Slim had a pretty good trailer. He hadn’t rolled it in years, he kept it up on blocks to save the tires. The edge of the woods suited him well. He came home, after getting a week’s groceries and supplies, and laid his assorted bags onto the little trailer table. Then he reached outside onto the window sill and picked up a little chess piece that was laid in the window frame, and places it on the little trailer table in the breakfast hutch.
What I do is this. As soon as I wake up, I prepare myself with a normal morning routine, and then I sit down and write a story about whatever comes to mind. More often than not, it is a surprise. Some people call this type of writing Flash Fiction. This is my marathon, Flash Fiction February.
Slim likes things old-fashioned. This helps him with his writing. He has a computer, he can certainly connect to everything with his cell phone and hotspot out there, even where he is. Instead, however, he turns on an old, 13” color TV with aluminum foil antenna boosters, and watched the local afternoon news show. It’s not like he thinks that’s actual news, but it gives him something to laugh about, and allows him to see how “the theys” as he calls them, like things to be perceived.
It’s not like he’s a Luddite or something, not at all. He has a nice battery unit that he charges with a solar panel, and there is a small gas generator for some of the chores he likes to do outside and in case of emergency. The fridge is cold, The propane stove and oven is hot. He can use the inline hot water heater when the water bladder he keeps on the roof doesn’t get hot enough in the sun for washing and cleaning. It’s a simple life, but not without some comforts.
The newsreader is telling about a disturbance in town. Some coyotes made their way down a couple of alleys and, when making their presence known, as they seem to like to do for some reason, drew fire from a young person, new to rural life. “Everything is a nail.” Slim says under his breath to himself.
Frank and Lila have a set-up about 15 minutes down the trail. They are out for a walk and check-in on Slim.
“Heya Slim, what’s the word?” Frank says.
“Hey you two, I’m just getting back from town. Putting things away.” He replies. “How about you?”
“Really just the usual, nothing to report.” Lila says. “Except for those howls from the woods last night, did you hear that?”
“I was out pretty good, I didn’t hear much. Probably those coyotes, or maybe a loon, or something.” Slim opines.
“If it was a coyote, I don’t think he felt very well.” Frank says. “I don’t know how many loons are out here.” He adds. “Speaking of, I ran into Henry the other day, he was out here scouting for hunting season coming up. He said he got downwind of something smelling pretty bad. He got the hell out of the woods because he thought it was close.”
“Must have been a bear.” Slim says.
Lila replies, “He said he had never smelled anything like it, he’s been around a dozen bears, and dressed a few. He said that this smelled like a skunk in a bear’s butt.” She says laughing.
“Maybe it was.” Slim replies. The three of them laugh.
“Which way are you two headed?” asks them as he picks up the chess piece from the table and places it in the chest pocket of his jacket, then steps out of the trailer, locking it behind him.
“We’re just moving on down the trail.” Frank replies as he three of them start walking past the trailer. “What are your plans for today?” He adds.
“I’m meeting a friend for chess.” Slim says. The three exchange goodbyes, and Slim turns to head into the woods.
The End
615 Words
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