At a recent Writers' Conference, the conferees were given the opportunity to enter a contest to come up with a 250 word story based on the word "stray." I didn't win the contest but I like my result. How many different "stray" things are actually happening in these 250 words?
Stray
“I wish I could be as care free and wild…” The music slipped from a second story window as he walked down the alley. A trash can rocked as a startled cat jumped away from his flashlight beam.
Where had that stupid little frou-frou dog gone? He hated the dog and he hated his wife for leaving town and not taking the fuzzy little pest along. He should have kept it on its leash. He should have put in the laundry room and let it pee on the floor. He should just let the damn thing run away and get eaten by a real dog.
The light finally caught the quivering canine hiding behind a battered box. It immediately started yipping. Worthless piece of garbage dog. He scooped it up and put his hand over its mouth. Silence returned except for the muted strains of the old song. “…you’re a real gone guy...”
He turned out of the alley and onto the street. A jogger caught his eye. She was gorgeous.
He had seen her running past his house several nights in a row. She turned the corner and was illuminated by the streetlight. She caught him looking at her. And she smiled.
“What a cute little dog!” Cute jogger stopped running and reached out to pet the frou-frou dog.
“Yes, isn’t he sweet?”
“I sooo love little dogs!”
“Me too!”
“I love a man who likes little dogs.”
“Would you want to get a drink?”
Jeff Michaels © 2008
Please do not reprint in part or whole without prior permission.