In the Weeds

She heard the creak of the mess hall door over the sound of the automatic dishwasher. She coasted down the rail to where the knives were coming out of the washer. She could now smell him. Sweat, dust, Axe. She resisted the urge to vomit. Being near the end of her third trimester, her smelling was acute. She heard him approach on whisper soft steps.

Grabbing the first sharp knife she could lay her hands on, Mindy spun around, “Don’t come any closer!”

“Whoa, take it easy!”

Mindy threw the knife back in the plastic rack. “You fool! You could have gotten hurt sneaking up on a body like that!”

“Sorry.”

“Why are you here, Tony?”

“Came to ask you to take me back.” Tony dragged a finger up the back of Mindy’s arm. When she did not resist, he moved in closer. “You should not be working this hard.”

“Gramps always says: A little hard work grows strong roots. No work grows weeds.”

“Yeah, yeah. Forget him. I don’t know what I said or did, but I’m sorry. Really sorry.”

Mindy liked the way his hand stroked her bare arm and the soft intonations as he spoke. It made it incredibly hard to stay mad at him. “You said you didn’t want kids.”

“I meant not right away. All I know is I don’t want another man raising my child. Come home.”

Mindy let him kiss her forehead and hold her tight. “You’re cheating. Making me all fuzzy headed.”

“I’m begging.” Tony stepped back, took her hand and pulled her towards the door. “They can get anybody to do this job. I need you more than they do. Come home.”

“I hate it when you win.”

Tony chuckled softly. “I’ll let you win the rest. I need this win.”



[word count: 300]

[End Note: Winner: July 12, 2015 Daily Flash Fiction. Prompt: Don't come any closer.]

"Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"