The Possum, Part 1

 

Image by Image Art

  Written by R.L. Whitmire The Possum, Part 2

 This story was refined with the help of AI language models

The Unexpected Visitor

Once upon a midnight in a quiet suburban home, a curious possum found its way inside through the screen of the patio door. Unbeknownst to the family residing there, the possum began its exploration, venturing into rooms and corners, driven by its natural instinct to explore. As fate would have it, the possum eventually found itself in the bedroom of the homeowners’ daughter.

It was around midnight when their daughter, groggily waking up, stumbled out of bed to use the bathroom. Unaware of the unexpected visitor lurking in the shadows, she returned to her bed, hoping to drift back to sleep. However, her movements and the soft rustling of bed sheets disturbed her parents, causing them to wake up as well.

Confused by the sudden disturbance, the daughter reached for the light switch, flicking it on and off repeatedly in an attempt to discern what had startled her. Sensing that something was in her room, the daughter called out to her mother, her voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion.

“Mom!” she exclaimed, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. Startled, her mother quickly switched on the bedside lamp. She walked into her daughter’s bedroom to find her daughter wide-eyed with fear. The daughter said, “Mom, there’s something in my room.” The mom said, “there’s nothing in here, you’re having a bad dream.” No, mom, it wasn’t a dream. I felt it walking on my bed.” The mom replied, “well, I don’t see anything, so it must be gone”.

Dad to the Rescue

The scene was set, with the father lying in his bed, detached from the ongoing conversation between his daughter and an unseen, imaginary monster. As he lay there, his paternal instincts kicked in, and he realized it was time to fulfill the classic "dad" duty. He decided he needed to venture into his daughter's bedroom to confront the imaginary threat, just as fathers often do in stories and in real life.

To truly appreciate the upcoming part of this story, it's essential to have some background knowledge about the father's physical condition. He was a bilateral BK (below-the-knee) amputee, which meant he had lost both of his legs below the knee. At night, he usually slept with his prosthetic limbs removed, seeking comfort without their constraints. Additionally, he wore corrective glasses to aid his vision but had taken them off before going to bed, creating another layer of vulnerability.

Despite his physical limitations and the added challenge of not having his prosthetic limbs or glasses, the father was determined to be the protector his daughter needed. He swung his legs out of bed and gingerly lowered himself onto his hands and knees, showing remarkable determination and courage. Crawling across the floor, he made his way to his daughter's bedroom, guided only by the dim ambient light filtering in from the hallway.

Inside the room, his voice trembled with a mix of bravery and parental care as he asked his daughter, "Where's it at?" His daughter, who had been chatting with the imaginary monster, pointed toward her desk, her face a mixture of fear and excitement. "It's over there, on my desk," she replied, her voice quivering.

With his heart pounding and his imagination alive, the father cautiously approached the desk, ready to confront the monstrous threat, whatever form it may take. The dim room held an air of suspense, as father and daughter joined forces to face the unknown, their bond growing stronger through this shared moment of bravery and protection.

A Possum Encounter

The father, determined to "kill" the imaginary monster and reassure his daughter, inched closer to her desk, his heart still racing from the unexpected adventure. His right hand hovered over the desk, poised to strike the threat that lurked in the dimly lit room. "Okay, where is it at? I'm gonna kill it!" he announced, convinced that a swift desk-slap would vanquish the monstrous illusion, allowing them to return to the safety of their dreams.

However, the daughter's response caught him off guard. With urgency in her voice, she exclaimed, "Dad! It's right there in front of you!" Her words sent a shiver down his spine, and he realized that there was indeed something in front of him.

As his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, he found himself staring into the dark, beady eyes of a creature. It was no imaginary monster; it was a real, living possum. The creature had a long, snarling snout that measured over six inches, with a row of menacing, razor-sharp teeth exposed as it hissed and snarled menacingly.

The father's initial reaction was one of shock and disbelief. "Holy crap! It's a possum!" he exclaimed, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Without hesitation, the mother and daughter, equally horrified, screamed and fled the room, their terror driving them to seek safety elsewhere.

The father, his instinct for protection still very much alive, was right behind them, crawling as fast as he could on his hands and knees. He reached the doorway and, with trembling hands, quickly slammed the door shut, hoping to confine the uninvited guest to his daughter's room.

Realizing that the situation demanded more than crawling on his hands and knees, he rushed into his bedroom. With determination and speed, he put on his prosthetic limbs. After a few minutes, he emerged from his bedroom, now standing at his full height of about six feet, with the prosthetics supporting him. He felt a newfound sense of authority and control.

