Short Story

Honeysuckle and Provolone

Originally written several years ago, I thought this fitting
for this week’s Unicorn Challenge where we are
asked to get creative in 250 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

© Ayr/Gray

The minute she walked into my deli, I fell head over heels. Even through the crack in the storage room door, I was dazzled by her hair – the color of a bright autumn day – and skin as pure as a dove.

I dashed from the back room and positioned myself on the other side of the display case directly in her line of vision. I asked if she needed help; when she spoke, her lilting Irish brogue made me go weak in the knees. I came around to her side, told her my name was Bruno and began to describe some of the items.

She smelled like honeysuckle; I smelled like provolone.

Seeing she was still undecided about what to buy, I offered her some samples – on the house – if she promised to come back the next day to buy something, even one slice of salami. She grinned, making her eyes dance, and accepted my offer.

The next day she returned and placed an order for dinner that night – “enough for two” she explained. Of course, a woman like her would have someone special in her life; I hoped my disappointment didn’t show. I packed up her items and she handed me a check.

“Don’t lose that, Bruno; you’ll need my address for dinner tonight.….if you’ll join me, that is.” Her smile nearly knocked me out. I nodded mutely like an idiot.

“Oh, wonderful!” she trilled. “See you at 7:00!”

Her name was on the check: “Autumn”.

Perfection.

NAR©2024
250 Words

This is “Honeysuckle Rose” by Tony Bennett

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

33 thoughts on “Honeysuckle and Provolone”

    1. The Elvis legs. Ha! That’s funny and I know exactly what you mean. Thanks, Phil!

      PS – Talk about an accent ….. my relatives residing in Australia speak English with an Italian/Australian accent. I’ve never heard anything like it before and I can’t replicate it. It’s hilarious but so endearing.

      Liked by 1 person

  1. who could resist?

    (many spend a lifetime in search of that rarest of interpersonal qualities, unconditional love, to have it walk in off the street? crouch, be grateful and accept the offered paw)

    lol

    (a fan of the canine people)

    Liked by 1 person

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