So, I have to admit that sometimes my brain works in weird ways… \u00a0Sometimes, it expresses itself in a flash story. \u00a0Like this one.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Of course, the phone rang while he was working.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He sighed and let it ring, knowing who it probably was. She had a talent for calling at exactly the wrong time, and since his job required concentration, he rarely answered. He’d listen to the voicemail later, between assignments.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After five minutes of blessed peace, the phone rang again. He swore, shifted one hand so he could tap his earpiece. \u201cThis better be important,\u201d he told her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh crap, are you out on call tonight?\u201d Her voice sounded contrite. She was good at contrite. Then again, his schedule wasn’t that fixed, so he couldn’t blame her. \u201cI’m sorry, I thought you were in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, three assignments.\u201d He shifted as the package moved beneath his legs. \u201cIt’s okay, though. What’s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you pick up eggs on the way home? Sam’s got a bake sale at school and of course, he neglected to tell me. I made cupcakes, but we have no eggs for breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The package shifted again, and he sighed. \u201cHang on a second, Cass.\u201d Then he picked the pillow up and stared down at the package lying on the bed. \u201cDo you mind?\u201d he asked. \u201cI’m trying to talk to my wife. Please stop moving \u2013 it’s very rude.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The man looked up at him with terrified eyes and mumbled something, but with the duct tape over his mouth, he couldn’t make out words. He took it for assent and replaced the pillow over the package, leaning down firmly. \u201cJust eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if your assignments take you by the 24-hour Safeway, you could get bacon too,\u201d she said. \u201cBut if not, the eggs are the big thing. You know how Sam is if he doesn’t have his strangled eggs in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He chuckled at the family joke \u2013 his son hadn’t been able to say scrambled when he was younger, and the name had stuck. \u201cI’ll have to look,\u201d he said. \u201cI’m almost done here \u2013 maybe five more minutes.\u201d The package jerked beneath him, and he pressed the pillow down even harder. \u201cMy appointment book is out in the car. I’ll text you and let you know if I’m heading that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good.\u201d She paused and then said, \u201cNo messy jobs tonight, right? I hate washing your work clothes when you have to get messy.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI wore my coveralls,\u201d he said. \u201cDon’t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, good.\u201d Her voice sounded tired. \u201cHow late do you think you’ll be?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t wait up. I’ll try not to wake you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBe careful.\u201d She blew a kiss into the phone. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The package gave one final shudder and sank back into the bed. He held the pillow for a minute longer, just to make sure, and then he climbed down, dusted his gloved hands off, and let himself out the back door.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There were two more assignments before he could get the eggs, after all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
So, I have to admit that sometimes my brain works in weird ways… \u00a0Sometimes, it expresses itself in a flash story. \u00a0Like this one. Of course, the phone rang while he was working. He sighed and let it ring, knowing who it probably was. She had a talent for calling at exactly the …<\/p>\n