In this series, I will take the Word of the Day from Dictionary.com and craft a short piece of creative writing around it. My goal is to embrace the meaning of the word in some unique way, all the while trying out different styles, rhythms and characterizations. It is as much an exercise in creativity as it is an exploration of grammar. Enjoy!
– – –
By Alex Seise
“Anythin’ else outta the ordin’ry you can ‘member from last night, ma’am?” asked the officer. He chewed on a dull piece of nicotine gum, letting the flavorless resin jam between his coffee-stained teeth. It was better than dealing with the shakes.
“No, no, nothing. I…I was cognizant of the fact that he was unhappy… But I never thought he’d do something this…drastic.” 68-year old Greta Albans, a retired high school home-ec. teacher, said, her thin silvery hair slipping loose from her sleeping bun. The fluorescent glare of the police station lights burned her already red eyes, and it made the dried tear marks on her wrinkled cheeks shimmer.
The officer picked up the small wooden figure from the table, turning it over in the palm of his hand. “Wish I could say it was the first time I’d seen somethin’ like this,” he said, rubbing his tongue over his large kernel teeth. He clicked his cheek, examining the handiwork. “But frankly, ma’am, it’s usu’ly a man runnin’ off with a doll, not becomin’ one.”
