Loveday Writing

The brief of the AWC Furious Fiction – December 2022 short story competition was as follows:

• Your story must OPEN with a 12-word sentence.
• Your story must include the sale of a second-hand item.
• Your story must include at least five (5) different words that end in the letters ‘ICE’.

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Trash to Treasure

The last time I saw her was graduation day (and good riddance)!

Tracey Holden was the most popular girl and biggest bully in school, or at least bully to a “freak” like me. The day I graduated high school was the best day of my life because I could get away from her and start a new life outside of the school hierarchy. I went on to get my degree, marry the “perfect” guy, buy a big house, and outgrow my so-called “freakish” qualities.

So, what the hell was she doing at my house and at my garage sale?

I didn’t even want to have a garage sale, but since my “perfect” guy left me (but not before cheating on me twice with two different women), I’m desperate for money….and to get rid of his stuff that he left behind because he was in such a hurry to get away from me (apparently). He was in such a hurry that he was “nice” enough to leave me the house.

I’m hoping that she won’t recognise me, buy a thing or two and leave. When she stood in front of me, I gave her an obligatory friendly smile but then had to put on a poker face.

“Sara Riddleman, is that you?”

“Yes? I’m sorry who are you?” I said, hoping that my poker face held and my sudden ‘amnesia’ seemed plausible.

“Tracey Holden, we went to high school together…I was a little awful to you back in the day. I’m so sorry for that by the way, you didn’t deserve that, nobody does.”

“Oh…well so much time has passed, water under the bridge.” I lied, trying not to grit my teeth or give her any reaction or satisfaction.

“I heard that you moved out here with your husband, and what happened recently.”

Of course she did.

“I wanted to come by and tell you that I’m sorry for what happened to you, and to buy everything from you.”

What? Why?

“What? Why?”

“My husband did the same thing to me, and I did the same thing you’re doing now, only it took me twice as long to get rid of his stuff. Let me make this easy for you, I’ll buy everything, and up the price too, twice, no, thrice as much.”

“Thank you, oh, and if you’re looking for a solicitor, give me a call.”

She gave me her business card along with cash for my “perfect guy’s” stuff, Tracey Holden, Family Law – Divorce Specialist.

Of all the people to turn my husband’s trash into usable treasure, I didn’t think it would be my school bully.