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 - a challenge - 52 short stories in 52 weeks...something must be worth reading, right? |
Allison stared at the overcrowded sink, the streaks of oil and grease around the gas cooker, and the pot of sauce sitting open—its contents drying into an unappetizing crust. You get the picture. She closed her eyes and took a long, steady breath— “Hey, roomie! Welcome back. Rough day at work, huh?” She lifted her lashes and turned to face him. “I get it, Jason,” she began, carefully choosing her tone. “You work from home, so maybe keeping the place clean isn’t exactly your top priority. But could you please—” To her irritation, he was chuckling—a sure sign he wasn’t listening. “Chill, Ally,” he said when her glare finally registered. “You know I’ll get to it eventually. If it makes you feel better, just pretend I’m not here when you get home and try to relax.” Pretend you’re not here? Allison thought, watching him shuffle toward the sink. You have no idea how often I already do that. She imagined walking into an apartment so spotless you could eat off the floor. It would smell like roses and pine instead of day-old pasta and stale beer. It wasn’t too much to ask, was it? Yet when he set down a steaming plate of her favourite pasta and a chilled bottle of her favourite wine—his peace offering—she couldn’t help but feel a warm pulse of gratitude. Yes, Jason was a slob. But in moments like this, it was easier to remember why she tolerated him. He understood that her work as a nurse—especially after long, gruelling night shifts—demanded someone who could give her space, and Jason delivered on that. Still, she thought, watching him fumble with the dish soap, it wouldn’t hurt to teach him the magic of a sponge. -------------- Word Count: 296 Prompt: Write a story that includes the line: “Pretend I’m not here.” Written For: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  |
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