Goodbye Grandpa

I give to you a true story in eleventy-one words...

After bologna sandwiches, I’d retrieve the cribbage board, a not so subtle hint to my grandfather. We’d start in silence. A couple hands. Until the conversation began.

One day, I asked where he learned cribbage.

In the Pacific; on the carrier USS Antietam. A catapult operator; he helped launch the aircraft. He’d never seen action; they’d arrived too late. Traveled to Guam, Okinawa, Shanghai; on ‘occupation support duty.’ His captain was Japanese American; they’d have been in Tokyo Harbor for V-J Day were it not for a malfunction. There were no clouds at sea; just blue sea and sky.

He was my last personal link to the Greatest Generation.

Goodbye Grandpa.

New Beginnings

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

This pill is the ultimate cure.

What does it do?

Whatever you wish.

I came to you for help with my addiction.

This pill cures addiction.

That’s ridiculous.

I was a skeptic until I tried it.

And?

I got what I wanted.

Is your life better?

Define better.

(Adam pauses.)

Do you not want the pill?

I’m curious.

You can stop being a drunk.

That’s hard to believe.

Try it. (He hands Adam the pill.)

(Adam contemplates.) Any wish?

Any wish.

(He swallows the pill and quickly loses consciousness.)

Define better…

(He wakes in a glade of dewy grass. Naked he reclines beside a woman. They are unaware of their nakedness.)

Home

I give to you a dialogue in eleventy-one words...

Home is where the heart is.

Where is your heart?

Not sure. I need to find it.

Don’t you always tell me that if you don’t know where you’re going, you should stay where you are?

Do as I say, not as I do.

Hypocrisy?

No… Maybe… I guess so. But with good intention.

The road to hell.

To heaven.

That’s not how the saying goes.

The saying is wrong.

How do you know?

I’ve seen it, lived it.

Arrogance?

Experience.

Go, then.

I will, and it will hurt.

Why go, then?

Because it doesn’t hurt yet.

That’s absurd.

I’m leaving to find something.

What do you think you’ll find?

Home.

Scam

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

He answered his cell.

‘Mr. Pritchett?’

‘Yes?’

‘The IRS is bringing a case against you because you attempted to defraud the government.’

‘Nice try, buddy.’

‘This isn’t a scam. There are officers outside your building who will take you into custody unless you do what I say.’

‘Right. Ciao.’

‘Shit. Get out, Gerald!’ the gentleman yelled.

‘What?! Hello!’ The phone went dead. He hadn’t been called Gerald since youth. Something felt wrong. He grabbed his bag and walked to the back door.

He was about to exit when he heard, ‘Tommy!’ He turned to see a man pointing a pistol at him. He ducked in time to miss the first bullet.

Sacrifice

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

She grabbed him, slapped him. He stood, watching her.

‘You let our son die.’

There had been no other way, not if he wanted to remain the leader of the rebel faction.

‘You’re causing a scene,’ he spoke calmly.  ‘Let’s go home.’

‘I have no home, no comfort, no joy. Because of you!’

He moved closer and whispered, ‘It’s bigger than him, bigger than us. You know that.’

‘Maybe I don’t,’ she mumbled.

‘Please understand what you’re saying.’

She stared into his eyes, ‘I know exactly what I’m saying.’

He bowed his head; the argument was over.

‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’

They hugged.

And he snapped her neck.

Showdown

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

The showdown had come.

He dismounted, left his horse, and rambled down the street. The town’s inhabitants cautiously followed, watching him intently. Not a word came from their respective mouths. Only the scuff of his boots could be heard.

He paused in front of the saloon and yelled, ‘Where is he?’ The tension was palpable, the silence a heavy fog.

‘Where is he?’ he shouted again.

A boy stepped forward and pointed. He clutched his belt and turned, thinking that his enemy was behind him. Instead, he saw an old woman pointing as well. One by one, the entire town pointed, showing him his adversary.

He pulled his gun and fired. 

New York City

I give to you a letter to NYC in eleventy-one words...

Howdy New York,

I’ll soon be departing but wanted to wax poetic about what I’ll miss most about you.

I’ll miss the twenty minute walk to work and my daily disbelief that I worked at World Trade Center. I’ll miss hearing ‘Tequila!’ from across the bar. I’ll miss walks to Whole Foods Bowery just before it closed. I’ll miss the Saturday ritual of Gotham and Gym Bar. I’ll miss that slice at Joe’s at three in the morning.

Most of all, I’ll miss all the wonderful people that you and the universe conspired to put in my life these past four years. I am a better man because of you.

Ciao