Six Sentence Stories – Standard Drill
“Standard drill, Maggie. Please.”
She took her usual seat at the diner counter as she ordered and sat staring, unseeing, at yesterday’s newspaper; the regulars knew better than to try and engage her in conversation and anyone unfamiliar with this routine would be quickly convinced to move along by her distinct antisocial air.
The old man at the end of the counter tossed a nod in Maggie’s direction and asked, “What’s standard drill?”
“You mean her?” Maggie said as she jerked her head in the woman’s direction and started assembling a sandwich. “Standard drill is a BLT, extra bacon, hold the lettuce, add avocado and a little mayo with a Diet Coke while she sits here pretending to read the paper so folks will just let her be in the company of others and not feel so alone for awhile ’cause she’s got nobody left – family’s all dead or gone, friends have all died off or don’t stay in touch – just her and that stupid cat to keep her company and thank God she at least has him because it’s just too damn sad to be old with all that life behind you and nobody left to share all the wisdom and memories with.”
“That is just too damn sad, Maggie, so I’ll have what she’s having,” he said as he picked up his coffee and moved a few seats down the counter.
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This has been a Six Sentence Story.
Each week, the lovely Ivy Walker hosts a link-up challenging writers to spin a tale in six sentences – no more, no less. Click on the link right here to find out more and link your own post. While you’re there, click on the blue frog button to find more stories from some wonderful storytellers.
This week’s prompt was STANDARD.
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14 Comments
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damn painted picture is all you’ve achieved here! and an emotionally engaging one at that!
(fun read, instructive sample…thanks!)
I thank you, Clark.
Aw! I love this. And damn, that sandwich sounds good!
That is actually my favorite sandwich.
Perfect!
Thank you, Liv.
This is FANTASTIC! I love this… Makes me smile!!!
Heh – yeah, no burning flesh this week. 😀 Or maybe there is…
Very, very cool! I want to live in a town like this where people remember how to care for each other, and so often it’s done with out need of a single word.
Yep, just a cup of coffee and a sandwich! I like to think those two will end up good friends.
This is a punch in the gut hard story to read … right on and somehow feels a little like Christmas … somewhere. I too think those two will strike up a friendship … karma.
Oh, hi, Bastet! Yes, there is that little bit of sadness. And I think there are too many Christmases like this for too many people. No more for these two!
🙂 I do so love happy endings!
🙂