Suquamish, WA - 14 Jun 2025
Saturday Morning
Hate
Necklace
Fox
No, this isn't some mad attempt at poetry. I am a terrible poet and would not even begin to know how to go about such a thing. This is actually a three word writing prompt that I got from writingexercises.co.uk - a place I go when my head is empty. The idea is to take these words and spin a yarn with them. I tried this once before many years ago and the words set up an interesting picture in my head that I subsequently rendered to a typewritten page. Since I have been struggling - rather, arguing with my inner critic - writing has been a challenge. A friend suggested a word bowl. Pick two words and write something based on them. Good advice so off to the website I went to get some words.
What to do…?
***
Have you seen my necklace?
No. Why?
It was right here. I always put my jewelry in this little dish before I go to bed. My necklace is gone. Did you take it?
No, of course not. Why would I?
I don't know. It's just that things have been going missing lately and I can't for the life of me figure out why. At first I thought I was just being absent minded, but I don't think so. Too many things have disappeared or turned up in strange locations. So, either I have gone nuts or they are being taken by someone. It's just you and me here in the house so I...
Are you accusing me of taking your things... moving them around? What kind of remark is that?
I never accused you of taking anything, and what kind of remark is that anyway?
Yes you did. You just asked me if I took your necklace. What is that supposed to mean?
Oh, for crying out loud John, I just wanted to know if you took it. I didn't accuse you of anything. Why are you being so defensive?
I'm not being defensive. See? You are accusing me of things.
Really? ...
Look, if you are going to be that way, I'm going out. Call me when you come to your senses.
Okay, that's better. Glad to have him out the door. Now where can that necklace be? I've searched the bedroom and it's nowhere. Maybe it fell off in the shower. Not there... The sink? Nope - not there either. There's a draft...
The kitchen window is open. Damn that John! Now he's leaving windows open. He's been acting strange lately.
Nothing in his coat pocket? I need a walk.
Nice day out here, cool breeze... sunny. Birds singing, I love the morning bird calls. Hello Mr Squirrel, pardon me while I talk to myself. I'm not crazy, no danger here... A fox? Where did you come from? No, don't run off... I'm just clearing my head.
Oof! Damned foxhole. Must be the den... better get out of here before Lady Fox comes after me. What's this? My necklace! So that's what happened. Why does my chest hurt?
Mary? Mary! What's this? Blood?
Yes, this is John Monroe. I live at 2137 Onyx Road. I just came home and found my wife Mary in the yard covered in blood. Yes, she's breathing, but she’s real woozy and she has a stick poking through her stomach. Hurry ... I'm scared...
Where is that ambulance. Why did we have to come out here in the country to live... Oh, it's all my fault, I've been such a jerk lately. Mary, I'm sorry... where's that ambulance...?
Who's there? Stupid fox. What's this? Mary's necklace...
I'm sorry Mr Monroe. There is nothing we can do. It seems your wife?... has lost a lot of blood. She's gone. We're so sorry for your loss. Would you like to join us to the hospital?
***
Well. That was interesting. This is what happens when you let your mind wander. That's a strange tale and I have no idea how it got in my head. I hope you enjoyed my brief period of insanity.
Keep on truckin'
-Mike
My words, mistakes and all.