Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

“My dog has fleas.”

Karl is a bit ‘cloudy’ in the head, so I always give him some leeway...usually. Today, I am not in the mood. Rent’s gone up—again—and I have pain in my testicles, to name a few things that are bothering me.

“What in the hell’s that supposed to mean, Karl?”

“My dad used to say that when he tuned his uke.”

“Checkers got somethin’ to do with a ukulele?” I am about to win and I think he is trying to distract me.

Karl knows I have a bit of a concentration problem and he pushes my buttons when it suits him, like now...or he used to anyway.

“It just popped into my head, is all.”

I reposition my testicles on the stone bench. “Can we just finish this game? I’m freezing my ass off!” I pull up my coat collar.

“Sure, sure.” His gnarled fingers push the black checker into harm’s way.

I jump him. And jump him. And jump him, again.

“I think he left me his uke.”

“You just gave the game away.” I hate to win when it feels like cheating, but I’ll take it.

“I’ll have to look for it when I get home.”

Karl’s home consists of one sleeping room and a closet...just like mine.

“Maybe your kids have it stored away,” I lie.

I’m sure they either sold the uke (if it was worth something) or gave it to Goodwill (if it wasn’t) after they carted him out of his house and into Fairview Care Center.

“Now that could be.”

The driver motions our way; I gather up the checkers and board. “Time to go, Karl.”

“My dog has fleas.”

I help button his coat and guide him toward the van.