See You Later!

Dodger:  Hello there.  It's been a long time since we've talked.  Too long, I'd say.

Lilly:  Yeah...in fact, we've been away for a long time.  You see, the person who writes our adventures has been trying to figure out what he wants to write, and as a result has got a little stuck working with us.

Dodger:  We've had a lot of fun meeting all of you and learning with you over the last two years.  We've had our ups and downs, adventures we enjoyed and events we cringe upon looking back.

Lilly:  The three of us discussed it, though, and we think it's time to take a break.  Dodger and I are going to step away from this blog for a while.  We're not entirely sure how long, it might just be until the summer starts.  Or, when we come back, it might not even be here anymore.  It might be somewhere else completely!  We'll keep our names, though, so you'll know it's us!

Dodger:  This blog is going to stay up, but it might not be updated.  However, we are going to start chatting more regularly on Twitter, so if you want to know what we're up to you can either read the little Twitter bar to the right, or just follow us there.  Whatever works.

Lilly:  Whenever we finally get our own new site (or redo this old one) we can guarantee it'll be something we're all proud of.

Dodger:  Now, of course, this doesn't explain the story we've been working on.  Truth is, we're not entirely sure how it ends.  Maybe we'll find out one day, or maybe you already know.  Either way, the answer isn't going to be found here.

Lilly:  In essence, we loved being with you, and we look forward to meeting again.  It may take some time, but don't worry!  We'll be back one place or another, and definitely on social media.

Dodger:  So...yeah.  I guess that's it for the time being.  See you soon!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Ciao!

Past Tense.

     When the taxi pulled up to Dodger's house Lilly was a little surprised to see all the lights turned off.  She knocked on the door, however, and a second later Dodger opened the door.

      "So what's it all about, huh?" Lilly started to say, but Dodger just walked back into the house.  Lilly followed him in and noticed the lights were on in the living room, although they'd been off a few minutes ago.

      "Thanks for coming," said Dodger.

      "No problem.  Um, I have some questions for you."

      "Wish I could give you better answers.  I don't know how, but someone called me and warned me about the crosswalk.  I was given very specific instructions to use my mom's phone and- hey, when did it stop raining?"

       "Um, it didn't, Dodger.  It's still rain- huh!  It was when I pulled up."

       "Well, I wouldn't mind if it wasn't apparently perfectly dry outside!"

       "What?"

       "Look!"

       The two opened the door and looked outside.  Sure enough, the sun was shining and the whole area was precipitation free.  Slowly Dodger closed the door and the two walked into the kitchen.

       "This is just like being in an adventure story!" exclaimed Lilly as the two sat down at the table.  "Say, I could go for a bite."

       "Sorry," Dodger explained apologetically, "I've got nothing in the refrigerator at all."

       "Really?  Did it just disappear like the rain?"

       "So it seems.  I don't understand what's happening, but it's really strange.  Why are these little details different?  It's not like we're in an alternate universe or something."

       "Well, yeah.  But it's still really weird?  So you don't know who called you?"

       "Not a clue.  The voice sounded familiar, but that's all I know.  Still can't understand why I couldn't use my Dad's phone, though."

       "Wait.  Doesn't he take it with him everywhere?"

       "Well, yeah.  Oh, right.  But how did my mystery caller know that?  Why couldn't I just use my phone to call you?  I don't get it!  What does it all mean?"

       "Your guess is as good as mine, but I think we'd better find out.  Hey, isn't that your phone ringing?"

       "Huh, boy!  Number withheld. Hello?"

       It was the familiar voice, sure enough.

       "Did you have to invite Lilly over?"

       "Well, she is my best friend."

       "I know...in fact, to be fair, I would have done the same thing in your shoes.  Iron sharpens iron, as Proverbs 27:17 says."

       "Who are you, anyway?"

       "I really can't say."

       "I'll have to insist.  I don't know why, but you seem to know a whole bunch of stuff that no one else would or even could know!  The weather has changed almost instantly, the refrigerator is empty- I don't understand what gives, and I want to know NOW."

       "Put me on the line with Lilly, please."

       "Not until you answer my question."

       "Please."

       With a resigned expression Dodger passed the phone to Lilly.

       "Hello, stranger!  Why'd you want to talk to me?"

       "Would you believe it's because I wanted to chat with an old friend from the past?"

       "Ha!  Good one, Dodger!  Wait..."

Close Call.

Dodger glanced outside the window and sighed.  Another Christmas Day come and gone.  There was always a bit of letdown after the presents and the food and the family and friends had all gone.  It was a rainy day- not the kind of rain he liked, either.  His phone began to ring and he looked down.  The number was withheld.  Probably another telemarketer.  He ignored it and continued to stare outside the window.  The phone kept on ringing, however, until he finally stuffed it in the couch cushion to make it be quiet.

      "Yeesh, the thing never quiets down!  Whew, I think I'm getting a little grumpy.  Maybe I just need a bite to eat or something.  Mom and Dad are still out shopping for the New Year Bunco party.  Shoulda gone with them.  Well, I can at least grab some pie from the fridge."

      He approached the refrigerator and swung it open.  To his surprise it was empty, with not so much as a water pitcher inside.

      "Oooookay.  So where did all the food go?"

      He walked back into the living room a little perplexed.  His phone was still ringing, number still withheld.

      "Ugh, fine!" he grumbled, pushing the answer button, "Hello?"

      From the other end of the line came a strangely familiar voice that he couldn't quite place.  "Hello, Dodger?"

      "Speaking.  What is it?"

      "I need you to listen to me."

      "Doing so."

      "Okay.  You went to the refrigerator a few minutes ago and found it empty."

      "What?  How did-"

      "You're currently staring out the window on a rainy day in your living room."

      "Hey!  Stop spying-"

      "Not spying, Dodger."

      "Than who are you?"

      "I'm sorry I can't say, but I can tell you this.  Get your mother's phone- NOT your dad's, and call Lilly this second."

      "What?  Why?"

      "Because she is about to cross a crosswalk and a motorist will be coming through who won't be paying attention."

      "That doesn't even-"

      "Dodger.  Please.  Call her now."

      Dodger picked up his mother's phone and dialed Lilly.



      "Wow!  I can't believe how crowded everything is today!" remarked Lilly.  "It's almost as if everyone had to be somewhere.  Well, I'll cross here and then I can go to Dairy Queen."

      As she approached the crosswalk her phone rang.  "Oh, it's Dodger's mom.  Better pick it up.  Hello?"

      "Hey, Lilly?"

      "Oh, hi, Dodger!  What's up?"

      "I'm not sure.  I need you to do something for me."

      "Yeah?"

      "Wait for the traffic cycle at the crosswalk to go all the way through once.  Don't cross yet."

      "Hold on, how did you know I was at a traffic light?"

      "I'll have to tell you that in a moment.  Just hang on, okay?  Wait for a cycle."

      "Well, okay.  The light just turned green for me to cross though."

      "I know, but just stay put."

      "Sure thing- WOAAA!"

      "Lilly!  What happened?  Are you alright?"

      "Yeah, yeah.  Someone just sped through the red light without even slowing down!  He would have clobbered me for sure!  Whew, I'm glad you warned me because- Dodger," Lilly's voice sank to a whisper, "How did you know to warn me?"

      "Can you come here?"

      "Will you answer my question?"

      "Not here.  I have a feeling you wouldn't hear my answer over the phone.  Let's just say..." his voice trailed into a bunch of static, and the call dropped.

      Lilly stared at her phone for just a second, then looked up to see a taxi cab approaching the crosswalk.

      "Taxi!"