I Think We’re Alone Now (Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge)
The Carrot Ranch Literary Community, hosted by Charli Mills, is HERE.
January 25, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that goes to the edge. Consider what the edge might be and how it informs the story. Go where the prompt leads.
I Think We’re Alone Now
In retrospect Johnny realized that sliding a 45 into Millie Redner’s locker was dumb. The record, a Tommy James single, was fine, but not including a note: dumb. Johnny told himself that anyone thinking about running and tumbling with Millie would have likely made the same mistake.
So here he is, three weeks later. A Thursday night; Bewitched’s theme playing from the TV in the den, Lisa’s number on a slip of paper on the kitchen counter. Johnny squeezes the telephone receiver in his left hand and watches his right hand shake as reaches up to make the call.
###
Rereading this I wondered how many people would think Johnny slid a gun into Lisa’s locker. Sadly, even though I knew what I meant and what Johnnny was doing, that was the foremost thought in my mind. That’s sad. For anyone who doesn’t know, a 45 was a small vinyl record that held two songs, the ‘hit’ on side A and another, usually less well-known song, on side B. Back in those days I had hundreds of 45s but when cassettes gained popularity I started getting rid of them and by the time my CD collection was growing my 45s and albums were all gone. Part of me misses them but I miss the album art and album sleeves and the 45 sleeve art the most. I know vinyl albums are making a comeback now but I have no idea about 45s. So, if you were thinking Johnny gave Lisa a gun, he didn’t. He gave her a 45 rpm record to try – in some half-assed and awkward way – to let her know he liked her.
Michael B. Fishman
Michaelsfishbowl 
Ha… us old fogies know you meant record. Though the clarification in the second sentence helped too. One just doesn’t know these days with all the issues at schools both public and private in the current news events.
Our needle went bad. Our turntable has been in a ‘shop’ for repair for over a year. My hubby is thinking about getting me a new one – turntable. While I don’t have walls of vinyl, I have some 45’s, albums and even some 78’s (though those are hubby’s) – Cassettes and 8 tracks have all but disappeared. Nothing to even play them on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I only knew a version from yer wan Tiffany, from when I was a teenager, so that was a revelation. Love both of those versions.
Another great story. I assumed it was vinyl, but then coming from the UK/Ireland we don’t have many guns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tommy James & the Shondells, yes. The Killers? Eh…not so much. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It took me a minute, but I figured out what you meant by 45. I miss records and all the cover art too. I loved my 45’s…Nice take on the cue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole piece (not to be confused with a piece) had an old school feel, and so your 45 was correctly interpreted and was clarified by the next sentence. I even saw a curly cord on that humungous wall sculpture you call a phone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it probably depends on your age and your interest. I wouldn’t have thought of a gun because they are not in my normal thoughts whereas music is and I remember 45s. The next line clarifies it for those possibly confused. Nice writing of an edge we all went through at one point in our lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t the title give it away? 🙂 Cute story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve come to look forward to the musical elements of your post and story, Michael. At first, I thought of a .45 mm bullet but caught on with the next line. And what a blast from the past — I had a minor collection of 45s because my parents were early 8-track adopters and belonged to a club from which they could order 8-tracks through the mail. I could only buy 45s when we drove to Carson City and went to KMart. I enjoyed the sweet awkwardness of the character. He’s brave!
LikeLike