He looked down the stairs and saw wife and daughter standing on chairs, their faces contorted in terror as they clung to each other. With a hint of amusement, he hollered out to them, "Hey! You two do know that possums can climb trees, right?" Their response was swift and unequivocal: "We don't care! Get that ugly possum out of the house!" Their demand echoed through the house, reinforcing the father's role as the fearless protector, ready to face the unexpected and, this time, armed with his prosthetic limbs to do so.

The Canine Observer

Amidst the chaotic scene unfolding in the house, the father's son and their faithful "watchdog" remained blissfully unaware of the commotion. The son's bedroom, conveniently located next to his sister's, was a haven of tranquility, undisturbed by the drama playing out just a wall away.

Their loyal "watchdog" was a remarkable character in her own right, an 80-pound black lab/collie mix who believed with unwavering conviction that every rustling leaf and every fallen twig outside posed an imminent threat to the family. To her, these innocuous outdoor elements were on a mission to "kill" the family, and she took her duty as the designated protector very seriously. At the slightest provocation, she would launch into a frenzied display, dashing from window to window, barking with a fierce intensity, snarling, and even frothing at the mouth as she defended her family from these perceived threats.

Yet, in a strange twist of irony, amidst all her vigilant efforts, she had not detected the 20-pound intruder that had stealthily entered the house. This unwelcome guest, the snarling, hissing possum with its 7-inch row of razor-sharp teeth, had managed to infiltrate the family's sanctuary and navigate from bedroom to bedroom with a sinister ease that the "watchdog" had apparently overlooked.

The absurdity of the situation was not lost on the family, for it seemed that their valiant protector was unfazed by the tiny, yet terrifying, beast that had dared to enter their home. In this bizarre turn of events, the "watchdog's" selective vigilance had placed them in an altogether different predicament, where a creature far more menacing and unpredictable roamed unchecked within the confines of their household.

As the chaos and contrasts within the family's home unfolded, it became clear that sometimes, the most unexpected and seemingly insignificant threats could pose the greatest challenge, all while the loyal "watchdog" remained blissfully unaware of the danger lurking in their midst.

Possum Predicament

With the possum situation still unfolding, the father hurriedly opened his son's bedroom door. He needed assistance to deal with the unexpected intruder that had made its way into their home. The abrupt disturbance roused his son from his slumber, along with the family dog, who had been peacefully dreaming until the commotion disrupted her sleep.

Groggily, the son mumbled, "Huh?" He was clearly not fully awake and trying to make sense of the situation. The father, anxiety in his voice, urgently explained, "Possum! There's a possum in your sister's bedroom!"

The son, his mind still clouded with sleep, responded with a puzzling question, "Oh, what's his name?" His bleary-eyed state seemed to prevent him from comprehending the gravity of the situation. The father, feeling a surge of frustration, bellowed, "What's his name? This isn't a joke! There's a real-life possum in your sister's bedroom!"

The father's stern tone conveyed the urgency of the matter, and it finally began to sink in for his son. As he shook off the remnants of sleep, he realized the seriousness of the situation and, along with the family dog, prepared to assist in addressing the uninvited guest. The possum, once considered a trivial concern, had now become the primary focus of their attention, and it was time to confront this peculiar and unexpected houseguest.

The 911 Call

As the father's son quickly gathered his wits and got dressed, the father recognized the need for immediate intervention. He decided to call 911, hoping that the emergency services could provide assistance in dealing with the unexpected and unwelcome houseguest. The clock on the wall ticked steadily towards 1:00 A.M.

With a sense of urgency, the father dialed 911, and when a dispatcher answered, he wasted no time explaining the peculiar situation. His voice, a mix of anxiety and frustration, conveyed the urgency of the matter. "There's a possum in the house," he blurted out.

However, the dispatcher's response caught him off guard. "I'm sorry, sir," the dispatcher replied, "we don't send officers out to deal with possums in the household, or any other wild animals for that matter. You will need to call animal control for that."

The father, already stressed by the bizarre turn of events and his family's reaction to the possum, was taken aback by the dispatcher's refusal to send immediate help. The realization that they were on their own in dealing with the unexpected intruder added to the surreal nature of the situation. Now, with the responsibility falling squarely on their shoulders, the father and his son knew that they had to take matters into their own hands and find a way to remove the possum from the house before it could cause any more trouble.

Animal Control Dilemma

Determined to resolve the possum predicament and with little choice left, the father dialed the number for animal control. When he reached them and explained the bizarre situation, he was informed that it would take approximately an hour for their personnel to arrive, and it would come at a cost of $200.

"$200!" the father exclaimed, the price tag for possum removal seeming exorbitant in the dead of the night. He couldn't help but voice his concern, "That's a little costly, isn't it?"

The animal control officer on the other end of the line calmly responded, "Well, it is after 1 am, and we are 35 miles away from you. The fees do vary depending on the time and distance."

