The Worst News Ever

by John Perkins

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The metal hinges growled under the strain as he threw his entire weight against the door. Expecting more resistance, he stumbled onto the sidewalk. His arms flailing wildly until his momentum was stopped by a taxi parked at the curb.

An old woman clutched her purse close to her chest watching his frantic movements. After quickly steadying himself, he turned and ran past the woman paying her no mind. A man and his son inside the diner that was just vacated, follow the man with their eyes until he rounds the corner out of sight. They stare at the corner blankly for a few seconds before turning their gaze on a young woman who ran to the front of the diner after the man, only to stop just outside the door.

“Harry!” The young woman called but the man either ignored her cries or did not hear them. She collapsed at the feet of the old woman and began to cry.

The old woman looked down at the sobbing woman, “what happened?”

“I just told him I was pregnant.”

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. The Worst News Ever

    Jenunique's Buddy Icon Jenunique

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I laughed, and then felt bad for laughing (then I laughed again. :/) I could picture this scene so easily- flailing arms and all. Great job.

  2. The Worst News Ever

    KevMullins' Buddy Icon KevMullins

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    That last line was pure brilliance and totally unexpected.

  3. The Worst News Ever

    BMGelinas' Buddy Icon BMGelinas

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Great writing. But… “the worst news ever”? I guess it depends on your situation. To me, if I knew I was going to be a father, I’d welcome it with open arms.

  4. The Worst News Ever

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted about 1 month ago

    @BMGelinas: Thank you for the compliment. The title is intended to be an exaggeration. However, we also know very little about these characters, so the title could be appropriate given the situation. Let’s say the man and woman are married, but the man is infertile. In that scenario, this could very well be the worst news ever.

  5. The Worst News Ever

    BMGelinas' Buddy Icon BMGelinas

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    @John: Agreed. We do not know the circumstances of these characters yet. the scenario you describe would lend to the revelation being “the worst news ever.”

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