Short Story

Clouds In My Coffee

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Only Murders In My Mind
Weekly Writing Prompt #61. This week’s
inspiration is the photo seen below.
This is my take.

Photo is not accredited

After Kyle left me for my best friend, Tanya, I found solace in my kitchen, baking and crafting homemade cappuccino. Yet, each frothy swirl revealed haunting faces …. his grin, his smirk, even his soulful eyes. At first, I thought it was grief playing tricks on me, but soon the apparitions started talking to me in Kyle’s voice. He was begging for forgiveness for leaving me for Tanya and pleading with me to take him back. I felt like I was losing my mind!

That night I couldn’t sleep; I kept hearing Kyle calling my name. The next morning I marched into the kitchen, unplugged the cappuccino maker, and carried it outside for the trash. Just then, my one-time BFF Tanya drove by and stopped, asking me if I was getting rid of the machine. I said I was and Tanya immediately asked if she could have it. I smiled broadly, telling Tanya it was all hers. Tanya put the cappuccino maker in her car and gleefully drove off.

I turned and walked back into the house, humming all the way. I sat at the kitchen table, opened my Mac and searched Amazon for a solid and reliable Keurig coffee machine. And what luck! I found one on sale with next day delivery. I was finally over my cappuccino habit!

NAR©2025

This is “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon

Weekly Writing Prompt

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

35 thoughts on “Clouds In My Coffee”

  9. Nancy, this cracked me up—equal parts eerie and empowering! That final twist with the cappuccino machine felt like poetic justice served hot. And I love that song by Carly! ❤

    Much love,
    David

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    1. The heat will do strange things to your head! With that funny foam face staring up at me, I thought I heard it calling out! LOL!

      So glad you enjoyed my story, David; I loved writing it! And the song was a definite. Thanks very much, my friend! ♡

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  13. Oh no, an enigmatic talking coffee machine, percolating out such a “strange brew” … your wondrous story deserves two fabulous songs, Nancy …

    And one cup of coffee for you!

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