Misunderstaning
And The Insecure Writers' Support Group First Wednesday!
Where do stories come from? I try to answer that question each time I post one of them here on my Weekly Dose of Fiction. The idea for Misunderstanding started while I was waiting for a friend to join me at a movie, and like authors often do, I was watching people and eavesdropping on...overhearing is a better word...conversations. The couple in front of me turned out to be the most interesting. They didn’t say much out loud, but I made a lot of assumptions based on their body language. I could have been wrong, but it doesn’t matter; this is fiction, and it’s 100% from my author’s mind. Tell me what you think, and please comment or repost if you have time.
Image by yousafbhutta from Pixabay
Misunderstanding
They sat in comfy lounge seats, he in a sweatshirt with a local gym logo across the back, she in a slim-fitting light pink turtleneck. They’d chatted briefly, and then focused on the big screen as the credits rolled and the film began.
Him: Six dates, and I’ve already spent a little over six hundred bucks. I should check my credit cards. Make sure I’ve got that right.
Her: I thought we were going out for dinner. If I’d known this was a movie and popcorn night, I would have eaten something more than crackers before he picked me up.
Him: She’s kind of moody all of a sudden. How come she’s gone dark like this? Maybe it’s because food isn’t at the center of the evening. She’s glommed onto the popcorn like she hasn’t eaten in a week. Three handfuls and still she hasn’t passed it.
Her: I should share, I guess, but the least he could do is let me know what to expect when we go out. At first, it was exciting, like he wanted to surprise me. Now...not so much.
Maybe he can’t afford another dinner out. But I offered to pick up the tab last week, and he ignored me. I thought he was being old-fashioned. Kind of cute, really, but now…I think he wanted me to offer again. The way he took so much time going over the bill. Sheesh. It wasn’t that large. I should have offered again. But, hey, I offered to pay for the popcorn. Okay, I’ll try to make that up.
She holds out the bag and turns slightly to face him. “Popcorn?”
“Oh, thanks. Sure.”
Him: About time. I paid for it. Well, she did say it was her treat, but she didn’t sound like she really meant it. If she had, she would have pulled out her card, man. That’s what you do when you’re sincere about paying and not just going through the motions.
Her: This movie’s a dud. High-speed chases through city streets have been done to death.
Him: She’s yawning. How can anyone yawn while watching an action film? Or maybe she’s giving me the signal that I’ll get lucky tonight. That hasn’t happened any other night.
Her: I hate it when he stares at me and thinks I don’t notice. This is the last date. I’d rather watch a sitcom at home. I can barely stay awake. I’ll say something.
“Sorry. I’m just a little tired tonight.”
Him: Yep. She’s sending the signal. I’ll slip my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer, let her know I got the message.
Her: Oh, no. Now, he’s getting cozy. I’m not ready for cozy. I need some sparks, and I’ve got nothing so far. He’s not a bad kisser, but he doesn’t rock my boat either. Last date for sure. I’ll take a restroom break. Splash some water on my face. That should get me through the last of this movie.
“Sorry. Have to go to the ladies. Here, you take charge of the popcorn.”
Him: Why didn’t she go to the restroom before the show? And what popcorn am I taking charge of? There are three unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag. Next time, she can buy her own, and I’ll buy mine. Next time? Maybe not. I’ll let her down easy. I’ll say I’m heading out of town for a couple of weeks and then just not call or text. That should do it. Easy.
And there it ends, or it doesn’t. A small slice of life that leaves us to write our own ending. What’s yours?
And now for…
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The awesome co-hosts for the February 4 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
February 4 question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?
I often think about reading my earlier published books, but I haven’t. Maybe I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed. For sure, I’ll want to tweak something, but why do that? For now, I’m leaving that earlier work where it is and not revisiting it. I’d rather focus on what I’m writing now.
It will be interesting to read what others in the group have said.
Fun to build scenarios about other people that way. As for rereading my earlier works… I’m with you. I avoid it, in part because if I do I KNOW I’ll have to do revisions.
Had me chuckling from the get-go. 🙂