Engine running - flash fiction
Sunday, 09 March 2025
He’s sitting inside his car. Spotty
Must have just passed his test
He’s on his phone. Engine running
Why is his engine running?
Doesn’t he know about pollution? Particulates?
Greenhouse gases? Global warming?
Surely he’ll switch off the engine soon?
Is he going to sit there all day?
Surely he'll get out and go to college soon?
Apparently not
He’s put some music on now
Thump thump thump
He’s bobbing along to it
The engine’s still running
I’ve got to do something
I go out with my mug in my hand
Tap on the window
He looks at me from behind the protective glass
I smile. Point to the mug
He opens the window
“Cup of tea?” I say
He engages first gear and wheel-squeals off
Shouting “Mad old woman!”
This is from a CBtoo creative writing meeting. The prompt was the poem ‘Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House' by New Yorker Billy Collins
Posted:
09/03/2025 14:08:47 by
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