FICTION | QUIET HORROR | SHORT STORY
A Case of Slight Chill
A flash fiction story
“Good morning, Debra! Enjoying your morning walk?”
“Yes, dear! Are the kids off to school?”
“Yes! And I’m late for work as usual. Say hi to John for me!”
“I will, dear. You go on now… Little ol’ me will walk on a bit more…”
“Hey, Debra! You’re coming for Bingo this evening, right?”
“Of course, Sally! When have I ever missed? I’ll be there.”
“Last week, Debra. You missed Bingo evening last week. I’m glad you will make it today. Don’t forget the cookies! Your cookies are the best part of Bingo evening!”
“Of course not. I never forget, Sally! I’ll be there, cookies in tow.”
“Debra! Good morning! Isn’t John with you? I haven’t seen him in a while…”
“Hello, Travis! Good morning! John has caught a rather bad chill. He isn’t able to walk because of it.”
“Oh! Sorry to hear that. Hope he gets well soon!”
“Aunty Debra! Can I come today and show Uncle John my puppy? He promised to help me teach her tricks!”
“Hello, Tommy! Is that your puppy? Aww… she’s such a little sweetie! Sorry dear, but Uncle John has caught a bad chill. You mustn’t come to see him now, your cute little puppy either! I’ll let you know when he’s better…”
“Hello, John! I’m back home!
“I had a lovely morning walk. Spring’s here now. The air is so fresh and sweet. The trees are all flowering. Everyone was asking after you. Tommy wants you to teach his cute little puppy new tricks. I told him you have a bad chill and he mustn’t see you now. Ah, I almost forgot. Travis also asked after you.
“It’s so sweet. All your friends want to know where you are and how you are. I told them of your chill. They were most concerned, hahaha!
“Today’s Bingo evening! That means cookies! Let me get breakfast done; and then it’s baking time.
“Breakfast is served, John! It’s blueberry pancakes today, just as you like them. Hot, fluffy, with plenty of maple syrup. You’ve always had a sweet tooth, haven’t you?
“Oh dear — you aren’t feeling well enough to eat? These are your favorite, John. Just a tiny bite? No? Ok, dear. I’ll make them again when you feel better.
“Ah. Glorious. Even if I do say so myself. You don’t know what you are missing, John!
“I’ve done the dishes, John. Help me dry them, will you? Ah, silly me. When have you ever helped me with the dishes? In our 50 years of marriage? You certainly can’t now, what with your chill…
“You hang in there, dear. I’ll take a quick shower and come…
“John, would you like some broth? Some nice hot broth? You didn’t have a bite of breakfast. Let me fix you some.
“John, dear! Come on! Here’s a nice steaming bowl of chicken broth. It will clear up that chill like nothing else can. Come on, now! John!
“No? you don’t want broth either? John… Don’t be such a big baby. Come on, before it gets cold. No? John, you are a very naughty boy. Very naughty! I’m so disappointed in you. OK, sulk if you want. I’m going to take a nice nap now. I’ve got all those cookies to bake!
“Cookie time, John! Would you like to sit in the kitchen? I know you love cookies! No? OK. I’ll leave the door open. You can watch me bake.
“Ah… cinnamon. Such a divine fragrance. Your favourite, right, John? You always loved cinnamon cookies. Ok now… this batch is just… perfect. What shall I bake next, chocolate chip? Ok. Chocolate chip it is!
“And… these are ready too. I think I’ll wind up with a batch of plain butter cookies. Sally loves those.
“All done, dear. Let me box them now…
“John, dear, I’m finished up here. So I’ll let myself out. You don’t need to get up. We are going to have a grand time this evening. You never did like me to go for Bingo evening, did you, John? But you liked the cookies well enough! When your chill gets better, maybe you can have some.
“But you caught the chill because of cookies, didn’t you, John? Last week, you just couldn’t keep your hands off those cinnamon cookies. I told you. I specifically told you that you could have two, no more. But no! Like a greedy little pig, you hogged the entire plate of cookies. You just wouldn’t listen, would you, John? You never have. Not in our 50 years of marriage. You always wiped out the cinnamon cookies. Why couldn’t you just take two? I was so tired that evening, I just didn’t have the strength to bake another batch, dear. And I couldn’t go for Bingo evening then, could I? without the cookies? Everyone loves my cookies. If only you had taken just two, I wouldn’t have had to punish you, dear. 50 years of hogging all the cinnamon cookies was a little too much for me that evening. It was also my fault, maybe, just a little. Maybe I should have punished you a little sooner. But then, you learnt last week, didn’t you? Nothing a gallon of hot, melted butter can’t cure. And you were naughty then too, John. Weren’t you? How you fought… But in the end, I made you drink it all down, didn’t I? I made you drink it all down! Let me shut the door now. We mustn’t let that chill out. Hahaha!”
Debra shut the door of the refrigerator.
She stepped out of the house, locked it, and walked jauntily away, a hamper of cookies tucked under her arm.
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