Written for “It’s Story Time” with Jolene.
Our four prompt lines are shown below.
Walter adjusted his apron and surveyed the counter with grim satisfaction. Thirty years as a mortician had taught him many things …. patience, discretion, and the particular art of making the departed look presentable. But nothing had prepared him for Mr. Buttons.
“This time it’s bound to work,” Walter muttered, uncorking the small bottle labeled the good stuff. The amber liquid caught the dim light beautifully.
Mr. Buttons stared back at him with his usual glassy optimism, red bow tie slightly askew.
It had started innocently enough. Walter’s brother Clement was a toy maker …. a brilliant, eccentric one …. who had stitched Mr. Buttons together from scraps of cashmere and well-kept secrets. On his deathbed, Clement had pressed the bear into Walter’s arms and whispered, “He just needs the right formula.”
That was three years ago.
Since then, Walter had tried formaldehyde (the bear turned slightly crispy), chloroform (inconclusive), and a mysterious powder that had come with a strongly worded disclaimer. His case records, stacked beside the antique syringe, documented each failed attempt with meticulous funeral-home precision.
He placed three careful drops onto Mr. Buttons’ nose.
Nothing.
Then …. a twitch. Walter gripped the counter.
Mr. Buttons blinked once, twice, then wrinkled his nose dramatically.
“What is that smell?” said a small, scratchy voice.
Walter smiled, slowly at first, until he found himself grinning.
“Hello, old friend.”
Mr. Buttons looked around the mortuary slowly, then back at Walter.
“Walter …. am I coming or going?”
Walter laughed …. a real laugh, for the first time in years. He straightened Mr. Buttons’ bow tie with trembling hands.
“Welcome back, Mr. B. I’ve missed you.”
NAR©2026
Jolene’s Prompts: 1. This time it’s bound to work; 2. What is that smell?; 3. Mortician; 4. Toy maker.
This is “Hello Old Friend” by Eric Clapton
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
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