I belong, as a contributing member, to a talented group of writers who are responsible for A Muse Bouche Review, a literary newsletter. It gives me a chance to write something new each month around a given theme, which I’m enjoying. The theme for August, 2024 is Closed Doors and my contribution this month is a short story titled Whatcha Doin’, Daddy?. Here’s how it starts:
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“Daddy? Whatcha doin’, Daddy? Can I come in? Please?” A small, hesitant voice on the verge of tears.
“Jeremy, please open this door. We need to talk about what happened, what you did. Stop hiding.”
Jeremy shakes his head, whispers, “No, no, no,” to himself. He holds his head in his hands, stares down at his desk with blurry, unfocused eyes. On the desk are a half empty bottle of Angel’s Envy bourbon; a rock glass filled with bourbon and ice, condensing water dripping down the sides; a photo of his wife, Maria, and son, Kyle, that he took two years ago during a visit to the shore, in a Dollar Store frame; and a Ruger Blackhawk 9mm revolver.
He picks up the glass and drinks deeply. The bourbon slides down his throat like creamy vanilla fire while the fumes swirl into his nostrils. He sways dizzily. When he sets his glass down in a different place, he notices the wet ring it has left. Jeremy imagines that it is a mirror through which he can see himself as his wife sees him, but the prospect is distasteful, so he wipes it away with the side of his hand.
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To read the entire story, and all the other pieces from this talented crew, check out the August A Muse Bouche Review, available here:
Dave Writes and Draws 