Twists of Fate (1st Place)

Chad approached the door to the psychiatrist’s office, and paused. Do I really need to do this? After all, what did I do wrong? He pushed open the door, and saw the doctor seated, looking out a great bay window. His back turned toward Chad.

“Enter and have a seat, Chad,” Dr. Dryden stated.

“How did you know it was me?”

“I have my methods.”

Chad sat in the left chair, and attempted to look relaxed.

“Why did you choose the left chair?”

“Uhhh… How did… Well, I don’t really … I guess I never thought.” Chad’s brow crinkled. “Why does that matter?”

“I just wanted to see how comfortable you were. You are nervous. Just relax and answer my questions. Remove your jacket.”

Chad slid off the jacket and laid it on the chair next to him. A long awkward silence filled the room. Dr. Dryden held up a coin between his fingers. He flipped it in the air and caught it in his palm.

“Fate is a funny thing. This coin could decide a quandary, or it could buy a pack of gum from a vending machine. What do you think of chance?”

“I guess I’ve always believed that I make my own luck.”

“That’s exactly what powerful men think. You see I will call tails.” Dr. Dryden opened his hand and the coin’s face revealed tails. “Powerful men already know the answers to fate. That’s why they are powerful. So, what you witnessed this morning should be kept quiet. Do you understand?”

“You mean the trades on the computer?”

“Are you sure you saw them, Chad? I’d hate for this coin to come up on the wrong side."

Chad’s Adam’s apple bobbed on his throat. “What trades, Doctor?”

"I'm glad we had this chat. You may go."


300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Coin, Jacket, Enter