A customer suggested I try a flash-fiction writing contest. I’d have written another besides, but it’s no lie that five hundred words, some weeks, is harder than others. Anyway, this was what came to mind. Wish me luck!
Eating Crow
“Drumstick please.”
“Sure, sure, let me just saw the elbow in half so’s you don’t get the thigh too.”
“I doubt if ‘elbow’ is the right way to speak of the joint where leg meets thigh on a bird. However, I think I’ve always just assumed the thigh comes with the drumstick, at least, that’s the way it always used to be at my house.”
“Wow, that’s a lotta bird for one person. Assuming you’re talkin’ about Turkey of course, Professor . . .”
“I told you, call me Steve. Anyway, yes, we were a traditional household when it came to Thanksgiving. I’m not complaining mind you.”
“Your wife leaves ya because you lose your job, she takes the kids half way across the country, and everything else you own. She doesn’t think twice about leaving you to starve in a gutter. What have ya not to complain about? Hell, the only reason you’re spendin’ Thanksgiving with some bum like me is that your car’s broke down and you got tired half-way through a twenty-mile walk to the gas station. I mean, seriously, what goes right in your life?”
“Before losing my job, philosophy was my subject. First off, I’m lucky to know what so many great minds would think about a situation like mine. But secondly, if after life falls apart because, quite frankly, I’ve made some rather stupid blunders in choosing a wife who couldn’t be in it for the long haul, and not filling my tank when I had the chance, it’s rather spectacularly beautiful, if not downright gracious of life, to offer up some good company and a hot meal to take the edge off the pain that, quite frankly, I’ve been causing myself lately.
“I mean, where I am , this really is luck. Not only is being here the first boon I’ve had in a while, but it’s also allowing me the opportunity to see what kind of bliss-filled blindness I’ve kept myself in for far longer than I should have if I’d cared properly for myself to begin with. Mr. Schmidt, this moment marks a new beginning for me!”
“You’ll pardon my skepticism professor, but this certainly seems like a far cry from lucky to me. Of course, I kinda live this way professionally.”
“Well, Mr. Schmidt, you certainly demonstrate a penchant for survival. And you are certainly gracious and hospitable to say the least. Again, my gratitude to you. When this night is through I’ll be on my way to starting over. I’ll be happy to extend a new beginning to you as well, if you’re open to changing profession.”
“Well, that’s mighty kind of you Professor, but we’d better see what it looks like once you’ve got yourself back on track first . . .”
“You’re right at that Mr. Schmidt. In the meantime, gratitude is all I can know this night of thanks giving. If you would pass that crow’s leg over now, I’ll be ever grateful just for sharing this meal with you tonight.
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