Friday, September 10, 2010

Short Story

Long, long ago, in a galaxy before children, I entered a short story contest.

I didn't win.  Bummer. 

But, as I was cleaning up some files today, I rediscovered it and thought I'd post it here.  Then I can kind of say I "won" because my story was "published".

The theme of the contest was "Be careful what you wish for..."

So...go grab your cup of tea and enjoy...

The Fortune Cookie

“Be careful what you wish for…in bed!” The table erupted in laughter as Jean read her fortune cookie, adding the joke ending. Getting up from the table, she bid her friends farewell and walked alone out into the night.


As she strolled down the quiet streets, she wistfully started playing The Game.

“If I could wish for anything, first I’d wish for more wishes.” She laughed, not noticing the shimmer of light disappearing in a shower of colors above her head.

“Then I’d wish for money, of course.” Looking down, Jean was startled to see a $100 bill lying on the sidewalk. Picking it up, she giggled. “Okaaaay…in that case, I wish for jewelry.”

Jean’s jaw dropped in shock as diamond and sapphire rings appeared on her fingers. She felt a cool heaviness around her throat and reached up to touch a necklace made of emeralds. “Oh my God,” she whispered. Glancing around at the empty streets, she whispered, “I wish for a red Ferrari with black leather interior.” Instantly the car appeared. Jean stuck her hands in her coat pocket and closed her fingers around a set of keys. “This is impossible.”

Giddily she ran to the car and opened the door. She sank into the buttery leather seats and sighed. Excitement jolted through her as she realized her wishes were coming true.

“How many do I have? I’d better make them good.” She got out and leaned against the hood of the car. “I wish for a new designer wardrobe, made exclusively for me.” Instantly her jeans and t-shirt were replaced by a suede skirt and cashmere sweater that fit her like a glove.

“I wish for a billion dollars!” She opened her purse and grabbed the wallet sitting on top. Opening it, she pulled out credit cards in her name and a fist full of cash. She started dancing around the sidewalk. “I can’t believe this is happening!!” She paused…what else to wish for? Holding up her fingers, she started counting her wishes.

“Okay. I have the money, the jewelry, the car, the clothes and the cash. What more do I want?” She snapped her fingers. “I know! I wish for a tall, dark handsome stranger to come swooping into my life.”

Instantly a man appeared before her. He was tall, with jet black hair and as handsome as sin. Jean’s eyes glazed over as she stared into his dark eyes. Belatedly she realized sculpted lips were forming words.

“I said, hand it over!! Now!” Shaking her head she looked down and saw a gun pointed at her. “Give me all of it,” he growled as he reached for her necklace with his empty hand. Jean started to struggle against him.

Suddenly the gun exploded. Falling to the ground, Jean began to loose strength. The dark stranger leaned over her, quickly taking her jewels, her purse and her car keys. As darkness started to close around her, he jumped into her car and drove down the street.

Be careful what you wish for...

No comments: