Birthday Candle Man

Clemens was not prepared for what she was about to see.

Mannequins.

They were everywhere. Some were wearing clothes. Others nude.They were sitting on the couch. At the dining table. Stood in poses having conversations.

The old man closer up had the smell of birthday cake candles.

“Wow gee Mister… You have a lot of people here,” Clemens said.

“Ah yes, they are my dear friends and they keep me company,” he said, “No Harold! The girl isn’t selling Girl Scout cookies… She’s come in for a glass of water.”

Clemens looked. Harold seemed to be the one in a smiley-face tie and brown wig.

“I wish I had some cookies…” She said.

“I think we might have some in the kitchen…” the old man put his shotgun on its rack.

Clemens sat at the darkwood dining room table. A pine green carpet underneath. Candles. Unlit. She looked at the two mannequins at the table. A child in a red dress with no hair and a woman with a bra on and long red hair.

“Good afternoon,” Clemens said to them.

The old man returned with a packet of Chips Ahoy! Original flavour tied up with a rubber band, and a thin glass of water.

“I see you’ve met Martha and little Jessie,” He said.

Clemens thanked him for the cookies and water. She even placed one cookie for Jessie.

“You are too sweet dear.. But only one cookie, Jessie… Want ta have sparkly teeth for the dentist…” he said.

“I haven’t been to a dentist in five years…” Clemens said.

The old man chuckled and put a finger on his lips. Shhh… Clemens copied. Shhh… This was a fun game.