Red Liquid Sugar

The garbage cans were filled with trash and the trees were full of birds. The sunshine was bright and so were the blue jays that chirped in the trees. The sewers were filthy, much like the trash inside the garbage cans. The memories of that wonderful day are so vivid with beauty, that I weep every-time I think about the garbage cans.

My friend was a healthy carrot who believed in ghosts. He never dressed as a sailor even though many people accused him of doing so. Although he did dress up as a rabbit. Did I mention that my friend was a carrot? If I did, I was lying. My friend was actually a rabbit.

I remember he was acting a little strange that day. He was wearing a sailor’s outfit and had a woman with him who was a parrot. Did I mention that my friend was a rabbit? If I did, I was telling the truth. My friend actually was a rabbit. Anyway, he told me that he had just seen a ghost. I didn’t believe him at first, but then the parrot confirmed his story. She repeated everything just the way he had said.

It seemed that this ghost wanted to kill my rabbit friend. This would explain the sailor suit and somewhat explain the significance of the woman parrot. It turned out that the ghost was murdered in this town when he was just a little ghost. He was murdered by a rabbit and was seeking revenge on my friend.

I recalled that there was another rabbit that lived in town, but he disappeared years ago. My friend looked exactly like that rabbit. To make matters even worse, he moved into the same apartment as that other rabbit. The ghost had obviously found the wrong rabbit and was about to make a big mistake.

In a courageous rage I convinced the rabbit to bring me to the ghost, so I could clear up all of this nonsense. When we were a few blocks away from the ghost’s home, the rabbit fled in shear fright and I was on my own. I entered the ghost’s dwelling and the ghost immediately appeared before me.

"What a surprise this is for me! I wasn’t expecting anyone. How about I fix you up a tall glass of cherry lemonade?" said the gracious ghost.

"No, no thank you. I’m lactose intolerant."

Up until that point the ghost appeared extremely pleasant, but when I said the words ‘lactose intolerant’ he looked at me with Evil’s eyes and fiendishly whispered, "Well then you could try some of my strawberry rhubarb pie. All of the ingredients are fresh."

Not for one moment did I trust this ghost.

"Yes, sure I’ll have some," I said.

The ghost brought out the steaming hot pie and cut two slices for the two of us. It was obvious that this ghost could snap at any moment, so I held on tightly to my fork in case the ghost attacked.

"Here’s a scoop of vanilla ice cream for your pie," said the ghost while adding more dessert to my plate.

"So what brings you here?" the ghost inquired.

I cleared my throat and stated, "Quite honestly, I’m here to stop you from killing my friend."

A smile bloomed on the ghost’s face and he said, "Now tell me who your friend is and then tell me how you know I’m supposed to kill him."

I finished the last of the pie from my plate and said, "My friend is the rabbit and I know you’re going to kill him because he told me so himself, that’s how."

"You’re right. I am going to kill him. Not only because of the fact that he killed me, but because he can strike at any time. Everyone in this town is in serious danger, even you," warned the ghost.

Colors began to fade from the ghost’s image. He was leaving. I screamed, "Don’t leave! I haven’t even told you the whole story. That’s a different rabbit!"

The ghost was barely visible, "It is safe to stay here. Help yourself to some lemon popsicles in the freezer," he said as he vanished in a ghostlike fashion.

I didn’t think I could outrace the ghost, but I prayed he would take a wrong turn or stop at a fruit market on the way to his murder. I dashed down the block hurdling lawn sprinklers and frothy-mouthed terriers. When I arrived at the rabbit’s apartment, there was the inauspicious sign of a door left open. I sidled my way through the open door and stood aghast at the sight of parrot feathers strewn wildly all over the living room carpet. Without allowing my heels to touch ground, I followed a feather path that led to the rabbit’s oven. When I opened the oven door, the bird was a crisp golden brown and although terrified I was, the aroma of the bird simmering in applesauce was quite pleasing. That was when I realized that the ghost was right. I grabbed a steak knife and searched for the rabbit.

As I entered the rabbit’s bedroom I found the rabbit’s carcass lying on the floor. That was when I realized the ghost was wrong. I kneeled beside my rabbit friend and cried, "Who could have done this? Why? Why Ghost?"

My hands were covered with the rabbit’s blood. In my state of madness I rubbed my hands upon my face and across my lips. The taste of the rabbit’s blood tasted like strawberry syrup.

So confused and helpless I felt at that moment as the rabbit’s eyes opened. I froze like one of the ghost’s popsicles and didn’t know what to think or say. That was when the rabbit lunged at my neck. I don’t remember anything after that except for the one thought that cemented in my mind, The ghost was right.

When I awoke I was in the rabbit’s kitchen. The ghost was there stirring up a big pot of rabbit parrot stew. He set two places on the table for the two of us. The sweet smell of victory combined with the rabbit parrot stew helped me to my feet.

Not only did the ghost save my life, but he was also cooking me the greatest meal I’d ever had. We laughed at the dinner table at what fools we were. I laughed hardest at the rumors which turned out to be true. I thought the sailor’s outfit was a one time thing; as a disguise from the ghost.

Everyone was right. The rabbit did enjoy to dress up as a sailor. When we were done with our meal I threw the bones into a trash bag and tied it up. I then went to the window and threw the bag out from the three-story apartment and watched as it landed perfectly into a garbage can.