The Microwave Dings

Written: Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Microwave Dings by Christopher M. Bohan

A Canada Dry Ginger Ale can is on the counter. A bloody knife is in the kitchen sink. The refrigerator is open wide. The second shelf of the refrigerator holds a cucumber and a .38 revolver. The air smells of burnt popcorn. The microwave dings; periodically. The basement door is open. The dehumidifier hums and the dryer buzzes. The bloody corpse of Carlton lay in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. The cell phone in his pocket rings. The central air conditioning unit hums to life. The cell phone stops ringing.

The microwave dings.

There is a grapefruit in Carlton’s hand. There is a load of towels in the dryer. There is a pool of blood next to Carlton’s head. The thermostat is in pieces on the living room floor. There is a motorcycle in the garage. The keys are in Kelly’s hand. Kelly is at the top of the basement stairs. There is a bowling ball in Kelly’s other hand. The bowling ball hits Carlton in the head. The garage door opens. The motorcycle starts. Kelly drives off on the motorcycle.

The microwave dings.