Sunday, May 18, 2014

Mr. Chester...A Short Story

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It's time for another short story!

This week's story will include something to so with these two pictures. And I have no idea what I'm going to write. It's like that most of the time, but once I have an idea, the actual writing comes quite easily. So, you should give it a try, too! Here are the rules:

1) Use the two photos in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday night to link up your post.
4) Add your story (Blue Link) at Leanne's, Debb's or Tena's websites.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

And so, here goes nothing!

Mr. Chester

"So, what do you want to do?" I asked my tiny apartment's newest occupant, Mr. Chester.

Mr. Chester said nothing, only looked at me in an indifferent way known only to cats. If I could read the minds of cats, not only would I be rich, but I would know what this animal--an animal in my house only an hour--was thinking. Was he hungry? Was he thinking of various ways of killing me in my sleep? Was he missing Jake?

He was probably missing Jake.

Ah, Jake. Quick--think of a person most unlikely to ever own a cat! Do you have the person in mind? Now, let me ask you, is the "non-cat-owning" person that you're thinking about a Harley Davidson owner covered in tattoos, with a long beard and a shaved head, weighing approximately 250 lbs?

It you're thinking about someone like that, then you're thinking about Jake Hess.

Growing up, Jake and I were inseparable. We played together on little league teams, had the same model BMX bikes, and even had crushes on the same girls. Once we hit high school Jake got into motorcycles and never came back. I liked bikes, too, but not like him. Obsession is too mild a word when describing Jake's love affair with the two-wheeled mode of transportation.

I couldn't believe when he told me he had a cat, like when a beautiful girl tells you she slaughters cows for a living--it just didn't compute. Jake drove semis for a living and after he stopped off at a truck stop in Pittsburgh one cold December evening, the kitten had climbed up in the truck's wheel well to get warm. If he hadn't heard the meowing, the soon-to-be-named Mr. Chester probably would have frozen to death or been crushed as he pulled out.

One look at that freezing, starving kitten and Jake's heart melted. He brought him home, got him his shots, and even built him a home/cat jungle gym any cat would be proud to call their own.

Jake found a job after being unemployed for six months, so Jake asked if I'd adopt Mr. Chester. The new job meant living in the truck hauling coffee up and down the East Coast. Some truckers had animals live with them in their rigs. Cats, however--not the best choice. He just dropped him off an hour ago. Though he'd never admit it, I swear I saw a tear fall from that big man's eye.

Mr. Chester glanced around the room, then again at me. "Nope," I told the black and white (with a little tan thrown in...) tabby. "I don't know what to do, either. I guess we'll just have to wing it."

Word Count: 456

10 comments:

  1. Lovely story showing we mustn't prejudge people on appearances.

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    1. Thanks Sally! You're right about judging...we're usually wrong. :)

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  2. Sometimes the biggest hearts have the roughest exteriors. Very good point! Loved the story.

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    1. Thanks Debb! I guess we really can't know about people, can we? Plus, the cat in the picture is so adorable, I thought it needed a tough guy.

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  3. So sweet! I love this. I bet Mr. Chester does miss Jake--I can't imagine a cat living in a semi. Haha!

    By the way, love this line: "like when a beautiful girl tells you she slaughters cows for a living." Haha! Such a great illustration for the shock you wanted to convey. Nicely done!

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    1. Leanne--I just started a story a friend of mine wrote. It's a story of guys on a road trip and they have a cat with them. I think it gave me inspiration about having a cat in a semi truck--not good. Glad you liked the girls line too. I thought it was funny. Thanks again!

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  4. A very touching story. Well done.

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    1. Thanks Tony! It was fun how it all came together. I wasn't sure what to write at first, but it just came. Thanks again!

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  5. A great story; I loved it! Jake is a good example of why you should never judge a book by it's cover. LOL Jake sounds a bit like my son-in-law. Big boofy bloke with knuckles the size of kneecaps who can pull a motorbike or car apart yet can sew a delicate multi-layered dress for his daughter's concert :-)

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    1. You son-in-law sounds like a fascinating character. But, yes. We do judge people incorrectly sometimes, which is too bad because we don't get the opportunity of learning new things. Thanks for the comments!

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