Cowboy Serenade

by PixChick

Evaline was trying to get some sleep in the mid-afternoon when she heard loud twanging music and her neighbor Lester singing off-key. "Mama, Don't let yer babies grow up to be cowboys..." Lester bellowed. Unable to sleep amid that cacophony, Evaline, still in her black negligee, went to the next apartment to complain.

"Please, I'm trying to sleep. I work the midnight shift," Evaline pleaded. "Sorry. I was only rehearsing for my tryout as a singing waiter at the Nashville North Nightclub. I'll be quiet," Lester said. But after Evaline returned to bed, she again heard the music and Lester. "Mama, don't let yer babies grow up to be cowboys..." Lester sang, even more discordant than before. Evaline went to complain again.

"I decided that me getting a job is more important than you keeping yours," Lester told Evaline. "Then maybe I should reveal my job. You see, I'm an instructor at the Dragonwart School of Black Magic. And if I don't get my sleep, I may make mistakes like this," Evaline said as she waved her arms. Lester quickly grew smaller until all that was left of him was an 18-month-old diapered boy wedged between his cowboy boots and Stetson.

"Still want to sing?" Evaline asked. "Gaagaagaayaayaayaa," Lester prattled. "Then this will fix that," Evaline said as she produced a binky and plugged it into Little Lester's mouth. He sucked happily on the plastic nipple, ending his musical venture. Evaline was happy too. As she walked home, she hummed to herself, "Mama, don't let yer cowboys shrink down into babies... Hmmm! Catchy little tune."

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