VERY Short Stories page two

Faux-paw

They were sitting companionably in the back yard after dinner. The lawn chairs were next to the fence, under the camphor tree. He smoked his pipe as she read her magazine. On the other side of the fence they heard classical music playing.

“What is that?” she asked.

“Bach, I think,” he replied.

“I thought they were going to be gone this weekend,” she said.
“So did I.”

They both got up and stood on tiptoe to look over the fence. They saw the neighbor’s cats, Tommy and Bunny.

“What are they doing?” she whispered

“It looks like they’re doing a Minuet,” he murmured.

Just then, the music ended. The cats parted and curled up on opposite ends of the patio.

“How strange!” she said, and sat down to finish her magazine.

“I agree,” he said thoughtfully, relighting his pipe. “The music was more appropriate for a Gavotte.”  

2002

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Home Alone

When he came home, the house was dark. Unlocking the front door, he walked in, calling, “Honey?” There was only silence.

“Maybe she’s shopping,” he thought.

He fixed himself a drink and went into the den, turning on all the lights as he moved from room to room. He sipped his drink and read the paper. He finished both drink and paper before realizing she still wasn’t home. Only mildly concerned, he went into the kitchen to fix a sandwich.

That was when he saw the note on the counter.

“I’m sorry,” it read. “It’s not really your fault or mine. It just doesn’t work anymore. We’ll both be happier, I think. I’ll send for the rest of my things later.”

It wasn’t signed, but it was in her handwriting. He threw the note away and started making his sandwich. Then he saw the sticky-note that had fallen on the floor.

It read, “P.S. I took the cat.”

His wails echoed into the night. 

2002