Dialogue Essays: The Troll

Standing on tip toes on an old stump was a troll. Not a mean, fierce, drooling kind of troll ... more of a gentler and wiser kind. He was trying to peek in the kitchen window of the house next to the woods where he lived. The house was really not all that special. It was a two story colonial with country blue paint that was peeling slightly.
It was a warm morning in late July. Mrs. Sagal was cooking breakfast as her daughter, Lucinda sat at the kitchen table looking at a magazine.
“What do you want with your eggs?” asked Mrs. Sagal. Lucinda didn't answer. “Lucinda! What do you want with your eggs?”
Lucinda looked up and said, “Toast would be fine.” Her mom had already finished the bacon so breakfast was just about ready. Lucinda’s dad had not yet come downstairs from getting ready for work. Dr. Steve Sagal was an obstetrician (a baby doctor) and had a busy day ahead of him. He was in a terrible hurry to leave for work.
Mrs. Sagal put the plate down in front of Lucinda and said, “Eat up! We’ll be leaving soon for the grocery store.” Lucinda moved the eggs around on her plate. Then she picked up the toast, put jelly on it and took a bite. Just then her dad ran down the stairs, grabbed a piece of toast and shot out the front door.
“Bye Dad!” Lucinda called, but he didn’t hear. He was already halfway to his car. His used car that seemed to always break down at all the wrong times. Right after moving to Oakwood the engine overheated and he had to spend a lot of money to get it back on the road. And then he had a flat tire. But he needed his car so he had to spend the money. “Dad’s in a hurry this morning," said Lucinda.
“Yes,” said her mom. “He has several appointments this morning. It's his first real busy day since we moved to ...

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...n lurking around town. I don’t know.”
Then Ambur started to fidget even more. He took out his pipe and rubbed it clean. He kicked the dirt off his shoes. Then he looked at Lucinda.
“First of all, I'm not that old. But that's okay, try to be there. You don’t know how important this is. Bring your mom if you must. You won’t bring anyone else?”
“No, Ambur, just mom.”
“Don’t bring your dad,” said Ambur. “I have a hard time getting comfortable with males. Must be a territorial issue or something. I don’t know. Just can’t get used to males in general. Don’t get me wrong … I’m going to meet your dad. I’m sure he’s a great guy. Just not yet.”
“Okay,” said Lucinda. Then she said, “Can I bring my sister?”
“Nooo Luce … just you and your mom. I’ll meet your sister later. You’re giving me a headache! Please, just try to be there at 1:30 okay?”
“Okay, Ambur,” said Lucinda.