Jillian Chantal

This week, the authors of Tuesday Tales are writing to a picture prompt. None of them really worked for my story, but I had an idea about the one I chose. One time, I was in Battery Park in NYC and oddly, a wild turkey walked past me- In the middle of Battery Park!  So, I thought about having that happen to my protagonist in Boston and then I thought about her calling someone a turkey. When I went to actually write my post, my brain did something else entirely.  🙂 I  must have been thinking about that cute turkey on the Chantix commercial. 🙂

Be sure to check out the other tales here. Remember, we are limited to 300 words this week.

I kept walking but soon realized he was striding beside me, pacing me. “Will you leave me alone?”

“No can do. I really need your help.”

“It’s clear to me now that you’re some kind of lunatic and I’m going to call the police if you don’t back off.”

“That would be fine. Go ahead and call them.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. “Are you kidding me? What sane person would invite the police to be called?” A reason dawned on me as soon as the words were out of my mouth. “Wait. Are you homeless? Do you need a place to stay and jail guarantees a warm place and food? I’d be glad to buy you a meal. I can’t give you money as I can’t enable you to buy liquor with it, but I’d be glad to buy you something to eat.”

The man laughed. “I’m not homeless. And I’m not a drunk. You could say I quit cold turkey a long time ago.”

“So you have had a drinking issue in the past?” This was making more sense now. Perhaps he was having a psychotic break and was fixated on me for some reason. Maybe I should call the police and have him picked up. After all, the first day I saw him, he was hauled off the train by law enforcement. It must be a way of life for him. Sadly. He did seem kind but clearly needed help.

“No, Jane. I’ve never had an alcohol problem. I’m not allowed to drink.”

“Not allowed? What kind of nonsensical sentence is that?” I looked at my watch. “Much as I’d like to stand her listening to your crap, I can’t be late to work. They’re pretty strict about that kind of thing.”