Last week for Wordsday Thursday, I did a writing exercise where my sister gave me a first and a last sentence and I filled in the middle! I had a really fun time doing it so this week I requested another two sentences. I don't know if this is nearly as fun to read as it is to write, but if you do read it and enjoy it, I'd love some reader-sentence submissions!
This week's sentences:
First: "Bob took a step and experienced an undeniably one-of-a-kind sensation."
Last: "Trips to the grocery store were never boring again."
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Bob took a step and experienced an undeniably one-of-a-kind sensation. A wafting, enticing, unidentified scent hit him just as soon as he entered Brokaw's Grocery Emporium, a rather decrepit looking establishment located down on the shadier end of Parakeet Lane. Bob had never been there before, but had been trying to make himself go for weeks. Every few days, he left his secure-feeling apartment, shoved his hands deep in his pockets and headed through the February gloom towards the fabled store. But every single time, Bob had faltered right outside. Distracted by the homeless men, grubby hands out-held for cash, a little daunted by the soulless looking employees on break, taking deep drags of their cigarettes. The duct-taped shattered windows gave him pause, as did the missing-person posters that wallpapered the out-of-order phone booths outside. The whole ambiance of the business was one of shadiness and body odor.
But today Bob had made himself push the front door open, did his best to give off the impression he was not scared for his life. Because if you listened to the gossip on the streets, and Bob did, the word was this was THE PLACE for cheap, quality foodstuffs. And after that first smell, he was convinced.
Deep in the recesses of the building, an electric doorbell chimed. Behind the front counter sat a paunchy, middle aged woman with carrot-red hair, reading a ladies magazine. Without even looking up, she squawked, "Welcome to Brokaw's" in the same tone most people would say, "I have to get a colonoscopy." Bob nodded curtly, doing his best impression of a casual, carefree shopper.
Attempting to avoid eye contact, he started down the aisles. He was surprised to see the linoleum floor, though well worn, had been recently scrubbed, and the expiration dates on the cans he inspected were well into the future. As he headed towards the back of the building, that intoxicating scent grew stronger.
Bob rounded the corner. A long, deli counter stretched ahead of him, manned by two burly men in yellowing aprons. They were in deep conversation about the upcoming Super Bowl, but one of the men saw Bob, nudged his coworker in the ribs and indicated him with a deep nod. Bob was sure he imagined it, but he thought he saw the man smirk a little.
"How can we help ya?" grumbled one of the deli workers. Nervously, Bob realized this was no longer a conversation he could avoid. He puffed out his chest a little and sauntered over to the counter. The heavenly aroma increased, and he realized that whatever the smell was, it was right in front of him. He leaned towards the glass and looked at all the meats displayed.
With more authority than he really felt, he demanded, "What's that meat there?" The two deli workers glanced at each other, smiled a little, and one leaned forward.
"Well, son, it's February," said the deli worker, as though it should be obvious. "That there is Groundhog meat."
"It's a specialty," added the other man.
Horrified, Bob gasped a little, before he caught himself. Be cool, be cool, he coached himself. "Ahh," he told the men, "I love Groundhog. So, so... delicious." He nodded to himself.
The deli workers looked at each other like Christmas had come early. They looked at each other, laughed, and spread their arms wide. "Wow!" said one to Bob. "It's so unusual to meet a connoisseur." The other man guffawed.
The first man continued, "Hey, if you like Groundhog, you should try this one!" He indicated one of the darker meats.
"Oh yeah?" said Bob, casually. "What's that one?"
"Roadkill!" the deli workers said together.
Truly repulsed, Bob recoiled a little. Then the two men started laughing hysterically. I've made a grave error. Bob thought to himself, I've been had. He blushed furiously, trying to think of a cool way to cover himself. But then he started to laugh too. Maybe Bob had not sold the "carefree shopper" as well as he had thought.
"It's okay, kid," chortled one of the men. "You're not the first!"
"Or the last," added the other. "Just a little deli humor."
Bob nodded, smiling, abashed. "So what are those meats?"
"Well, son, that one there is called turkey, and that darker one is something called pastrami." They started chuckling again.
As casually as he could, Bob said, "I'll take some of both."
After that, Bob became a regular Brokaw's Grocery Emporium customer. The two deli workers never forgot him, and never forgot to tease him. Trips to the grocery store were never boring again.
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It's kind of late and I don't know if this story is gonna be just bizarre, but I had fun writing it!
Like I said, I'd love sentences for next time!
Sarah
