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by Paul Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E · Short Story · Contest Entry · #2208473
Doug has Physical problems and making a joke of it is his solution.
“What’s up, love?”

What do you want for Christmas?

“Hmm. Anything?”

“Here we go again. As long as it’s within reason I’ll consider it.”

“Okay, I want you! We already sleep together so it’s Within Reason”

“Get serious, Doug, I don’t want to go through this again. You’re never serious about anything.”

“Old people sit around and think about what they can no longer do. That’s serious.”

“Well, you’re 75 and you can’t even stand up straight, you qualify.”

“Only if I let myself and I’m not going to. I plan to live to a thousand and I’m 7.5% of the way there.”

“Damn it! See! You’re always making a joke of everything, I can never get a straight answer from you.”

“Gail, sweetheart, love of my life, I must make a joke of it. Half my spine is fused because I was very strong and stupid when I was young and 817 pounds in a dead lift was really dumb! Damage accumulates! Then prostate cancer and the radiation to kill it scarred everything and now I either wear two Nephrostomy tubes or die. It’s either joke about it or cry about it and I don’t want to cry. Gets my beard wet.”

“But, that’s very serious and I worry about you.”

“Sweetheart, I’m terrified by it all, but Harry Potter taught me something; if it’s fearful, make it ridiculous. How can you be afraid of a monster in a pink tutu? Besides, It’s my problem and I caused it so why would I make everyone else suffer?”

“Oh, Doug, I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”

“How about Amazon or Abe Books gift cards? There are some books on writing I’d like.”

“I love you, Doug.”

“You could be the ribbon.”

“You fool... okay... I’ve never been a ribbon before.”
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