Turnaround

Two more flash fiction pieces done at L's table while eating the last mince pies of the season and drinking tea. We open a novel and pick out a line that is the prompt for the story. We write for 10 minutes and then read our work. The words in italics are the writing prompt.

 

THE WILL

 "How was your rest?"

Trevor wanted to say it sucked. Instead he said, "The traffic outside was a bit loud."

"Did you close the window?"

Trevor nodded instead of, "Of course I did, you dickhead."

He'd never liked his cousin Thomas from the time they were in a playpen together. His mother told how he always cried when she put them together. Although he couldn't say for sure, Trevor suspected Thomas bullied him even then as he had done all through school.

Trevor had come to Hartford, CT for the reading of his Aunt Maudie's will. She was his mother's twin.

Unlike her son Thomas, she was a loving human being, intelligent, giving and wise.

In the early afternoon the two men were in the lawyer's office. When she stepped out to ask her secretary to bring them coffee Thomas said, "That's one beautiful piece of ass."

Unfortunately the lawyer had reentered. "Not just my ass, my whole body. Shall we get down to business, gentleman and Thomas."

It didn't take long. Aunt Maudie had left most of her possessions to Thomas in trust.  He'd been bragging what he'd do when he got his hand on the money and property.

"In trust?" Thomas jumped up.

"Your cousin Trevor is the trustee." The lawyer smiled.

 

THE LETTER

 

Jack put the letter down on the ground and stared ahead of him.He hadn't had even an inkling that it was coming.

He wanted to ask Amy, but his wife had been gone for three weeks to take care of her mother 1,500 miles away. Her text messages had been brief.

• Arrived safely.
• Very busy.
• Spending time at the hospital with mom

Jack had been busy himself at work as usual. He hadn't missed Amy all that much.

When had he and his wife started living separate lives in the same house? The only time they spent any time together was at social events and then he was with his buddies and she with her friends.

Today was his first day off since she'd left. He'd planned to mow the overgrown lawn, but first, he'd gone to the mailbox.

The letter was alone. All their bills were now electronic and the door of the mailbox said, "No publicity."

He opened it.

Dear Jack.

I thought it was fair to warm you that I'm filing for divorce. My lawyer will call you soon to get the name of your lawyer. Just having you served with papers seemed too harsh. And doing it by email is just tacky.

I've tried to talk to you for months, but you were always too busy. I think we both need new lives and I hope this can be a friendly divorce.

Amy