Short Story

Affaire de Famille

Written for The Unicorn Challenge were Jenne encourages us
to write something magically creative in 250 words or less
using the photo below for inspiration. Here is my story.

Ā© Ayr/Gray

The letter arrived the other day. Terse, to the point of being almost rude. Where have peopleā€™s manners gone in todayā€™s society?

You see, this building .ā€¦ the one with the orange shutters and the sign which reads MOULIN ƀ HOUILE ā€¦. has been in my family for generations. We were among the best olive oil makers in the region for more years than I can count.

My twin brother, Marcel, and I grew up here at the elbows of our grandfather, father and uncle as they worked the presses in the mill to produce the purest of olive oils. The huile dā€™olive was then bottled and prepared for distribution to fine-end stores and restaurants. We had a thriving family business.

As is the nature of all familial enterprises, there was no question that Marcel and I would take our place working in the mill. It was as innate as taking our next breath. Then the unthinkable happened; our father died suddenly leaving no will and, during our grief, his brother secretly arranged for the takeover of the business, employing only his sons and kicking Marcel and me to the curb. We tried having the decision reversed but were unsuccessful.

One by one our uncleā€™s sons abandoned the business leaving him alone with strangers in his employ. Now it is our time for payback.

My gun is aimed at the open window while Marcel keeps guard. Our uncle appears, my finger teases the trigger and abruptly Iā€™m plunged into darkness.

NARĀ©2024
250 Words

This is ā€œFamily Affairā€ by Sly and The Family Stone

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantā€™s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARĀ©2017-present.

Short Story

Eulogy

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #154

ā€œā€™It wasnā€™t that long ago when Ethan was rarely bothered by mosquitos, but this year heā€™s being eaten alive by themā€™.ā€  

I wrote that in my diary just a few weeks ago.

Thank you all for joining us today as we say ā€˜farewellā€™ to my beloved husband, Ethan ā€¦. another innocent victim struck down in the prime of life by the dastardly mosquito. Ethan was attacked last week while bringing out the trash for pick-up in the morning; it was just a quick run to the curb but he didnā€™t have his EpiPen on him. Who knew just a few moments later heā€™d be in cardiac arrest from anaphylactic shock?

Ethan was never bothered by mosquitos before and at first it was just an annoying surprise when he started developing a reaction a few months ago. The change in him was sudden and drastic and, as much as I will miss him, Iā€™m so thankful his time of suffering was short.

Doctors canā€™t say whether this is a genetic trait, if our children Evan, Ella and Emily will develop this horrible allergy. To help our children realize the seriousness of this situation and to protect them, Ethan has left them his award-winning collection of swatters, his supply of EpiPens, his boxes of citronella candles, his stash of DEET and, of course, his journal.

When the allergic reactions started, Ethan began writing down his thoughts; as a poet, he wrote some of his best work over the recent months. He was most evocative in his agony.

In closing I would like to read one of his most poignant poems. Itā€™s called ā€˜Ode To The Mosquitoā€™. And please .ā€¦ next time you see a mosquito, ask yourselves ā€˜What would Ethan do?ā€™

Ode To The Mosquito

How can such a little thing
Be so damn annoying?
Flying round my arms and legs
Itā€™s bothersome and cloying.

Go away, you vile thing
Iā€™ll swat you with a stick.
Youā€™re not welcome in my home
You nasty little prick!

Who would think that tiny guy
Could be such a bloody sucker?
When he sticks his fangs in me
I scream ā€œYou Motherf*#+er!ā€

You get me every time Iā€™m out;
My blood is extra sweet.
Come and get me, little twit!
Tonight Iā€™m packing DEET!

The end. šŸ¦Ÿ

NARĀ©2024
Poem originally posted 2022

This is ā€œThe Mosquitoā€ by The Doors

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantā€™s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARĀ©2017-present.