Kicking the Bucket
(12/24/2008)

Blind, I follow wherever the neck of the bird leads me. “Rugburn, when you told me to keep a date open, I didn’t think you meant this kinda date.”

The skeevo stops, “It’s not THAT kind of date.” He starts up again.

“Oh, and I suppose next you are going to tell me that this blindfold isn’t any indication that it’s a blind date.”

“No, I just don’t want you to see where you are going.”

Why wouldn’t he want me to see where I’m going? Unless we were meeting a girl … “So, if this is not a date then I’m not meeting a girl.”

I hear the smile in his voice as he says, “I didn’t say that.” I tense a little. “All I said is that we are meeting a friend of mine.” Awww, crud. I am meeting a girl! What do I do? What do I do? “Be careful. We are going through a door. It’s on your right.”

I reach out and hold the door at bay as we step into a quiet room with many voices murmuring. My connection to the outside starts drifting to the left. “We are going to our table. Watch your step.”

Table? Tables? Voices … We must be in a restaurant. It is a date! With a girl! Trying to quell my rising fear, I make a lame joke, “Very funny. I’m still blindfolded.”

He ignores it. “Here we are. Ready?”

No, I’m not, but I should be. Do I say yes or no? “No?”

In response, he takes the blindfold off and my eyes blink to get adjusted to the light. Yes, I am in a restaurant. Yes this is a date. No, not a girl. “You’re not a girl,” I exclaim accusingly at the brown haired young man before me.

The young man looks surprised, but it’s Rugburn who answers, “No, he’s not.” The ostrich like bird chuckles a little. Gesturing at me and then to the one sitting he says, “Uncle Ben meet Lucky Bucket.” Then reversing the move, “Lucky meet Ben.”

“Hi,” Lucky says with a little wrist wave.

“And now I’ve got to go, I’ve got a race and a war to do. Enjoy.” The bird exits, but all I see is the boy in front of me.

“You. You are LuckyBucket46,” I ask surprised.

“Yes.”

Still not believing my ears, “THE LuckyBucket?”

Embarrassment beginning to show, “Yes, that’s me.”

“Oh man, you do amazing pictures and transformations and stories and Oh Wow I actually get to meet you and this is such an honor.” I take a breath and realize I’m acting like a fan, “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” says the totally embarrassed young man. A moment of uncomfortable silence follows, “Would you like to sit down?”

I realize I’m still standing while he is seated, “Right. Thanks.” I sit down. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right,” he says graciously.

“It’s just that I’m so new to Deviant Art and barely know anybody, and you, you do such great …” I stop myself from saying it all again.

“We were all new at one point.” The waiter comes over. “Shall we order?”

Still a little stunned at meeting him, I agree, “Yeah, sure.” We place our orders and the waiter leaves.

He smiles, “I bet you didn’t know that I use Paint.”

Surprised I exclaimed, “No way! They look so good.”

He laughs a little, “Way. All it takes is a little imagination and being able to see it.”

“I can see it, just not as good as you.”

“It comes with practice.”

The food arrives and we talk between bites and soon the table clears. Suddenly afraid that he’s going to leave and I’ll not have another chance like this again, I blurt out, “Can we be friends?”

He smiles, “Sure, but friendship is a two way street.”

“Right!” Happily I lean back in my chair, but then I realize that I can’t draw people. What am I going to do? I can’t draw.

My feet leave the floor. Oh no! I’m … I try to catch myself on the underside of the table, but find a shin instead.

“Ow!”

I hit the floor, “Ouch!” I get up rubbing my head and seeing everyone looking at me. I hang my head in embarrassment.

He grabs my arm and spins me around, “Let’s get out of here.” I take some money and toss it on the table. Then we head outside. Across the street is a park leading down to a river.

Out of sight of the restaurant, I feel something furry on my arm. I look at Lucky. His blue eyes turn to yellow and his brown hair turns silver and black fur starts covering his body. He quickly transforms into a black wolf. He sighs, “AAaahhhh. This is more like it.”

I step back in shock. I’ve never seen anyone do that before. “Lucky?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Oh. That’s cool.” Looking into his eyes, “Friends?”

“Friends.”

I smile in contentment. Maybe someday I can do something for him.