PUN-ishment

PUN-ishment

Tom rolled over in irritation. He'd been having an enjoyable dream but now he could hear Oliver, his Beagle, barking incessantly.

Peering through bleary eyes, a red "6:42" stared back at him.

"Oliver!" he yelled but the barking continued. Dragging himself out of bed, he tottered to the kitchen. Oliver was jumping at the basement door.

"What's going on, boy?" he asked. Oliver barked. "Sorry, boy, I don't speak rough." Tom smiled at his pun but Oliver, unimpressed, turned back to the door.

Opening the door, Tom watched Oliver scrabble down the stairs. Splash, splash echoed back.

"What..." Tom's startled response was cut short as Oliver returned, dripping wet. Tom hurried down the stairs to find his basement flooded.

Moments later, Tom was on the phone. "Morning, George," he said. "Yes, I know the time but this is an emergency. You're a plumber and my basement's underwater. Could you come over?" Hearing an assent, he hung up.

George arrived carrying a toolbox. "Have you shut off the main yet?" he asked.

"I remember the Maine," Tom retorted, thinking of sinking basement.

Ignoring the weak humor, George said, "Never mind, it's probably downstairs."

George disappeared down the stairs and returned after a few minutes. "Were you able to fix it?" asked Tom.

"Nope," was the terse answer. "With all the rain we've had, I'd guess the water level has risen. You've an underground flow that broke through your foundation. The water's almost table high," said George.

"Would that would make it a pool table?" quipped Tom. George groaned.

"Look at the bright side," said George.

"What's that?"

"Well, you've been telling me how you needed to straighten up your basement. This gives you a perfect opportunity."

"You're right!" said Tom, with a wicked grin. "I guess this could be considered spring cleaning."

Even Oliver winced at that one.


Notes

Word Count: 300 exactly.

An entry for April 20 "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  [13+]
Prompt: Write a story about spring cleaning.

Thank you for taking time to read my words. I would appreciate it if you took a moment and left a comment. Your reaction, impressions, criticisms, - yes, even praise are all equally welcome.

Ken