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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/item_id/2338096-Angel-Feathers/day/6-11-2025
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Rated: 18+ · Book · Writing · #2338096

Brief prose and poetry lacking other categories... (Only rated 18+ as a formality :)

Basically anything under 1k or 500 words that's not a Drabble, an Express It in Eight, or a Promptly Poetry. Enjoy *Smile*

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June 11, 2025 at 6:52am
June 11, 2025 at 6:52am
#1091232
My head jerked upright as I slouched on the concrete bench in front of the grocery store, my scruffy mutt Rufus at my feet. I needed a drink of water. I was starting to see things. Just a few minutes ago, I thought I saw an old guy wearing a pumpkin color suit and a floppy, oversized straw hat, carrying two bright green bags…

Blinking away the daydreams, I looked out at the bustling parking lot and realized I had seen him. Indeed, he was still there, walking along at a measured pace with a shopping tote in each hand, the trademark Publix shade of green.

My bleary eyes, desperate for a diversion, followed him to his car, an antique Woody Wagon in the same shade of pumpkin as his clothes. He set one tote on the ground to look through his pockets for his keys. Not finding them immediately, he set down the other tote.

He couldn't find them in any pocket at all, apparently, because he walked slowly around his station wagon, checking for an unlocked door. I felt bad for him, standing helplessly under the broiling Florida sun. No wonder he was wearing that funny hat.

I stood up, ran a hand through my greasy, unruly hair, and shuffled towards him, hoping I didn't look too disheveled. Rufus padded after me.

“Excuse me, sir, do you need some help?”

I spoke quickly, knowing his first assumption, based on appearances, would be I was asking him for money. He looked me in the eye and said, in a voice with the piping tones of a man in his eighties,

“I’m afraid I've lost my car keys. Do you think you can help me find them, young man?”

I smiled, because it had been a long time since anyone called me young.

“Sure, I'll try my best. You remember where you left them?”

“If I remembered that, I wouldn't have lost them,” he chuckled. “My name is Paul, by the way. Nice dog you have here.”

“Thanks. He's my rescue guy. I'm Louie.” I scratched Rufus behind the ears. “You think you might've left them in the store?”

“Let's see… I did have to stand at the pharmacy counter for a while, discussing my coverage. I might have left them there. Then I needed to cash a check at the return desk.”

“We'd better go in and see if anyone's turned them over.”

Paul stooped to pick up his totes. They were heavy, so I insisted on carrying them instead. At the entrance, I told Rufus to sit and stay. Publix has an “absolutely no pets inside” policy. The last thing I needed was to be unceremoniously trespassed from yet another store. Rufus wagged his tail and sat obediently in a corner, out of everyone's way.

We went to the customer service desk and asked if there were any keys handed over to lost and found. The lady checked their records, looked in a drawer, and shook her head. Next, we went to the pharmacy.

Paul plodded cautiously, picking up his feet with intention and keeping his eyes to the floor. I suspect he preferred using a cane. Perhaps he had lost it. I tried not to be too self-conscious as we walked together, one elderly well-dressed guy and one shabby bum.

The pharmacist immediately said yes, there was a set of keys which someone had left on her counter and she had sequestered for safekeeping.

“What car do you drive, sir?”

“A Ford station wagon, about forty years old. My car keys aren't those highfalutin electrical key fobs you see nowadays. Just plain old gold keys.”

“Yes, sir, that’s the ones.”

She brought them up, and we thanked her and headed back outside. Rufus waited patiently for me. A strong wind was sending clouds flying across the sky and junk flying through the parking lot as I carried Paul's totes back to his car.

One sharp gust tore his big straw hat right off of his head. It rolled and tumbled away as if it were alive. I couldn't drop the groceries to chase after it.

“Rufus! Fetch!”

It was an instinctive command, yet incredibly stupid. If the hat went in front of a car or out into the street—yikes! I prayed it would be safe as Rufus went running. Thankfully, the floppy thing got caught in some shrubbery at the corner. He grabbed it in his mouth and came trotting back triumphantly.

I took it from him, trying to wipe off the slobber.

“Here you are, sir. Good as new… just a little sticky. It'll dry out in the sunshine.”

“Thank you for all your help, Louie.” Paul adjusted the straw hat back securely on his head. “You've been a blessing.”

“It was nothing, really.”

“No, no—if you hadn't shown up, who would have carried my shopping bags? Or caught my hat? Such kindness warrants a reward.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out a bill.

“Oh geez, sir, I couldn't take your money…”

The look of longing on my face belied me as I thought of how much I needed it. He pressed the hundred dollar bill into my hand and patted my shoulder.

“I pray better days are ahead of you, young man.”

“So do I. Thank you very much, Paul. It was nice meeting you.”

I shook his hand and went back to sit on the bench by the store with Rufus, calculating how many days of food I could buy for us with the money. I should save a little to get myself a sunhat, to remember Paul.

Words: 938.
Written for "Merit Badge Magic" Open in new Window.
And also for "Starting Stories" Open in new Window.
Required story starter highlighted in blue.


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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/item_id/2338096-Angel-Feathers/day/6-11-2025