Norman held the jar in front of the window. The brown granules shifted as the man tilted and turned the glass container, squinting as if the sunlight were piercing his eyes instead of the half empty coffee jar. He then pressed his thumb against the side and noted a point just beneath the tip of his nail.
‘I knew it. Two spoons missing.’
He glanced at his wife Tessy, who sat at the kitchen table with her eyes creased shut and her palms face down on the grainy wooden surface. She was muttering something that wasn’t audible. Norman thought she might be praying.
Giving her the benefit of doubt, Norman cleared his throat and spoke again.
‘I said two spoons missing.’
Though his voice was louder this time, Tessy didn’t bother to listen, and her lips continued to move swiftly, her eyes squeezed shut even tighter. Norman was desperate to get his wife’s attention, so he set the coffee jar down hard inches away from her. The loud thud made Tessy open her eyes and stop her feverish mumbling.
The first thing she said made Norman turn red in the face.
‘Norman, why you such a pain?’
The look in her dark brown eyes matched the disgust in her voice. And when her hand moved, Norman knew nothing good would come of it. Tessy picked up the coffee jar and flung it out the open window. She then got up to do the dishes rattling off her husband’s annoying characteristics.
‘You the biggest miser I ever seen. If you wanna act like you poor and stupid, then leave me out of it. Who donates their clothes to the needy and goes back asking for a return? You do, Norman. You sure your brain ain’t leaking into your ankles? The lord has given me peace, joy, and comfort. Did I drink more coffee than I was supposed to? Two spoons missing? Now the whole damn jar is gone. What you gonna do?’
When Norman didn’t answer, Tessy turned to find herself alone. She looked out the kitchen window. Norman sat near the broken jar sifting coffee from the broken glass. He was brushing the coffee with his palm into a dustpan. Tessy shouted out to her husband.
‘You’ll get those two spoons back with all that grime and dirt. Way to go, Norman! I always knew you were a cheap idiot!’
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At first i thoughits ‘The Spoons ‘ which are missing only to get surprised and realise its the two Spoons of coffee missing, how do you concoct such characters? loved reading this one 👍👍
Thank you so much, Deepak. When I write, I hand over the reins to the craziness inside. It’s a mutual understanding. Haha! 🙂
Hahaha, that’s so funny. There’s so much everyday fun in this that I can’t help laughing. I know a couple who enjoy torturing each other so much that other couples are afraid of inviting them for Christmas party.
Lol! I can picture that couple and the mayhem they must create and leave behind. I guess it only takes two to tango and some can never stop. Thanks Haoyan. 🙂
Love your stories, Terveen. Always leaves me awed especially because they pack in so much, in just a few lines. One more unforgettable story. Ps.
I’ve seen a couple of misers like Norman.
Thank you so much, Diti. I really appreciate it. Misers can be a tough lot to tolerate. They live to save from here and there. I wonder whether it really pays in the long run. I doubt it though. 🙂
Believe me, they actually end up spending more! 😊
Haha! I like the sound of that statement. 🙂
Terveen – you sure do come up with some entertaining, crazy characters!
<3
David
Thanks so much, David! Haha! Crazy is my other name. Yay! 🙂
Hahaha. Awesome write, Terveen. That’s what happens when we don’t let go…have a fantastic weekend, my friend. ☺️
Haha! Exactly Jeff. Holding on with both hands and all teeth. Some never realize that they’ll have to eventually let go some day… 🙂
Ha! Agreed…😊
a quiet beginning to a noisy, rattling yarn 🙂
Thanks a lot, John. Where there’s a miser, there will be glass shattering. Haha. 🙂
Made me smile, Terveen. Loved the story my dear friend.
Thank you so much, Shobana. I really appreciate it. Be well. 🙂
She was praying to the Coffee Fairy to quickly replenish the two spoons saving a hell of a lot of pain. Don’t you have CF in India?
BTW Two bangles were missing on the wrist. Thought you’d like to know……
Haha! I like that, Don. And the bangles may have slipped off the wrist with that flying coffee jar. Oops! 🙂
Quite possible, quite possible. Could’ve been more than two now I think of it…….
😀
Loved this story. Won’t come as a surprise, that I don’t sympathize with Norman… So much said about the state of a marriage in very few words about two spoons of coffee missing. Great character study. Your stories always surprise me, Terveen. And I like it!
Thank you so much, Britta. There’s a lot missing in this marriage – two spoons of coffee are the least of their problems. Haha! Most ‘Normans’ won’t know the difference though. 🙂
Coffee will have that effect on people 🙂
I think that is the perfect statement. Haha. Thank you. 🙂
I am squirming a little as I recognize a little too much of the characters. Although I would never begrudge my wife as much coffee as she wanted, we do have a bickering routine for many little things!. Great writing.
Haha! Thanks so much, Geoff. There’s always some bickering over things that could easily go without it. Ahh! Married life. 🙂
You have such an incredible imagination, Terveen. I know I’ll always be entertained by your writing.
This story is like a pot set on the stove – only to bubble at the very end.
Wishing you a very happy writing time further ahead. Season’s Blessings and peace and goodwill to you and your family. 🙂
Thank you so much, Patricia. I greatly appreciate your kind words and warm wishes. To many more stories and many more adventures. Stay blessed. 🙂
There’s an old adage, “You can’t fix stupid but you can sedate it with decaf.”
In my eyes, Norman isn’t the real issue here, it’s Tessy, because she remains in the penny-pinching-mercurial-caffeinated-abused relationship.
They make coffee to go, love. Grab a cuppa and sling your hook.
Haha! I think Tessy needs to hear your words loud and clear. Maybe she’s just waiting for Norman to blink and miss the coffee bus to ‘I don’t need you anymore’ street.
Your comments are THE BEST! 🙂
She finally had enough!
I think every day must be – finally enough – but still the drama continues. Life can be weird. Thank you, Cassa. 🙂
If it had been the only stock of coffee I had, I probably would have acted like Norman too! 😁 To find such a fleshed-out character in flash fiction! Wow! Terveen, the plots of your short fiction are always so brilliant, and the execution immaculate! 👏👏
Haha! Coffee can be a precious commodity. Thanks so much, Aaysid. I really appreciate it. I should thank Norman too for being the miser he is. There would be no story without him. 🙂
My pleasure😊
love it. i think i could spin a poem from this… lol
Thanks so much, Joseph! I think you should. Haha!
Great story Terveen.. now I know where mine are going but there are at least 8 missing.. ugh 🤣 true story!💖
Haha! Now where could they be? Thanks so much, Cindy. I really appreciate it. 🙂