Prompt: 063. garbage
1. The neighbor’s dogs had knocked over the garbage cans again, though this time they’d ripped open several bags and spread garbage all through the alley.
A. The neighbor’s dogs had knocked over the garbage cans again, though this time they’d ripped open several bags and spread garbage all through the alley. It was a disgusting mess.
“I’m not cleaning this up,” Mellie announced. “No f’ing way. Not this time.”
“What are you going to do?” her husband asked. “Honey?”
“I’m going over there to have a talk with them. This is the third time their dogs have come over here and messed with our garbage. Enough is enough.”
2. There was the strong smell of garbage, that’s what he’d remember later. That as he pushed open the back door there’d been the sour stink of rotten food and something that made his mouth water with the urge to vomit.
A. There was the strong smell of garbage, that’s what he’d remember later. That as he pushed open the back door there’d been the sour stink of rotten food and something that made his mouth water with the urge to vomit.
“Grandma?” his voice quavered. There was no reply.
He stood in the doorway indecisively, the buzzing of flies the only sound he could hear. To go in or go back out.
3. She’d begun to cry even before the police officer got around to mentioning that his body had been found discarded on a pile of garbage.
A. She’d begun to cry even before the police officer got around to mentioning that his body had been found discarded on a pile of garbage. Someone had thrown him into a dumpster after strangling the life out of him. He was never coming home.
They left her with a handful of business cards and a sleepless night of weeping and fretting.
By the time morning came around, she felt as though she’d pulled herself somewhat together. Enough that she was ready to make the dozens of phone calls she needed to make. Starting with a call to his mother.
