Prompt by: Gibberish: FFF (Flash Fiction Fridays)
Prompt: Writer : 1000 words
The wind sent gentle ripples across the water creating the perfect environment as Murray set up his lawn chair under a tree. Once done he glanced out at the water watching the ducks playfully upend themselves in search of tidbits on the bottom of the lake. He chuckled warmly before settling into his chair. Opening his laptop he began typing.
Along the path strode a young woman silhouetted by the azure sky. She wasn’t in a hurry as her laconic steps took in the satisfying warmth the day was pushing forth.
Murray looked up as a shadow presented itself in his field of vision.
“Excuse me,” inquired a melodic voice. “Are you a writer?”
Murray smiled at the question he had been asked pretty much every time he opened his laptop in public. His answers usually varied depending on the timing of the vent. Another twenty minutes on would provoke a different response. “I am,” he replied with casual indifference. “I write short stories and poetry,” he continued.
“Would I have read anything you have written?”
Murray looked at her more closely. Bright blue eyes. An inviting smile. “It could be possible,” he began, “however I am unaware of what you read.”
“I read pretty much anything,” she continued. “What are you writing right now?”
The lilt of her voice caught his attention. He was a little disarmed by her appearance in the present and intrigued by her presentation. “I had just started writing about someone walking along the path when you spoke to me. Not much so far but it’s a start. Oh,” he added, “I was watching the ducks upend themselves for food in the shallow water and am keeping that in the back of my mind to use somehow in the story.
She looked over at the water. “Ducks wagging their tails at us. Now that is funny.” She lunged forward. “Gloria. Gloria Beaches.” She laughed heartily, offering her hand. “Beaches. Get it,” as she turned and waved her hand along the glistening shoreline.”
“I see,” Murray mumbled. “Beaches. Murray,” he offered as he shook her hand.
“I was just doing some window shopping when I thought to myself, Gloria, a walk along the beach would be nice.” She gave a half laugh.
Murray regretted it as soon as he said it. “Did you see anything interesting in your window shopping?”
“Downtown? No. Nothing to my taste.” She stood looking at Murray. “Would you mind if I stay here in the shade for a little bit before I move on? It’s going to be a scorcher today.” Without waiting for a reply she sat in the shade beside him and was focusing her intentions on the water.
Murray stared at her intently for a few seconds before he began typing again.
She sat down quietly, her intentions focused on the horizon, her thoughts jumbled yet relaxed at the same time. She turned towards the man sitting close by and said,
“I am thinking of getting something to drink at the canteen. Would you like something?”
Murray looked up quickly, startled by the interruption. “Thank you for the offer but I came prepared,” he replied as he picked up his water bottle, opening the spout.
“Well ain’t that something,” she replied. “How about an ice cream cone?”
“Lactose intolerant,” he replied a bit glumly. He would have loved an ice cream cone but felt that by accepting he would cement a relationship he didn’t really want.
Gloria stared at him for a minute. “Okay then. I will be back,” she stated before turning and heading towards the canteen.
Murray’s eyes followed her for a little bit before returning to his laptop which he studiously kept his eyes on during the discussions to make sure it wouldn’t go to sleep on him. He read what he had written so far before typing again.
The extent of any position one takes is wholly reliable on the resistance one develops towards disseminating their views. Perhaps the harshness of the situation was more reality than the calmness he deserved.
Bob mused wistfully, regretting the discomfort he felt. “Time to take charge of the situation,” he observed as he looked down the pathway for the third time.
Murray looked cautiously out at the water, seeing a laker moving on the horizon. He wondered if that would be a better spot for his writing, just gazing at the blue water and seeing the horizon when he looked up. Murray sighed before turning his eyes to the pathway where Gloria was slowly making her way towards him.
“I got you an ice cream cone anyway,” she stated when she was close enough. Murray looked at the melting mess in her hand before accepting her offering.”
“Thank you,” he replied. He observed the various drippings before taking the first turn around his favourite type of ice cream cone. Murray looked over at Gloria. “Marcia,” he said calmly. “This role playing isn’t working out. Your character is too annoying.”
Marcia tossed her head back and laughed. “If nothing else, you got a good start to your story. I should have gone with the more seductive route for you Bob.”
“It is only through pain do we learn. It is with pleasure that we grow.”
Bob proceeded to type his thoughts into his laptop, as he absorbed the relaxing sounds of water beating against the shore.