Kismet

Flash Fiction

Kismet

“Jared,” Dad said, making Jared jump, “where are you taking that ladder?

“Ah, I need to use it…” he said. “I’ll bring it right back!” He turned to go…

“Jared!” Dad said, sternly, “Did you forget you’re not allowed to go up a ladder by yourself?”

“I won’t, I’m not going up it…”

“Then why are you carrying it?” Dad asked, now confused.

Jared held the ladder up with his left hand, wiping some sweat off his brow with his right. Obviously getting nervous now. “I was hoping I could put it where something could use it…” he mumbled…

“Something?”

“You can’t kill it!” Jared said, quickly.

“Jared!” Dad said, totally confused, He rushed over to where Jared was standing, and leaned the ladder on the house.

“I’m not going to kill anything! What are you talking about?”

Jared stood there, obviously still nervous.

“Jared, talk! I will listen to every word you say, I promise.”

“It’s… a… skunk…” Jared said slowly, then started rambling fast, “You can’t kill it! He’s just stuck, and scared. I know he’ll run away as soon as he can find a way to get down! Please don’t hurt him, he’s just scared.”

Suddenly wanting to hug his son, instead Dad put his hand on Jared’s shoulder. “We can help him, I promise.” he said, “Show me where he is.”

The skunk had somehow gotten on the roof of the porch. Obviously easier getting up than down. Well, obvious to a human. “I better get my tall ladder.” Dad said, “Stay here.”

The tall ladder reached up beyond the roof of the porch, and as they stood where the skunk couldn’t see them, it eventually climbed down.

Both Jared, and Dad, remembered that skunk moment for the rest of their long and happy lives. Kismet