The De Lorean (standard:science fiction, 2290 words)
Author: Ian Hobson	Added: May 31 2004	Views/Reads: 3816/2238	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
When Dianne told me the story of the time she stayed with her aunt, in a 'mansion, stacked to the ceilings with antiques', and about 'the De Lorean'; I thought that maybe she was making the whole thing up. But then she showed me the photograph...

The De Lorean 

©2004 Ian Hobson 

When Dianne told me the story of the time she stayed with her aunt, in a
'mansion, stacked to the ceilings with antiques', and about 'the De 
Lorean'; I thought that maybe she was making the whole thing up.  But 
then she showed me the photograph. 

That was almost a year ago.  Now, suddenly I feel inclined to retell the
story myself; though without being constrained by the facts 
(historical, scientific, or otherwise).  With Dianne's permission, of 
course. 

Note: I've used U.S. spellings. 

*** 

DeeDee - that wasn't her name, exactly; it was more of a nickname, her
initials being DD - dropped her bag in the middle of the entrance hall 
and looked around.  Man!  She had never seen such a house before.  It 
was so big, like a mansion or something. 

'Well Dianne, did you have a good trip?'  DeeDee's aunt closed the large
front door and turned back towards her niece, looking her up and down.  
She liked what she saw, except perhaps for the cheap beads and the 
flared denim jeans; not very ladylike.  But then, every era had its 
fashions, and teenage girls had to follow them.  What was it that young 
people on the west coast liked to call themselves? Flower people?  
Surely that wasn't spreading to the South? 

'Yeah, it was good, Auntie Rene...  Your house is amazing.  It's a
mansion!'  DeeDee turned on the spot as she looked again at the huge 
entrance hall.  The ceiling was so high, and the staircase so grand. 

'Not quite a mansion, Dianne.  But we like it.  Shall we have some tea? 
I'm afraid your uncle's in bed; he's not been very well at all lately.  
I'll take you up to see him later.  We'll leave your bag over here for 
now.'  DeeDee's aunt Rene picked up her niece's bag and carried it over 
to the bottom of the staircase.  She was a slight woman, yet she lifted 
the heavy bag as though it weighed nothing.  'Are you sure you've 
brought enough clothes, Dear?' 

'Yeah, I don't need much; not in this weather, anyway.'  DeeDee followed
her aunt through a doorway that led into a large, lavishly furnished, 
reception room.  'Oh wow!  Look at all these antiques.' 

'They're not all antiques, Dear.  Most are though.  You know your Uncle
John was in antiques?' 

'Yeah, Mama told me.  Do you still have the antique shops, downtown?' 

'No, we sold the shops about a year ago.  But we still have the old
warehouse; it's one of the oldest buildings in Huntsville, though it's 
becoming a bit of an eyesore now.  We'll be selling that as well soon; 
then whoever buys it will probably tear it down and build a parking lot 
or whatever...  How is your mother, Dear?' 

'Oh, she's fine.' 

'Good.  You sit down.  I'll get the tea.' 

'Could I have coffee, Auntie, please?' asked DeeDee. 

'A coffee drinker like your uncle, are you?  Very well, if that's what
you prefer.'  Rene set off towards what DeeDee assumed was the door to 
the kitchen; though in fact it led to the dinning room, which in turn, 
led to the kitchen. 

DeeDee was left to marvel at the room and its contents.  She felt like
she was in one of her uncle's antique shops, except that nothing was 
for sale.  Every item of furniture was so beautiful, and in such 
perfect condition.  A large glass cabinet stood against one wall, and 
when DeeDee took a closer look, she saw that it was filled with the 
most beautiful china and crystal she had ever seen; and not one single 


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