Flash in the Pan – Parboiled

“Don’t drip into the sauce, Alejandro.” Marina dabbed a towel over her face and sighed.

In Pastry, Rick’s face shone like a deformed beet on steroids, ready to split and explode. He cleared his throat and hopped from side to side. “Stop dancing, Rick,” she snapped. “Or have you something to tell us?”

The pastry chef glared at her and set down the water bottle. “I need to take a walk.” Guffaws and laughter sent him sprinting.

“Don’t forget to wash your ha-ands,” a girly voice offered.

“Back to work, gang.”

Microsoft Clipart

“When is the air-conditioning repair coming?” The busboy slinked into the kitchen. “You think this is hot, try the restaurant. Customers’ brains must be parboiled— they’re skipping dessert.” He smirked at Rick’s return.

“And ours are barbecued. Two more hours troops. Chop, chop,” Marina scolded benignly.Rick tossed his hat.

“Don’t you dare…”

“Kiss my a**.”

“Sure thing, sugar.”

~ * ~

The word limit for Parboiled is 150 words. I used all 150. Check out http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/ for the rules and join us.

Anatomy of Sleep

Cause

Drink too much wine: fall asleep for about 15 minutes then stay awake all night.

Drink too much coffee: awake all night and fall asleep for about 15 minutes just before dawn.

Eat too much before bed: can’t sleep and can’t stand the thought of food.

Go to bed hungry:  can’t sleep; thinking about food.

What a party / get together: too wound up to sleep, had such a good time.

 

Really Stupid Reasons for Not Sleeping

I’m working on a puzzle (let me find just one more piece).

I’m knitting and can’t stop. My hands have a mind of their own.

I’m reading a really good book. Finally finish book and fall asleep before dawn.

I’m worried I’ll miss the alarm. Too excited to sleep.

Effect:

Start writing a To-do list, turning on the light every 15 minutes to write another item on list.

Finally rub my right elbow raw from propping myself up to put on the light every 15 minutes.

Up and down to the bathroom every 15 minutes.

Still hopeful. Still trying to catch some zs in spite of tossing and turning all night.

Consequence:

• Can’t sleep but can’t read (my eyes won’t open)
• Can’t sleep but can’t watch TV (I need some zs)
• Can’t sleep but can’t go online (nobody’s more important than sleep)
• Can’t sleep but can’t do housework (avoid it in daytime, why would I do it at night?)

Did I finally get any sleep last night? About 15 minutes just before dawn. The alarm went off and I bolted out of bed like a torpedo with no idea of where I was and what I was doing.

Just goes to show you, sleep isn’t a total waste of time. It saves you from dementia!