Realizing that he might have to find a more affordable and immediate solution, the animal control officer offered an alternative that seemed both practical and cost-effective. "What you could do is this," he suggested, "just pick up the possum by its tail and carry it outside."

A Hesitant Decision

The father's reaction to the animal control officer's advice was a mix of disbelief and a touch of humor. "Do what?" he exclaimed. "I haven't had a drop of alcohol in several years, but I'll have to have a whole lot of beer in me before I pick up that ugly, snarling beast by its tail!" The idea of inebriation as a prerequisite for handling the possum by its tail provided a momentary respite from the tension of the situation.

The animal control officer, seemingly understanding the father's hesitation, posed the essential question, "Do you want us to come out?" The father paused, contemplating the financial cost and the extended wait for their arrival.

With a sense of resolve and perhaps a touch of stubbornness, the father decided, "No, I'll figure something out." He was determined to find a solution that didn't involve risking his hand by grabbing the possum by its tail.

By this time, the son had emerged from his room, fully dressed and ready to assist. The family's faithful "watchdog" stood by his side, sensing the tension in the air. Meanwhile, the mother and daughter still anxiously stood on their chairs, awaiting the removal of the possum, their earlier fear now compounded by the uncertainty of how the situation would be resolved.

Before hanging up the phone with the animal control officer, the father received a stern reminder, "Whatever you do, do not kill the possum. They are good for the environment by helping to eradicate ticks. They will catch and eat cockroaches, rats and mice, roadkill, along with any other dead animal that they find."

The father assured the officer, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill it, but I'm not gonna pick it up by its tail either!" With this understanding, the conversation came to an end as the father prepared to tackle the unusual challenge of removing the possum from his daughter's room, all the while mindful of the creature's role in maintaining the local ecosystem.

A New Plan

As the mother and daughter remained perched precariously on their chairs, the son and their vigilant "watchdog" found themselves in the living room, thoroughly entertained by the surreal spectacle. The son couldn't help but comment, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "You do know that possums climb trees, right?" He was met with a snappy retort from his mother, who, though anxious, wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Oh, shut up! When the possum is gone, we'll get down off these chairs."

The daughter, seeking clarity amid the chaos, added her own inquiry, her brow furrowed, "What's this business about asking Dad if he knew the possum's name?" The son simply smirked and shrugged his shoulders, choosing not to delve into the particulars of their father's earlier confusion.

Meanwhile, the father, fully aware that he couldn't rely solely on wit and humor to deal with the possum, reached out to a friend who lived nearby. In a voice filled with urgency, he asked, "Can you come over and help me get this possum out of my house?" The friend, who was willing to lend a hand even in the early hours of the morning, agreed to come to the rescue.

By the time the friend arrived, the clock had ticked past 2 a.m. The father, the son, and their friend assembled in the daughter's bedroom, ready to face the possum head-on. In a coordinated effort, the father and the friend each armed themselves with a broom, ready to guide and gently usher the possum toward an exit. The son, acting as the anchor, held onto a sturdy metal garbage can, prepared to provide a safe container for their uninvited guest once they had successfully coaxed it out of the room.

With their makeshift tools in hand and their resolve steeled, the trio prepared to confront the possum, hoping to bring this strange and unexpected chapter to a close.

A Frightening Chase

After a tense and nerve-wracking few minutes, the trio of the father, the son, and the friend finally located the snarling possum, lurking underneath the daughter's bed. The friend cautiously poked at the creature with the broom, and it darted out, making a beeline right for the son.

In a terrifying turn of events, the possum began to climb up the son's leg, snarling and hissing with increasing intensity. Panic took hold of the son, and he dropped the garbage can, letting out a series of high-pitched screams, "Get it off me! Get it off me!" In a desperate bid to fend off the possum, he wildly slapped at the creature with his hands.

The father, witnessing the chaos unfolding before him, yelled in frustration, "Why didn't you throw the garbage can over it?" The son, his voice trembling, responded between his screams, "Because it was attacking me!"

Just then, the father's gaze was drawn to the stairs, and there stood their "watchdog," looking completely pleased with herself, wagging her tail, and seemingly wearing a mischievous grin. The father couldn't help but address her, though with a mix of exasperation and humor, "What are you so happy about? If you had been doing your job, we wouldn't be in this predicament!"

The possum, undeterred by the chaos, continued its ascent up the son's t-shirt, hissing, snarling, and even foaming at the mouth. The son's screams grew even louder, and he cried out, "It's eating me! It's eating me!" The mother, still perched on her chair, offered a somewhat humorous but well-intentioned question, "Son, do you need a chair?" The daughter, trying to lighten the mood in her own way, called up to her brother, "Did you get his name? Do you need a cigarette?"

