This is a short short story. It's almost too short to describe and certainly not worth a dollar all by itself. Which is why it is part of a foursome. Buy one and get the others free. The three others are Twenty Years Ago Today, Forty Winks and a Nod and Fortunate Child.
The old man approached the counter. He wore a concerned expression on his face, was obviously upset.
“I can’t find my wife,” he complained to the clerk at customer service as Madison, the assistant manager, exited the office. He had been observing from behind a one way mirror.
“Now, now, sir,” the clerk said as Madison approached her from behind. ”What does she look like? Your wife. Can you describe your wife to me?”
“She has long beautiful red hair. She’s about my height, wearing a print dress. Flowers. I think it’s a dress with flowers on it. Can you help me? I can’t find her. I’ve looked everywhere.”
continue reading
A grocery boy arrived on the side of the counter with the old man. “Where did you last see her?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” There was astonishment in his voice. “I really can’t say. It was about five minutes ago.”
“Produce? Did you last see her in the produce department?”
The astonishment was reinforced when the old man asked, “Do you have a produce section? Where is it? Maybe she’s there.”
Madison picked up the microphone. An echoing boom sounded above their heads which filled the store as he turned on the audio system. “Attention shoppers. We have a man looking for his wife. She has long red hair and is wearing a print dress. If that is you, please come to customer service in the front of the store. Thank you.”
BUY FOUR STORIES NOW for $1.
- Hear “She Has Long Beautiful Red Hair” audio narration by Lynne Holyoke:
- Story is included in the Collected Works 2006—only $5.