I was looking through the documents on my computer and came across one entitled “Ruminations,” written January 23. Apparently I was quite bored, and felt like writing a short story. I don’t remember if I ever even intended for it to be finished; perhaps it was only ever supposed to be a tantalizing beginning. The story, up to the last two sentences, is in fact true. Indeed, I think I actually wrote it while I was sitting on the couch waiting for her to get back, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Anyway, here is the beginning to what I think could be a good story, if I would bother to come up with the rest of it:
Ruminations
I still don’t quite know how it happened. I know only that it did happen. At least, I’m sure it happened. Others are markedly less so, but I’ll let you be the judge of who is right. I resolve to simply tell it like it is, without any embellishments or omissions.
You see, it all started one day when I went over to a friend’s house. She was having some furniture delivered but had to make it to the store to buy something before they closed. She asked me to come over in case they came while she was gone, and I happily obliged.
I sat around listening to music for a while when I heard the distinct sound of a diesel engine outside. Ah, the delivery guys, she’ll be excited! Little did I know at the time that something as innocuous as a sofa could truly lead to so much excitement, nor so much terror.
The brought in the sofa, I signed for it, and waited on my friend to get back. The sofa was made of a smooth, soft leather, with a rich smell. The color was a deep, but not inky, black. It had character, but sophistication. The size was perfect for lounging. Three people could sit comfortably on its plush cushions, or as would more often be the case, one could lie comfortably with one’s head on the arm rest and feet not quite touching the other arm rest. And so I did. It was a cool night in January, and the sofa had been in the truck for hours, I’m certain. I figured this way I would warm it up by the time she got back. Only, she didn’t come back, or she did but I wasn’t there, only I was there. If you think you’re confused, be glad you aren’t me.