The Bawdy Bowler

We had just left the bowling alley when a distraction by my friend allowed me to slip away from him.

Before he could stop me, I was already down the alley and rounding the corner.

A strong breeze at my back—a breath of tantalizing freedom.

Twice I was able to evade… staying just beyond the man’s grasp.

My friend, skirting across the tightly compacted rooftops, toppled piles and clattered debris in my wake. Reaching down, they caught me—but had not the strength to extract me. Even so, without the help, I’d have been caught for certain.

With one final burst, I flung myself against a fence… but the man caught up—struck me twice with his open hand.

He grabbed me with both hands, and—in slow, almost cinematic motion—he thrust his head toward me.

As his forehead closed in, I contemplated my fate.

For one brief, glorious moment, before being thrust back onto his head, I was free, thanks to my friend—the wind.

Similar Posts

  • The Art of Teaching

    Dressed in leather and gilded in gold bling, the teacher sat on the edge of the desk. Not the usual uptight teacher, her intricate tattoos proudly illustrated a deep, reverent understanding of the importance of knowledge. The concepts presented were of a depth that few could succinctly follow, let alone completely comprehend. Running up her…

  • Infiltration

    We landed heavily throughout the city… most of us landed on the ground and slipped into hiding immediately. I was one of the unlucky ones… I hit the roof, and without a purchase to stop me, bounced off of the edge of the highest level to the next, sliding uncontrollably toward the edge—over which was…

  • Perfect Subject

    Reviewing the painting, I smiled. “No,” Timmy said, looking me square in the eyes. “I would rather you didn’t.” “You seem to be my perfect subject, though.” “Yes, and your first painting came out perfect, did it not?” “I suppose it did.” Timmy reached up and poked at his cheeks and twisted his fingers, exaggerating…

  • Unique Little Egg

    The intricacies… independent and unique. He sent the order in this morning. The letter next to her only specified: “Something intellectual and creative.” He often let her have the reins with the eggs, long ago realizing she was more than capable. She sighs, but a smile spreads across her face. She loves this… sort of…

  • Layer by Layer

    The canvas set.Every stroke vivid.Every line drawn, nuanced.Painting with deep, resonant colors.The tones shift, the lighting rewrought.Building in layers upon layers, each subject meticulously captured.Standing back, we look again before changing direction.Every subtlety intentional.The canvas complete, the critics arise. In painted prose—a novel.

  • Outside the Lighthouse

    Out across the sea, the beam of light sweeps, searching… guiding… waiting for someone to see. The rain pelts the windows, hammering in sheets and droves. The storm rages. His coffee… different… a slight hint of salt and iron. He had emptied the last of his bottled water yesterday, so he was using water from…