Murphy's Present (1st Place)

John slung himself off the back of the garbage truck, grabbed a couple of trash cans and emptied their contents into the back. One of the bags busted and the putrid odor of rotten eggs burst forth. Oh, I hate that smell even after six years. He tossed the cans to the curb.

He double tapped the side of the truck. Murphy revved the engine and the truck lurched forward, coming to a halt next to another set of trash cans. Over and over. Man, this job gets old.

He approached the cans and realized they stood right in front of Murphy's house. His trash cans (both of them shiny and new) sat in a handmade rolling cart. John effortlessly rolled the whole cart to the back of the truck, but when he lifted the first his hand slipped and the bag splayed upon the ground and broke open. Great.

John stood and looked at the mess for a moment. Absentmindedly, he began the process of tossing the singular items into the back of the truck. He stopped cold as he looked at what he held in his hand. John grinned. He glanced toward the house where Jennifer, Murph's wife, emerged and waved to them. John waved back.

He tossed the other items in the back but stuck the object in his shirt pocket. He sidled up the street side of the truck and knocked. Murph rolled down the window.

"Happy Birthday, old man. 47 Years old. Almost forgot."

"Thanks."

"Saw Jenn up on the porch."

"Yep. I saw."

"I'm thinking this birthday will be quite special. Wait until you see your present."

"Huh?"

"Give me your hand."

John placed the positive pregnancy test into his palm. He turned and laughed all the way back.


299 Words
Must contain the line: "Wait until you see your present"
Flash Fiction Entry