in whispers. "Ooooooool Great Pumpkin or what ever
the power may be. Grant me two wishes and forever set.  If only I had claws, I could tear her to pieces, better
yet give me teeth, and I'll eat her. "

Even through his wishes are never granted he always tries as if there's comfort in the
hope.  The top of the crib, the distance seems so far away.
A thought starts to simmer, and then boils and burns.  He starts to climb.


Sitting on top of the crib Teddie feels a maddening power. He looks down at little
Ashley who sleeps and sweetly dreams.

"Yeah this will do just fine. I should be able to smash her empty little head from this height." Teddie hisses satisfied with his plan.

TED WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?