Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge refuses to return Theo Epstein's phone calls offering a contract to join the Boston Red Sox as a starting pitcher. This week's word is "imp", and my story, in a nod to the great Ambrose Bierce, is called "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bookstore".
"Dad-deeeeeee!" His voice was sharp, full of anger. His face was screwed up in puzzlement. "What's an imp?"
I scanned my mental dictionary. "It's a little devil, or it's a word for a naughty boy. Why?"
"That lady called me one." A dark haired woman was glaring at him from the science fiction section. I put down the Foster Wallace I was perusing.
"I just asked her when her baby was going to come!", he protested. "She has a big tummy just like Mommy does."
"That's not something we ask strangers, buddy," I told him as she stormed away.
Out of the mouths of babes, huh? Great story!
ReplyDeleteLOL ... kids always tell it like it is. Fun take on the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI chuckled - which made hubby look askance - ahhh, she's just reading 100 words again. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been on both ends of this one. Well done. (poor little imp) And - poor daddy.
I guess he's lucky 'imp' was the only thing she called him. Fun 100 Words.
ReplyDeleteHilarious 100.
ReplyDeleteGodo job Michael
Oh dear. A grown woman made this mistake with me once. It's been 25 yrs but it came back in a rush. You did a good job evoking that emotional response.
ReplyDeleteHa! This reminds of that time I devastated my mother by pointing out that her boss had a mustache. Her female boss.
ReplyDeleteOh my poor mother, and oh the things children will say.