Each year the SCWC*SD has a writing contest in which all conferees are invited to participate. The rules are simple: Write a piece in any form you wish of no more than 250 words based on the topic announced Friday night. The topic for the 23rd annual San Diego conference was "Rain" or "Reign" Gayle Carline of Placentia, CA is the writer of this year's favorite entry.
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“Wow, Roy, it's really comin' down.”
“Yup.”
The two men stood, noses to the sky, staring at the deluge. A river ran down Roy's ponytail, and Glen's mustache split the water as it coursed down his face. Their t-shirts and jeans were soppy to their skin.
“I heard chickens'll stand in the rain and watch it til they drown,” Glen said.
“Yup.”
“Heh, they sure are stupid.”
“Yup.”
Glen continued to stare at the sky. He coughed a little, slurping at the rainwater on his face.
Roy set his ballcap further down on his brow and watched the water run around his work boots. He wished the tow truck would get here soon. Their car had gone off the road over an hour ago. He glanced at his buddy, who was still looking up at the night sky, as if he was searching for the source of the water.
Glen coughed again. “Roy?”
“Yea?”
“I don't feel so good.” He gurgled and wheezed. “Stupid chickens,” he said as he fell into the mud.
The coroner shook his head as he loaded Glen's body into his van. “Looks like he drowned. Did he pass out in a puddle or something?”
“Nope,” Roy said. “He was always a big chicken.”
| Copyright 2009, Gayle Carline. Used with permission. |
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