The cafe was full of mothers, noise and empty pushchairs. They blocked the spaces between the tables, their previous occupants wriggling in laps, crawling underfoot and getting in the way of the waitresses who held plates of hot food over the heads of the customers and squeezed sideways between the chairs.
“Why did you suggest this place?” said Thomas. “It’s hardly private.”
“What?” Alice said raising her voice above the racket.
“Everyone will hear us,” Thomas shouted and the woman at the next table turned to stare.
Alice shuffled her chair closer and leant in. “Is that better?” her voice was low in his ear. “It’s the perfect place not to be overheard.” He could smell the soap she used, lime and something herby, basil or thyme perhaps. “Besides, I only agreed to meet to say that it has to stop. We have to stop.”
“It’s too late to stop now Alice,” Thomas said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She pulled away and dropped two sugar cubes from the bowl in front of them into her black coffee. “You don’t take sugar,” he said.
“I do now.” She stirred her coffee so some of it slopped over into the saucer.
He put his fingers on her wrist and she let them rest there. “Everything’s alright. No one knows?” He didn’t mean it to sound like a question, but he was aware of a subtle shift in power.
“We’re freaks,” Alice said angrily. Thomas tightened his fingers around her wrist. “I’m a freak!” Alice stood up, her chair scraped against the floor and a woman plucked a child out of the way.
“No Alice,” Thomas hissed, still holding on to her. “It’s natural. We love each other.”
She yanked her arm up and out of his grasp. “And you’re the worst freak of all.” The woman at the next table looked again and Thomas stared her down, but when he turned back, Alice was pushing her way out to the street.
***
This story is from a prompt given by Trifecta – an online writing group. Each Monday writers are challenged to write a story between 33 and 333 words long using a specified word and its meaning. This week the word is freak and the meaning is one that is markedly unusual or abnormal. Click here to read some other responses or to join in.
I’d love to hear what you think about this piece – good or bad. Let me know in the comment box below.
I was there – in the crowded café, listening to the noise, seeing the couple try to shout to each other to be heard, while wanting a private conversation. I felt the woman’s pain and worry and conflict, and the man’s desire to make it all work. Excellent piece of flash fiction!
Great. Glad that I got you in that space. Thanks for reading.
Claire
I imagine it’s an affair they’re talking about but it’s also fun to imagine all sorts of things they could be talking about instead! 😀 This is a great piece!
It is an affair, but not your usual sort… Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
I like this a lot, I can vividly picture a cafe just like this. I’m guessing there’s something more sinister and strange to her reaction though, it’s not so freakish to be involved in an affair, perhaps they’re closely related?
Ahh, Trudy, you’re so clever. Yes, I’m imagining that they’re brother and sister, but I didn’t want to state it. I wanted to see what people came up with.
Welcome to Trifecta, we’re glad to have you! I’m intrigued. What is it that makes them freaks?
Hi, thanks for having me! They’re brother and sister, but I deliberately didn’t want to make this clear.
Thanks for reading.
Claire
You’ve described the scene well! Of course, I’m curious about what she is trying to end…it could be an affair, a friendship taken too far, or maybe she doesn’t want to be the french maid anymore 🙂
It’s brother and sister. I like to keep people guessing…always good to make the reader do a little work too!
Thanks for your comments.
Claire
I’m so curious now! Really compelling scene. Great description. I was hooked from the opening line.
Thanks. I’m thinking they’re brother and sister.
Claire
THAT us exactly what I thought, but I didn’t want to go too far out there. Now I love it even more. Very taboo!!
I love the detail about the soap, and the way you use the sugar to show that something has changed. I’m not sure what makes them “freaks,” but maybe we are meant to wonder. It does leave a lot of room for the imagination! Very nicely written.
Yes, I wanted readers to wander, but I can put you out of your misery – they’re brother and sister.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
!!! That makes it all make sense! You might consider dropping a tiny hint, but then again, leaving it open to interpretation makes it a fun read.