Hold Still | #3 of 7 (361 words)

[backdrifter]

The assignment: To write a quick story using only dialogue. This time I put aside the paranoia and general disorder that I tend to favor in my writing, and went for something lighter, but still close to my heart.


"I can't feel my toes anymore."

"Don't worry, they'll come back. Everyone says that at first."

"I'm serious, I can't feel my toes. They're not even tingling."

"Just relax, Robin."

"Jamie!"

"Shh. Relax. See what you think of this."

"You were supposed to call me."

"Well, I forgot. I forget a lot of things. And it turned out fine, didn't it? I mean, what were you doing? Sitting on ass in your apartment watching Maury Povich exploit fat babies. For Chrissakes, Robin, you can do better than that on a Wednesday off from work."

"You enjoy belittling my way of life, don't you?"

"Only on Mondays."

"This is bullshit, Jamie, I don't know why I even agreed to this."

"Shhhhhh!"

"This is stupid, I—oh. Oh, wow. Okay. No, I see now—wow."

"You see?"

"Yeah, no, I do see! Ahaha, wow, Jamie, I..."

"No need to apologize. It's nice, right?"

"I take back what I said. I'm so glad you dragged me out here today."

"I knew you'd say something like that. Shift your feet a little bit, you'll start to feel pins and needles."

"I gotcha. Oooh, agh. I hate pins and needles. But I love this."

"Now just... oh, no, you got it. Good, good. You're getting into this!"

"Yeah, I can't really help it! This really worked out."

"Well, I'm glad, because honestly, Robin, I could not stand one more day of looking at you in those ugly sweats and ratty sneakers. Very bad news."

"Ugh!"

"Listen, don't be mad at me because I'm expressing what you know to be the truth. You look good in heels and a damn dress—"

"Hey, whoa, what are you adjusting there!"

"—And I knew your color palette the day I first slapped eyes on you. I have a lot to teach you."

"I couldn't wear heels every day, Jamie."

"But you can't wear those horrible sneakers anymore, either. I'm going to burn them and that's the end of it."

"But I—!"

"And you look good. Admit it."

"Yeah, I do. You're right."

"Well good. Now let's get out of here, I still want to do something with makeup and you."