Alligator Dream
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By Mike Robinson
I very seldom remember dreams but when I do, they are with vivid details and in color. I have always been especially fond of family stories and like to tell others of things related to my family. I recently had a dream I will call the “Alligator Dream.” Dreams are usually very short and don’t expect me to ramble.
This dream involves my two brothers who I will forever be indebted to for many life lessons. I have always considered both of them to be especially intelligent which places me third of my parent’s three male children.
In the dream the three of us, Bill, Clyde and I were in the living room of my parent’s home in Oakland, Mississippi. Those who have been in that room can probably visualize the exact setting and layout. There was always a sofa on the east wall, Daddy’s recliner in the little offset on the north wall where what we called the hall led to the restroom and on the east wall was a Duncan Phyfe sofa. The Duncan Phyfe sofa was part of my inheritance and was always my favorite place to nap. I am sure you can all really picture this scene, in the dream: Bill was reclined in the recliner, Clyde lying on the sofa and me on the Duncan Phyfe. A dog disturbed our naps with barking and growling from the front of the house and we all went out onto the screened in front porch. As we began to open the door, we all spotted a large alligator, who was very green and very big, walking across the yard between the flower bed at the double windows in mother’s room and the flower bed around the magnolia in the front yard. Bill immediately stopped us as he was in the lead. As he stopped, he said ya’ll wait I got something for that Bastard.
Every member of our family knows Bill has got one of everything that has ever been advertised on TV for $19.95. We waited as Bill went to what he referred to as his bedroom to retrieve one of his purchases. It only took a few seconds, and he returned with a box that was labeled “Alligator Exterminator” and a big smile on his face. I knew if there was such a thing Bill would have one. He opened the box and brought out what appeared to be a big shotgun, which was orange with a green forearm and stock. I have never seen anything quite like it. Bill exits the door followed closely by Clyde and me following up the rear as usual. Bill gets in a sneaking mode as he gets close to the gator and slowly gets in a crouched position as he takes aim on this gator. We had not noticed that there was a fairly stiff wind blowing out of the north and directly into our faces. We are all lined up like three stooges and Bill pulls the trigger, when he does a cloud of purple mist comes out of the barrel and the stiff breeze blows it back on us. Surprisingly this does not affect us except to color us purple. I guess it only affected alligators. Clyde asks Bill if he has another shell and he disappointedly replies it only shoots one time. Clyde came back with could you not have gotten another one free if you had paid the shipping on the second one. We retreated to our previous positions in the living room. I guess the gator left and was exterminated. Mother was not one to get excited and usually took whatever we did in stride. We have all resumed our former posture when mother comes into the room and asks what happened and did not even wait for a reply, she asked if we wanted some coffee and pie and returned to the kitchen. Bill said hell ain’t we purple. As all dreams do this was the end of the story and I didn’t get to answer or ask any questions. Aren’t brothers (families) fun.
