Slow Cough and Sputter

by THX 0477

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Guiding the old Ford like it was a part of him, Dennis Yunker idled out of the parking lot and on to Main Street. It might as well have been a part of him after 40 years of grocery runs and Sunday church. Make that 39 years of church. Dennis hadn’t been since Maude’s death.

Excepting Maude, the only thing that’d been with Dennis longer than the truck was the double-barrel shotgun in the rack behind his head. It was a trusted, faithful companion, not that he’d named it. He always said only narcissists and sociopaths name weapons. The truck’s name was Sue, not that he admitted that to anyone.

Dennis and his truck both coughed and sputtered up Main. The gun stayed silent. There’s a time and a place. Now was a time for watching and waiting. Close as he was to death, Dennis had no trouble being patient. His course was slow but determined. He would achieve his ends as surely as water flows downhill.

For the time being, there was a lunch buffet at Sizzler calling his name. And he hated to be rude.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Slow Cough and Sputter

    Tad Winslow's Buddy Icon Tad Winslow

    Posted 8 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    So I’m waiting for all of these characters in their safe little worlds to play bumber cars with the paths of their lives. Is that the intention? That’s the only explanation I can come up with for all of these seemingly disjointed stories. I’m enjoying it, so keep on writin em!

  2. Slow Cough and Sputter

    THX 0477's Buddy Icon THX 0477

    Posted 8 days ago

    Yes, for Tad and anyone who reads these after him, the characters will all eventually collide. I promise. Would I lead you astray? No! Perish the thought. The possible connection should be clear in just two more ficlets, not that I know when exactly I’ll get to them. If anyone wants to blindly toss in another occupant to this small town, feel free. I’ll at least try to work them in.

  3. Slow Cough and Sputter

    Jenunique's Buddy Icon Jenunique

    Posted 7 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I think Dennis may be one of my neighbors. :D I am absloutely loving your descriptions. It really helps to get to know the characters before tossing us head first into the action. I have lost that patience. At least for now.
    .
    I am running out of “excellent” adjectives for you, so this time I’ll go with…. Outstanding!

  4. Slow Cough and Sputter

    Kermitgorf's Buddy Icon Kermitgorf

    Posted 5 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I’m figureing they are connected, in perhaps some past or future crime?

  5. Slow Cough and Sputter

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 3 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I somehow missed this one originally. I like the detail that only narcissists and sociopaths name their guns.

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