Ten Words

I was given ten words yesterday and asked to write something that used all ten. I was amused by it. I hope that you are, too.

The ten words were: truth, anger, pain, high, weep, concert, ecstasy, boredom, run, swim.

"Tell me the truth," said Eric. "Is there mayonnaise in this casserole?"

"Honey, would I do that to you? Run and get the wine glasses, would you? They're too high for me to reach." Zelda uncorked the white zinfandel and sniffed appreciatively at the top. Eric returned with two glasses.

"White zinfandel, are you serious? Is this the 1980s? I weep with despair over your tastes in wine."

Zelda looked up in surprise. "You'll love this one! At ten dollars a bottle, how could you not?"

She handed him a filled glass. Eric took a small swallow and winced in pain. Zelda sipped hers with relish.

"I wish, if price were no object, to be able to swim in a Whirlpool filled with white zinfandel," she murmured, eyes bright with ecstasy.

"You sure know how to live, don't you," said Eric, shaking his head. "No moments of boredom around here."

They raised their glasses and clinked them in concert. Eric portioned casserole onto their plates.

"God, this looks fabulous. I'm starved." Eric crammed a generous forkful into his mouth. He closed his eyes and chewed, nodding thoughtfully. Suddenly he stopped chewing, his cheeks still bulging. He lunged for his wine glass and took a large gulp of pink syrupy wine. He choked and coughed, and bits of chicken sprayed across the table. Zelda bustled behind him and pounded on his back urgently.

"Keep coughing! Keeping coughing!"

Eric managed to clear his mouth and took several deep breaths. His face faded from fuschia to rose.

"Why do you hate me so much?" he said, his voice thick with anger. "Honestly. Mayonnaise?"