Over the summer, we asked participants to pick a prompt from our Writing Prompt Challenge and write. Over the coming months, we will share several of these pieces.
Next up, is “Tonka and Joe“ by Donna Renee Anderson.
Prompt: Write a scene based on interaction between your two favorite toys.
Tonka and Joe
Scene
Summertime. Front yard of a two-story brick home with newly painted red steps. The sidewalk to the steps is littered with various toys and children’s bicycles. On a grass-torn downward slope from the sidewalk, two toys have slid to the bottom; away from children’s bodies mixing it up with fists, hands and feet.
“I’m so glad Harry got mad at his sister and three me down this hill.” GI Joe was dusting the dirt off his battle fatigues as he spoke.
“Well at least you were thrown!” Came through muffled sounds from under a rock-dirt pile as Tonka rumbled free and tipped her open-box bed, emptying her load.
“I suppose.” Joe muttered.
“That girl…” Tonka didn’t get to finish.
“She has a name you know. That group up there, call her Frank and she’s one tough cookie.” Joe strutted like a proud rooster. “Frank’s a true soldier’s daughter. And you shouldn’t be complaining. We’re her favorites.” Spoken with hands on hips and chin out.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ok. But she filled me with dirt, put me in that wheelbarrow, shoveled I don’t know what on top of me and sent the whole lot down this hill. She’s a menace!” Tonka sputtered, circling Joe clanking her open-bed.
“Well we’re out of sight and she’s no where to be found. I think we’re safe from any of her war maneuvers for now.” Joe picked up his gun, shaking away any dirt. “Why don’t you give me a ride to our hiding place. That faucet drip is a good place to clean up.” He tapped her wheels lightly with his boot.
“Sure, climb in the back and I’ll stay close to the hillside. If she sees us, we won’t get cleaned for a week and you’ll be kicking out any new dents from my body.” Tonka adjusted her wheels.
“I could do with a good wash myself.” Joe said as he jumped in the back. Tonka stayed close to the hillside and maneuvered over the gravel.
“Magdalena Francesca. What a name for such a sprite of a girl.” Tonka drove slowly.
“Big name for the big sister.” Joe added.
“Okay, but she sure takes “care for your brothers and sister” to new heights as far as I’m concerned.” Tonka growled.
Their easy conversation buoyed them down a toy-sized path in the house’s shadow. Sturdy metal yellow dump truck and an olive drab soldier (with added face paint) sitting in the back. Joe couldn’t remember how it got there and refused to believe Tonka’s story. Women’s mascara indeed! But Tonka wore her red nail polished lightning bolt on her hood with pride no matter how gruff she sounded.
“Any news on when her father’s coming home?” Tonka asked.
“Nothing’s happened since the last uniform visited.” Joe answered, jumping from the truck.
“Is that the one where she slammed the front door in that uniform’s face?” She asked.
“Yep, and I guess it’s our job to keep our girl happy until his return.” Joe reached for his gun.
“I hear feet. Running.” Tonka turned to look. “Is she running towards us? What’s that in her hand?” Tonka sped up and then air took her voice.
Joe sputtered as he was shoved under a waterfall force of water.
“You two need a good cleaning and fresh war paint for sure.” Magdalena Francesca held Tonka and Joe and eye level and smiled.
“Is that a paint brush?” Tonka screeched.
“Yeah buddy!” Joe laughed. “Army colors for sure!”
“Well it’s going to be an interesting afternoon for sure.” Tonka sighed.