The father, realizing that they couldn't allow the situation to escalate any further, yelled at his friend, "Pick up the garbage can!" With a swift and determined swat of the broom, he managed to knock the possum into the garbage can, finally bringing the terrifying encounter to an end. The possum, now contained, hissed and snarled from its makeshift prison, but the immediate threat was over. They had successfully outsmarted the unwelcome intruder, and the family could finally breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Possum in Custody

With the possum safely contained within the garbage can, the son acted swiftly to secure the situation. He grabbed the lid to the garbage can and slammed it down firmly, ensuring that the hissing and snarling creature remained confined. The sudden clattering of the lid, followed by the muffled protests from the captured possum, added a final note of tension to the bizarre and chaotic scene that had unfolded over the past couple of hours.

As the clock ticked past 2:30 a.m., the household was filled with a palpable sense of relief. The possum, while still present, was no longer a direct threat, and the family could finally begin the process of restoring a semblance of normalcy to their home. With the possum contained and their collective courage tested, they could finally start to piece together the events of this unforgettable night.

The father, son, and their friend shared a knowing glance, having successfully navigated a peculiar and harrowing experience. The "watchdog" continued to wag her tail, perhaps satisfied with her unintentional role in the drama, and the mother and daughter, although still perched on their chairs, gradually began to relax.

The Possum’s Fate

With the possum now safely confined in the garbage can, the mother and daughter breathed a collective sigh of relief. Realizing that the immediate threat had passed, they carefully stepped down from their chairs, their faces reflecting a mixture of anxiety and relief.

The father, the son, and their friend, holding the garbage can between them, made their way downstairs to the entrance of the house. The father carefully set the garbage can outside, ensuring that the captured possum remained secure.

After ensuring the possum was outside, the family, along with their trusty "watchdog," gathered around the kitchen table. They took their seats, forming a circle, each person processing the bizarre events that had just transpired. The father, the mother, the daughter, and the son all took their places, and their friend joined the group.

Beneath the table, the ever-loyal "watchdog" took her position, her tail wagging with anticipation. She believed that her role in the evening's events deserved some form of reward, perhaps a few table scraps for a "job well done."

A Moment of Laughter

With the atmosphere around the kitchen table gradually lightening, laughter provided a much-needed release for the family and their friend. Their shared humor and relief served as a cathartic experience, helping them process the unexpected adventure they had just endured. The tension of the night gave way to bonding and shared camaraderie, allowing them to come to terms with the bizarre turn of events.

As the shared laughter subsided, their friend, realizing his role in the bizarre possum incident was over, announced, "My job is done. I'm going back home now." With a fond farewell, he left, leaving behind a shared experience that they would undoubtedly recall and chuckle about for years to come.

Amid the quieter aftermath, the mother couldn't help but express her curiosity about the fate of the captured possum. She turned to the father and inquired, "What are you going to do with that possum?" The father, unwavering in his decision, responded with determination, "Well, I'm not going to kill it. I will take it out into the country and let it loose in some farmer's cornfield." With that, he rose from the table, donned his jacket and hat, and made his way outside to carry out this peculiar mission.

In the brisk early morning air, the father retrieved the garbage can from the house. The possum, still snarling and hissing from within, remained securely contained. Carefully, he loaded the garbage can into the bed of his pickup truck, preparing for the journey into the countryside.

Driving approximately 20 miles, he finally arrived at a vast cornfield, surrounded by the serene tranquility of the rural landscape. Determined to give the possum a second chance at freedom, he carried the garbage can about 100 feet into the field. As he carefully opened the lid, he noticed a peculiar marking on the snout of the possum. The bewildered possum quickly seized the opportunity for escape, vanishing into the tall cornstalks as the father watched it disappear into the vast expanse of the cornfield. The time was 3:15 a.m.

The End… or Is It?

As the father watched the possum with the peculiar snout marking vanish into the vast cornfield, he might have believed that the peculiar possum story had finally reached its conclusion. However, one would be terribly wrong to assume that this was the end of their possum saga. Little did they know, there was more to this quirky adventure than met the eye.

With the possum now free in the open countryside, the father returned home, looking forward to putting the peculiar events of the evening behind him and enjoying a peaceful, possum-free night's rest. Yet, little did he suspect that their unexpected guest might return, or that there might be further twists and turns in the tale of the possum's escapades.

The possum, with its distinctive snout marking, had left an indelible mark on their family's memory. Its presence had transformed a seemingly ordinary night into an unforgettable adventure. As they reflected on the bizarre events of the evening, they couldn't help but wonder what the future held for their uninvited visitor.

And so, the story of the possum continued, with more unexpected chapters yet to unfold. "The Possum, Part 2," would soon reveal itself, promising new surprises, and adventures as the family's curious connection with this remarkable creature took an unexpected turn.

©01/16/2024, R. L. Whitmire, All Rights Reserved