Hot Space

Nick began work in his garden. He loved mornings like this. So quiet. So peaceful. He closed his eyes and took a breath. This was the perfect morning.

Sort of.

“Oi!” a voice shouted. The old man froze. No. Don’t tell me…

Against his better judgement, Nick turned around. Clyde stuck her head out of her door, grinning.

“Hi!” she shouted. Nick threw back his head and groaned.

“What do you want?” he asked. The dirty old biddy walked out of her house. Nick looked back at his house.

“My wife is inside, you know?” he asked. Clyde gave him a goofy smile. Once again, his words never got through her thick head. She took a step forward and he stepped back.

“Oh no, you are not doing this today!” Nick snapped. Clyde giggled like a little naughty schoolgirl. She ran forward and tackled her crush.

“Gah!” Nick shouted as they fell back into the chopped-up grass. Clyde was still smiling.

“Get off me!” he shouted. She threw back her head and laughed. Nick tried to push her off but she wouldn’t let go.

“This is the third time this week,” he muttered. He turned back to his house.

“Kay!” Nick shouted. “Help me! Clyde’s at it again! Kay! Kay!” His wife sat at the living room window just staring at him.

“Kay!” Nick shouted again. “Kay!” The whole time, Clyde just laughed.

----------

Aisha, Lewis, and Muriel sat in the Sunny Plum, waiting. They stared at each other, daring someone to speak. Annie and Tucker watched from behind the counter.

“What do you think happened?” Tucker whispered.

“I don’t know,” Annie said. “And I don’t like it.” She walked over to their table.

“Anyone ready to order?” Annie asked. The three old biddies looked up. Suddenly, the bell rang as the glass door opened.

“’Ello, ello!” Clyde shouted with her arms in the air. Aisha sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Clyde!” Lewis said. “So good to see you.” Clyde snickered to herself as she slid into the café. She took a seat between Muriel and Aisha. The leader wrinkled her nose.

“Why are you covered in grass?” she asked. Clyde burst out into loud laughter. Annie cleared her throat.

“Anyone ordering anything?” she asked.

“Four teas,” Aisha said.

“Five pence,” Annie said. The old biddies looked over at the leader. Aisha looked at all of them.

“What?” she asked. Her friends grinned at her. Aisha rolled her eyes.

“Fine,” she said. The rich old biddy pulled out her purse and paid up. Annie took the money. She turned and walked back to the counter. Clyde put her arms behind her head.

“So, what did I miss?” she asked. Her friends all looked at her with no emotion on her face.

--------

William was asleep on the couch when the phone rang. He forced his eyes closer tighter. He had a guess of who it was.

“Not now,” he muttered to himself.

“I’ve got it!” Clover shouted from the kitchen. William turned over on the couch.

“Grandma!” she said. Her uncle sighed to himself. And here we go. The call only lasted for five minutes.

“Really?” Clover asked. “When? Okay, goodbye.” She hung up the phone and ran into the living room.

“Uncle!” she shouted. William put his arms over his head.

“What?” he asked. Clover put her hands on her hips.

“Grandma’s coming to visit!” she said. The old man sat up like a bullet.

“You can’t be serious,” he said. His niece blinked.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked. William was quick to shake his head.

“No, no,” he said. “You didn’t do anything.” The old man stood up walked down the hall.

“Uncle?” Clover asked. He walked past her and disappeared down the hall. She heard the door close. Muzzled screaming followed behind. Clover pressed her lips together and shook her head.

“Oh boy…” she muttered to herself.

-----------

Aisha finished her tea before sitting it down on the saucer.

“My niece is coming for the weekend,” she said. Her friends didn’t speak at first. Lewis narrowed her eyes.

“What does this have to do with us?” she asked.

“I’m going to need your help,” Aisha admitted rather sheepishly. Her friends’ eyes widened.

“What?!” they shouted.

“Yeah…” the leader said, nodding. Muriel, Lewis, and Clyde all looked at each other. The three of them started to get up.

“Get back here,” Aisha hissed as they tried to sneak away. Her friends all froze. Aisha looked up, frowning. The look in her eyes warned them about how serious this was going to be. Something told them that didn’t have any choice other than to agree. Too late to back out now. Aisha poured herself more tea.

End