A Story That Hasn't Happened | Flash Fiction

Let me tell you a story that hasn’t happened yet. Let us, reader, look into the future together and see that which might be. Our main character, even now, is sitting on a couch in his living room, staring at a TV that isn’t turned on. At once we wonder at this; why is he not getting up or why is the TV not on? Either way, it doesn’t matter, for those questions deal with the past and we are concerned about this man’s future. What does matter to us is that he will get up and turn on the TV as he does so. Then he will leave with the TV still blaring, and wander into the kitchen. There he is going to turn on the kitchen faucet and stare at the water as it runs over a mildewing pile of unwashed dishes. He will think to himself that it’s no use, and splash at the water with a sudden flare of frustration, which will cause the counter to get wet. Then, once again, he is going to leave the room, the faucet still running and the TV still yelling from the other end of the house. Perhaps we start to think that this man is forgetful and careless or extremely depressed; or maybe he just enjoys paying overpriced utility bills. His aimless steps will lead him out of the house and onto the dandelion carpeted yard. He will have left the front door wide open, although by design or forgetfulness we still don’t know. He is going to survey his cramped and dirt patched yard and frown, picking up a shovel. The same shovel that is out leaning against the front of the house right now. And who knows, he may use it, but a bright horn will break his dead gaze. A blue buggy will veer onto the cracked driveway and a female hand will wave wildly at him from the driver’s window. Our man will pause, recognizing the hand, before slowly walking over to the car. “What’s with all this noise?” He will ask, as the driver rolls down the window.

“Get in, we’ve found something big!” The middle aged woman will tell him, her purple lips highlighting with gloss. Our main character will look back at the house; at the TV he can just see through the window. He will consider the running faucet in the kitchen, and even glance at the open door. He will blink, then shrug, and climb into the back of the bug without a second look back. “Tell me about it.” He will say.

That, of course, is what might happen in the future. What actually will happen is completely unknown, for no one really knows their own future. For right now the man is sitting on his couch, staring at the blank TV screen, and that is where we will leave him; a master of his own actions and a tossed leaf to his own destiny.

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading! This was a fun exercise in writing a story in future tense, what did you think of it? If you enjoy my work, you can support me by dropping me a tip over at Ko-fi