Flash Fiction Friday, Week 10 - The Right One

The prompt this week was a setup for our story. We were to think of our favorite coat. For personal reasons, we donate it to charity. Our story was to be about who ended up getting the coat and how it changed their life. My granddaughter, Michaela, pitched an idea to me for this one, and I loved it. I hope I’ve done her idea justice. I hope you enjoy.

The Right One

“I’m surprised that you donated that gorgeous black fur coat. I know how much that meant to you. Didn’t it belong to your great grandmother?”

“Yes, and it’s always been a treasure to me. You know I’m not superstitious, but something told me the time was right to let it go. Did I ever tell you that before she disappeared, she told my grandmother she hid a letter in the lining?”

“What? Who to?”

“I don’t know. She said it wasn’t meant for any of us, and to keep it hidden. She said someday, the right one would get it.”

“That’s creepy.”

“I know, but she was so serious, we all respected her wishes. It’s like my family’s great mystery.”

“I wonder if the right one will get it.”

“I hope so.”

**

“Jules, why’d you take that coat? Looks like a woman’s.”

“I know, Sam, but it was the last one the church had, and the pavement’s cold. This’ll be a warmer blanket than old newspapers.”

“What’s that lump under the lining? I hope it’s not drugs. We don’t need trouble with the cops.”

“I’m gonna pull it out. The linings torn a bit.”

“A note. What’s it say?”

“Oh God, Sam. It says ‘I am dying, but the female will hide my words, so there is still hope. She knows they will torture her, but I believe she will remain true. You, who have found my testimony, warn them. Warn them all. More are coming, and they will show no mercy at the end.’ What the hell does it mean? Who are they?”

“Just toss it, Jules. It’s a joke.”

“I don’t think so, Sam. It’s no joke.”

**

“Jules, what are you trying to pull?”

“Sargent Mike, I’m not trying to pull anything. I believe something terrible is going to happen, and we need to warn people.”

“You find a crazy note in an old coat and now you’re the messiah?”

“I’m a man who sleeps in alleys and eats at soup kitchens. But when I read this note, I got a feeling. This is real, and I’m afraid.”

“You making this up to find a bed for the night? I’ll tell you what. There’s an empty cell in the back, and you can spend tonight there. You’ll get coffee and eggs in the morning, but then you’ve got to be on your way. If the supervisor finds out I let you sleep it off, I’ll get written up.”

“I’m not making anything up, and I don’t need to sleep anything off. Please. Help me to get the word…”

“Here’s $10 from my own pocket, Jules. Go get a meal and a bottle for the night.”

“I don’t want your money or a bottle.”

**

“Mr….uh, Jules, it’s got to be a prank. Do you know who donated it to the church?”

“No, sir, but I have the feeling that…”

“I’m sure. We can’t publish that in the newspaper. I mean, how would we head it?”

“People need to be warned. I’m so afraid. Something terrible is…”

“Warned about what? That’s a great story you’re telling.”

“No, this isn’t a story. I’m not making anything up. You don’t seem to…”

“Look, thanks for bringing this to me. Here’s $10. That should get you a hot meal and a bottle for your trouble.”

“I don’t want your money or a bottle.”

**

“Hey, no offense, but aren’t you a bit old to be joining the army?”

“I’m not trying to join. I’m afraid. I’ve been to the police, and the newspaper, and nobody believes me. That’s why I came here to show you the note. The military will look into it and do something, right?”

“About what? Clues about Armageddon sewn into an old coat you got from a church? You get your imagination from the bottom of a Jim Beam bottle?”

“I’m not drunk, and I never said it was about the end of the world, but since you brought it up…”

“Look, pops. Here’s a tenner. Go get a sandwich and a fifth of something. I’ve got to close this office for the day.”

“I don’t want your money or a bottle.”

**

“Jules, over here. I hung on to your coat. Randy tried to take it, but I told him to leave it alone, and go spend the night under the Eighth Street Bridge with Solomon. Those two are so much…”

“No one believes me. They think it’s a joke, or that I’m making it up. I’m afraid, Sam, really afraid. I’m not sure of what or who, but I know something terrible is out there and we need to warn people.”

“Jules, it’s late, and you know how dangerous it gets out there just with the regulars. That older lady from the church brought me a blanket and two burgers from the diner. She knows you and me sleep here when the mission’s full. She also brought a couple of bottles of wine. She said the saints in the Bible drank wine, so it’s not sinful.”

“She’s a good woman, Sam, and she cares about folks. Maybe I could show her the note.”

“I’ll go with you, but that’s for tomorrow. Right now, let’s just eat and enjoy some of her Bible juice.”

“Bible juice. Good one, Sam. Oh, she put chips in the bag too.”

**

“No one believes the human.”

“Not yet, anyway.”

“Do you think he might drop the matter since none of his kind take the warning seriously?”

“Perhaps, but we shall watch him closely still, just in case someone does.”