Two headed horse tails
Unlawful Trade
What mothers do …
Renetta slowly approaches the gallery, ensuring it’s not crowded. She’s been told not to come in and bother customers.
“A mother comes all this way,” she scoffs. “Then I’m the nuisance.”
The hand-lettered signs sways in the breeze.
“Well Hung”
Ugh, that name. Everything’s about sex in this town.
“Thinking of me, Hun? I saw you looking at the sign.”
Renetta turns around, faster than a ferret. “Go away, Powell. I’m busy.”
That’s not a good sign; Powell shouldn’t be here. But she can’t turn back; she needs the money.
“Sure, Hun. See you in there. Take your time.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Renetta pulls the door open between them.
She can’t help but catch the familiar scent of him, Old Spice and cheap tequila. She hoped last week’s Senior Strip Pinochle was the last of him. But, like that rash behind her knee, he just wouldn’t go away.
It’s like when they used to work at the nursing home. Powell would always arrange to get the same shift as hers. But he would never help her clean the shit of course. Not Mister Powell, so proud and so full of himself.
“Tonight’s gonna be different, Powell,” she murmurs.
“Ma!” her daughter shouts. “Come in or stay there with your boyfriend. Just stop letting the hot air out!”
“The hot air’s staying put,” she says, yanking the door shut.
Powell taps the glass and blows a kiss.
“That weasel’s as much my boyfriend as you’re the goddamned Queen mother.”
“Exactly, Ma! As the Queen mother, I’m ordering you to take Powell as your boyfriend.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Powell agreed to invest in the gallery, Ma. Without his money, I can’t keep the business. I need your help.”
As Renetta agrees, she turns towards the glass. Powell’s smile is hideous.
This story was co-written by Bob Merckel (El Ramblo) and Smillew (top writer in satire).
It was our 1st tale! YAY! Thank you for the fun ride, Bob. :D
The Two Headed Horse Tails concept was co-created with Fox Kerry.
As Fox (poet and digital art expert) describes it, Two Headed Horse Tails can be a tug of war. Two people (one of them could be YOU) are trying to get a tale into the corral, sometimes even against each other’s will.
Here are the rules (follow them or break them):
- 300 words total.
- Someone starts and writes 50 words. Then the other takes the lead and writes 50 more. Till the 300 count is reached.
- You can switch back and forth as to who starts the piece. (or not! We do.)
What about finding yourself another horse writer and giving it a try?
Follows us on Twitter! Except for Fox, he’s not on Twitter. But Bob is!
Tell us a tiny tale, filled with heart.
