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The Perilous Pizza by Jackie Houchin
My mouth watered, as I remembered the large slice of leftover pizza in the fridge. Sitting behind the wheel of my SUV, I visualized the thin crust, the gooey cheese, the spicy sausage and curling slices of pepperoni, the onions, olives, green peppers and mushrooms – my “reward” for a too long day at work. I deserved it. I craved it.
Why is this traffic so slow?
I thought about Jack; imagined him opening the fridge, noticing my foil-covered triangle of meat and cheese. I clenched the wheel and willed him to ignore the pizza and eat his salad. What had his doctor said? “Your LDL is dangerously high, Mr. Spratt. You must take care.” I pounded the wheel with my fist.
Will this stop light never change?
Suddenly alert, I sensed Jack lifting the foil; sniffing the sausage; licking his lips.
Don’t do it! Eat your salad! Remember your cholesterol! Remember your heart!
The microwave beeped. I stepped on the gas; ran the light.
The pizza came out. I swerved and heard a crash behind me.
His mouth opened. I careened into the driveway and slammed on the brakes.
If he’s eaten it, I’ll kill him!
But the pizza already had.
THE END Jackie Houchin © 2008 |
Jackie Houchin is a photo-journalist,
children's book writer, and book & theater reviewer. She belongs to Mystery
Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, California Writers Club and Alameda
Writers Group, and writes for their newsletters. She writes human interest
stories and business profiles, covers school and local events, and does the
occasional investigative reporting for a local weekly newspaper in Tujunga,
Calif. She reviews books for Mystery Scene Magazine, The Strand, and
Crimespree as well as for the newspaper. She has three granddaughters for
whom she writes serialized mystery, adventure, or fantasy stories. (Each
girl has her own "letter-friend" protagonist.) She has horses and enjoys the
"chores" involved with their daily care. (It keeps her bottom from spreading
too much after sitting at the computer all day, and it sometimes provides
fodder for her stories.)