Prompt: This was the final assignment for the dialogue part of my Creative Writing course; take your dialogue (see previous post) and make it a short story, maximum of 500 words.
The bar Kate had chosen was a little shady, but he knew why she’d chosen it. It wasn’t a bar her friends or family would visit, not a bar where she’d run into anyone. “It’s great to see you again! You really haven’t changed.” He turned around and there stood Kate. He quickly hugged her, taking in her features. The same features he’d hugged so often many years ago. “Well, you definitely have. How is being pregnant treating you?” “It’s not really a problem yet. I’m past the morning sickness, but no back pains yet, so I’m good. Everyone is spoiling me though, and I am enjoying it way too much.” “So your husband is treating you well, I take it?” “Technically, he isn’t my husband yet.” This took him by surprise; he’d figured John had proposed to her right now. “I think he’s waiting for the baby to arrive’, Kate explained. “But don’t you worry, you’ll obviously get an invite! I wouldn’t marry without you there.” “Does John agree with that?” he muttered, knowing how John felt about him. “What?” “Oh, never mind. So, what would you like to drink? Share a bottle of red wine, like the old days?” He changed the subject as the waitress approached. “I really shouldn’t drink, what with the baby… But I guess one time wouldn’t hurt.” “One bottle of your finest red, please” he told the waitress, checking her out as she turned her back on them again. “So what are you up to these days?” “Me? Nothing much, really. I’m not settling down like you are; got myself an apartment on the other side of town. You know me, one job, then another, some travelling if I feel like it.” “You really haven’t changed at all, have you?” “Not really, I guess. I suppose at some point, I might have to find a wife, but and settle for a career, but not right now.” “I don’t think you’ll ever grow up, Rich.” “That’s why you like me” he said grinning. “Certainly, or I wouldn’t be sitting here.” The waitress approached again, and he gave her a broad smile. “Here’s your wine, sir. Would you need anything else? “No, thanks darling”, he replied, giving her a wink. Kate raised her eyebrows at him. “You truly haven’t changed. Flirting with the waitress, really?” “As the youth say; you only live once.” “We’re not young anymore, even if you pretend to be.” “We’ll see about that” he said, as they drowned the first glass. A few hours later they were both drunk, sitting in an old motel room, with sheets that were white once. “This was a mistake.” “Why? It feels great. Just like old times. You still have it, girl.” “It’s a long way back from seventeen, you know.” “When did you become this boring?” “People change.” “That’s just what you like to think. You need to find a reason for yourself, an explanation. Well, let me give you one. You just wanted to live a little.” “That’s not what it is, Richard.” “Yeah, it is. You’re just convincing yourself that all of this is a good idea. And I don’t mean us. I mean John in his grey suits, the baby, your office job. You’re trying to convince yourself that you’re not making a mistake, because deep down you know you are.” “No, I don’t. You’re misinterpreting everything.” “The scratches on my back prove otherwise, dear Kate.”
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February 2017
About meWelcome to my blog! This is where I post my stories, occasionally accompanied by personal thoughts. I always post short stories, as I keep the longer ones for myself. My stories are often based on songs. I listen to music a lot (mostly pop punk / punk rock), and often get inspired by melodies, lyrics, or music videos. |