Giving Richard Styner
A Short Story
by RStyner
Richard Styner looked at the enchanted map in his hands and felt calm.

He walked over to the window and reflected on his picturesque surroundings. He had always loved hilly San Leandro with its rare, regurgitated rivers. It was a place that encouraged his tendency to feel calm.

Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Morwenna Grey. Morwenna was a remarkable banker with grubby hands and handsome toenails.

Richard gulped. He glanced at his own reflection. He was a giving, spiteful, wine drinker with brown hands and pointy toenails. His friends saw him as a tasteless, thundering teacher. Once, he had even helped a moaning baby bird cross the road.

But not even a giving person who had once helped a moaning baby bird cross the road, was prepared for what Morwenna had in store today.

The clouds danced like walking goldfish, making Richard relaxed.

As Richard stepped outside and Morwenna came closer, he could see the queasy glint in her eye.

Morwenna gazed with the affection of 363 smelly tiny toads. She said, in hushed tones, “I love you and I want love.”

Richard looked back, even more relaxed and still fingering the enchanted map. “Morwenna, I am your father,” he replied.

They looked at each other with jumpy feelings, like two kooky, knobby koalas sitting at a very thoughtful wake, which had R & B music playing in the background and two friendly uncles singing to the beat.

Suddenly, Morwenna lunged forward and tried to punch Richard in the face. Quickly, Richard grabbed the enchanted map and brought it down on Morwenna’s skull.

Morwenna’s grubby hands trembled and her handsome toenails wobbled. She looked angry, her emotions raw like a nosy, new newspaper.

Then she let out an agonising groan and collapsed onto the ground. Moments later Morwenna Grey was dead.

Richard Styner went back inside and made himself a nice glass of wine.

THE END

Richard Styner

Teacher

San Leandro