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Holy Matrimony

by dharker 

Posted: 24 April 2011
Word Count: 400


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Bruce reached out for Patience’s hand, her tissue thin skin wrinkled and creased in his grip and he could feel the bones in her hand shift and rearrange as he gently squeezed. They had both aged, he thought, as he pushed back the glasses that constantly slipped down his now bulbous nose. He looked across at her lined and wrinkled face, the tiny round glasses and the snowy white hair that had once been so lustrously black and he smiled.

“Are you comfortable Pusskin?”, he asked affectionately.

“Who are you?”, she asked, giving him a puzzled look.

“I’m Bruce, your husband. Your name is Patience, do you remember when we got married?”

He’d been speaking with the consultant geriatrician, who had suggested that her increasing dementia could be slowed by constant reminders of the past.

“Married? Who got married?”

“We did Pusskin, 50 years ago today, here let me show you some photos”.

He creakily reached into his bag and brought out the large leather covered scrap book and placed it on his knee. Opening the album, he pointed to the first picture; a group of four – three men and a woman.

“That’s you, me of course, and that’s Dick our adopted son. The gentleman at the back is Alfred.”

She peered long and hard at the picture, “Alfred?”

“Yes Pusskin, Alfred. He used to look after the house for us? ”

Bruce turned the page and as he did so a pressed flower slid down onto his lap. He picked it up and handed it to Patience. Even after all these years some of the rose’s wonderful perfume remained. She gazed at it for a moment, then lifted it to her nose and breathed in. Something subtle changed about her and she looked across at him.

“Batty? Is that you?”

He knew now to reign in his hopes, the remission would only be temporary; nevertheless he wanted to make the most of this time with her. She smiled at him and reached over the album to squeeze his hand.

“Yes Pusskin! It’s me… How are you?”

“I’m so glad you came”.

Then she burst out laughing, pointing at the second item in the book. A front page from the local paper, two finely honed figures looked out at them.

“I think we’ve changed a little since that one was taken!”

The headline read “Batman and Catwoman to wed”.






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Comments by other Members



Forbes at 23:28 on 24 April 2011  Report this post
Lovely misdirection! The clues were all there. The story didn't really go anywhere but I liked the twist.

Avis

dharker at 07:44 on 25 April 2011  Report this post
Thanks Avis! I'm not experienced enough yet to pull this into a start, middle and end within the word limit. I'm looking forward to reading others efforts - this one is more of a learning experience for me!

Thank you for the comments - much appreciated!

Dave

Gerry at 08:30 on 25 April 2011  Report this post


And when they make the film/TV show Adam West and Julie Newmar are, of course, still around ... Very witty title.



dharker at 09:01 on 25 April 2011  Report this post
Thanks Gerry! Love the idea of the film/TV show... Black zimmer with bat wings... )

Dave

Gerry at 09:20 on 25 April 2011  Report this post

The original show is perhaps the campest thing ever to be given air time. Holy tights!






Desormais at 11:20 on 26 April 2011  Report this post
Loved it Dave! And an unexpected twist at the end. Some lovely images in this and very moving in places. Well done.
Sandra

Bunbry at 12:47 on 26 April 2011  Report this post
Brilliant Dave, all the clues were there and, I wager, the best title I'll see this year!

Nick

dharker at 14:23 on 26 April 2011  Report this post
Thanks Sandra and Nick! Glad you enjoyed it - Thought I'd POW! KERSPLAT! you all with a good title for this one! Just loved Adam West as Batman...

Dave

fiona_j at 15:13 on 26 April 2011  Report this post
Hello,

This is great. I didn't take any of the hints until the last line. I then re-read the whole thing, giggling to myself about all the hints.

The original is a bit before my time but I've seen some repeats.

Excellent job.

Fi

Manusha at 21:06 on 28 April 2011  Report this post
Lost me there, Dave, then read it again, and... Holy atomic pile! I read the comments then and had to look back at the title. Cool ;

Something subtle changed about her and she looked across at Bruce.

Just thought that 'Bruce' could've been 'him' because it's in his POV and it kinda pulled me out for a mo.

Cheers, Andy

Oh dear, I just can't resist... Some quotes from the show that shaped the entire future of human civilisation -

Batman: "What took you so long, Batgirl?"
Batgirl: "Rush hour traffic, plus all the lights were against me. And you wouldn't want me to speed, would you?"
Robin: "Your good driving habits almost cost us our lives!"
Batman: "Rules are rules, Robin. But you do have a point."

Robin: "If we close our eyes, we can't see anything."
Batman: "A sound observation, Robin."

Batman: "Go back outside and calm the flower children."
Robin: "They'll mob me!"
Batman: "Groovy."

Robin: "Gosh, Batman, this camel grass juice is great."
Batman: "Beware of strong stimulants, Robin."

Robin: "You can't get away from Batman that easy!"
Batman: "Easily."
Robin: "Easily?"
Batman: "Good grammar is essential, Robin."
Robin: "Thank you."
Batman: "You're welcome."

Batman: "Let's beware and be wary."

Robin, about Batgirl: "She's gone again! For once, Batman, let's follow her."
Batman: "No, Robin. With my head sticking out of this neosaurus costume, I might not appear like an ordinary, run of the mill crimefighter."

Batman (during a bat-climb): "Careful, Robin. Both hands on the Bat-rope."
Robin: "Sorry, Batman."

Robin, looking at Batgirl: "You know something, Batman?"
Batman: "What's that, Robin?"
Robin: "She looks very pretty when she's asleep."
Batman: "I thought you might eventually notice that. That single statement indicates to me the first oncoming thrust of manhood, old chum."

Batman: "I'll do everything I can to rehabilitate you."
Catwoman: "Marry me."
Batman: "Everything except that."

Okay, okay, I'll scurry off now!

dharker at 21:21 on 28 April 2011  Report this post
Good point Andy. I made the change and you're absolutely right - it reads a lot better now! Thank You! Brilliant quotes... loved the naivety and innocence of it all!

Dave

Manusha at 22:39 on 28 April 2011  Report this post
I know, they're so cheesy, but so cool! Cheers for the clever reminder of the program, Dave!

Neezes at 00:09 on 29 April 2011  Report this post
Really good interpretation of the prompt. I liked the well-worked in batman refs - like Fi, I had to re-read it

Jonathan

tusker at 07:12 on 01 May 2011  Report this post
Clever take on the secrets of an elderly couple, Dave.

Very good. Enjoyed the read.

Jennifer

V`yonne at 12:24 on 01 May 2011  Report this post
Nice one and a good win I commented before and it got lost in the ether

crowspark at 12:57 on 02 May 2011  Report this post
Great flash, bam, pow (sorry, got carried away for a moment there) and a worthy winner, Dave!

I wondered whether you could have risked
He used to look after Wayne Manor for us?


Thanks for the read.
Bill

dharker at 17:43 on 02 May 2011  Report this post
LOL! Thanks Bill! I did consider it but Bruce talking about Wayne Manor might have been a little too much of a giveaway...

Dave


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