Ineffable Dorks

Written for today’s @flashfictionfridayofficial​ prompt, “Need more space.” I’ve been wanting to write something about poor Greasy Johnson for a while, and this prompt finally put an idea into my head.

“Watch where you’re going, young man!” The woman Greasy Johnson had just bumped into in the narrow aisle pushed back and glowered at him.

Wrapping his arms around himself in a defensive self-hug that probably but unintentionally looked hostile, Greasy hung his head and waited silently for her to get tired of glaring and leave. There was no point in trying to apologize, as he’d learned early in his eleven years of life; after the third time he ran into them, people tended to stop believing the apologies were sincere. Besides, if he were to apologize every time he accidentally elbowed someone in the ribs or stepped on their feet, he’d just spend all day saying he was sorry.

He hadn’t done it on purpose. It was never on purpose. The place just hadn’t been set up for someone of Greasy’s bulk, especially someone who was in the middle of yet another early growth spurt. If the shop had been more spacious, the aisles less cramped, or even if this small place hadn’t been the only pet store in Tadfield, it would have been fine. 

Or maybe it wouldn’t have been. Greasy usually did find a way to put his far-too-large foot in it, no matter what “it” was.

hey folks🪐

i wanted to thank everyone for the positive feedback i've received on my previous post! it definitely made my week :)

Just look at this gorgeous piece!!