TAKE A RANDOM PHOTO AND MAKE UP A SHORT STORY.
LOST IN THE PAST
A FICTIONAL CREATION
BY CHAMBRAY BLUE
His little sister placed plastic family figures purposely in the kitchen of the old tin house. He liked that house and wished it were his, for real. Sally Sue would be his bride next month, and all he had to offer her was a small apartment on the outskirts of town. But this house. If this were a real house, it would be perfect, with the five nice-sized rooms and deluxe furnishings.
"Excuse me, sir." A stout older woman all but pushed him aside as she turned the tag over to see the price of the dollhouse. "Too rich for my blood," she said as she walked away. Having his trance broken, he moved on.
Old dishes, though they were elegant to behold, did not interest him. He limped past them but was distracted by an old metal lunchbox pushed to the back of the second shelf. He moved a set of salt and pepper shakers and pulled it gently out to examine it. A smile filled his face. He could spy the minced ham sandwich, taste the homemade cupcake, and smell the thermos of coffee. Sally always made sure his packed lunch was one he would enjoy.
He almost walked past the stack of clothing in the next aisle, but the white scrubs stopped him in his tracks. The nurse that had taken care of Sally during her last days held him as he cried after her passing. He turned away quickly, wiping away a tear and in search of happy memories.
"There it is," he whispered. He ran his hand over the photo and turned to the guy next to him. "I had this same Chevrolet," he said, beaming. "Bought it brand-spanking-new as soon as I graduated high school." The guy nodded in acknowledgment. "I traded it in for a beater soon after," he continued his story. The far-off look in his eyes told the fellow standing next to him that he was no longer there.
Then a gleam returned.
"Bought my wife a house with a garage, couldn't afford both," He said, smiling. "And I'm glad I did."
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