Flash Fiction – Dinner Party

Thud

Thud

Anxiety builds. Sweat drips down his face as Michael tries to act natural as he eats. Jazz music plays sweetly throughout the room. Nancy keeps looking at Michael as if he is nervous to be meeting her parents for the first time.

Thud

Thud

Nancy’s father tries to make small talk and use one of his infamous dad jokes to cut the tension. Michael did his best to chuckle but it came out as a cackle.

Thud

Thud

Nancy’s mother gave Nancy a comforting look from across the table to let her know that she understands how hard it must be for Michael. Nancy smiled at her mother and then turned to Michael with the same smile.

Thud

Thud

At the end of their meal, Nancy’s mother mentioned how much she liked Michael’s house. Michael’s looked up from his plate and finally smiled. Before he could say anything, Nancy told her mother that it was Michael’s mother’s home and she had moved to a nursing home recently. Michael looked back down at his plate.

Thud

Thud

As Nancy and her parent’s were leaving, Nancy’s mother asked Michael to send her well wishes to his mother. He looked down.

Thud

Thud

Michael lifted his head and told her that he would. And with that, Nancy and her parent’s left Michael’s house.

Thud

Thud

Michael opens the basement door.

Silence with a stench of death.

“Mother…Nancy’s mother wishes you will.” Michael says with a laugh then closes the door.