This month’s winner, A. L. Adams, used the prompts in interesting ways, and we love the twist this second-person story takes.
Character: The person no one expected
Setting: Where everything is topsy-turvy
Prop: Untied shoelaces
Phrase: Watch your step!
***
Watch your step when you go down to the boathouse. In the winter, the stairs are frosty; in the summer the top ones are mossy and the ones at the waterline are often beslimed. If you want me to escort you, Nan, I will. I’ll hold your and and slip my arm under your elbow to support you as we climb.
The boats are closer now; the tide is higher so they make free with more of the space. The Tollycraft wears a green visor; the tugboat’s got that brickred stripe, designed to disguise whatever rust. No, Nan; we’re not getting on them. Yes, Nan, they are “quite a sight.” The trees? We could cross the bridge to see those trees, but remember? You didn’t like that last time. Yes, Nan, the rocks are dirty but no, we can’t clean them. Those are barnacles. See how they’re so stuck-on?
Now let’s go in the boathouse so you won’t get too cold. We’ll open the door so you can still see the boats. This door seems stuck—no, i’m creaking it open…Hey. Everything’s in disarray. The ropes are unlooped and flung like shoelaces. Our little skiff is turned halfway over, gagging on water. The other boat…Another boat? We don’t have one! But there it is, another boat, hullup on the concrete walkway like a space invader’s pod. Wait…I know that boat. Oh, God! It’s rolling over!
Dad?
Oh, God; how long have you been here? We didn’t know your sentence was up.
What the fuck do you mean, “It’s not?” Pardon my French, Nana, but Dad. What the FUCK.
Nana—no, it’s okay Honey. This is Wallace. Yes you do. Your son.
Dad. Fuck. We never saw you, okay?
We’re just…okay okay. Nana Honey? We saw the boats and now we’re going. That’s it; very good. I’ve got your hand, Dear.
Watch your step now as we go up these stairs.
They can be slippery.
Yes. I know.
©2014 A. L. Adams
A. L. Adams daylights as an art spy for the Portland Mercury and Oregon ArtsWatch. She moonlights as many things, and has more than a few stories.
Filed under: Mini Sledgehammers | Tagged: 36 minutes, 36-minute writing contest, a. l. adams, Blackbird Wine, Blackbird Wine & Atomic Cheese, Blackbird Wine Shop, free, Indigo Editing, Indigo Editing & Publications, Mini Sledgehammer, Portland, prizes, publish, short story, writing contest |
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