A Silly Short Story
I present for your consideration a short story, a piece I did as an exercise at Writers Group today. Short and silly, took about 30 minutes to write. The prompt was "Explaining why you have something in your basement." This is what came out.
"Why is... what is... huh?"
I looked around for what exactly had rendered Sasha speechless. Oh. That. The height foot plush polar bear towered over us, mounted on its stand. It was as dusty as everything else in the basement. I hadn't been down here in maybe four years, except to clean the cat's litter box. I'd almost forgotten the bear was still here.
"It's... a long story."
"Share," she commanded.
"Well, perhaps not so long. More embarrassing than long."
"Katie, if you want me to help clean out your old junk, I need to know this." She stared up into the bear's eyes, seeming humbled. It was hard not to feel some awe at the size of the thing. "Why do you have a giant polar bear?"
"It was a joke."
Sasha tore her eyes away from the oversize plushy to give me a penetrating stare. She sneezed, partly ruining the force of the demand, but I knew I wasn't going to get off so easily.
"It was a joke about liking big hairy guys."
"If you make me drag this story out of you one word at a time, I swear I will beat your ass black and blue after we're done down here."
I smirked at that."A joke at Nate's expense," I named my ex. We hadn't actually broken up over the bear - neither of us were that petty - but I won't pretend it wasn't a contributing factor. Incompatible senses of humor.
"Ok, that's it, come over here." Sasha grabbed my wrist and twisted it around behind my back. I stuck out my tongue at her, which prompted her to shove me into the wall. Pressed up behind me, she whispered into my ear. "Now, are you going to spill the beans, or do I need to get my belt?"
"Bite me." I turned my head as far as it would go so she could see my grin as I tried to get my arm free. Half heartedly - it wouldn't be any fun if I ruined the mood by succeeding.
She obliged, pushing my head to one side and clamping down on my neck. Sasha was not a gentle biter. I squeaked and brought my free arm to push her head away, but I was slammed against the wall again fro my trouble and dropped my arm. I'm sure I was making some sort of noises as I struggled, but all I could think about in the moment was the unfinished concrete against my cheek, the teeth sinking into my flesh, and the giant plushy looming over us as though ready to admonish or maul.
I giggled. She bit harder. I waved at the bear with my free hand. "Hello, Mr. Fluffy M- ow!"
Sasha growled into my neck and bit down harder still. There'd definitely be marks. After a moment more my knees sagged and she released the teeth, letting me slide down to the floor. I giggled more and waved a hand at Mr. Fluffy McGayakins. She laughed and sat down beside me.
"So, do you want to go back upstairs and find a belt, or shall we actually get some cleaning done?"
"Cleaning now, naked time later." I took a moment, catching my breath and waiting for the giggles to subside. "But I'll never share Mr. Fluffy McGayakins secrets."
She punched my shoulder playfully. "We'll see about that."