In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.”
You can visit Keith’s post. Here’s the link https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/kreative-kue-400/
The Photo.
The Doctor by John W. Howell © 2023
“Tell me again. How did this happen?”
“Um. It is not a pleasant story, Doc.”
“Well, to treat it effectively, it would help if I know how you got it.”
“You promise this will stay between us.”
“I have taken an oath. Besides, HIPPA rules would have my butt if I talked about my patient’s treatments.”
“Okay then. I was having a drink or two—”
“Or two?”
“Okay, maybe I lost count. Anyway, I was feeling good and decided to entertain the folks at the party.”
“You didn’t mention a party.”
“There was a party.”
“Go on.”
“I decided to get a few laughs with my juggling.”
“Sounds pretty benign.”
“It was for a while. I started with oranges.”
“Started?”
“Then moved to grapefruit.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Then someone suggested watermelon.”
“Still doesn’t look like a problem. This looks pretty nasty, bump.”
“My spouse suggested we leave.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Have you ever ignored your spouse?”
“I can’t say I have.”
“Well, when I ignored the request to leave, my spouse added in a bowling ball to the watermelon mix.”
“Couldn’t handle it, and it came down on your head?”
“No, I was doing fine until the ball-bat came down on my head.”
“Yeah, you’re going to need stitches.”
“And a note to get me back in the house?”
“You must have put on a real show.”
“So they tell me.”
“Not sure a note will work.”
“How about saying I have a terminal illness.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Without a note, it isn’t.”
Fiction Favorites 
Oh dear! Someone is in trouble. Good one, John; thanks.
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Thank you, Keith. 400 seems like a milestone.
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I thought doctors were supposed to be helpful?
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Well you know how it is sometimes.
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Oh, I really do, John…
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😊
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Just goes to show, you can piss off your doctor but your spouse? Not so much. Unless you dig pain, that is.
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Yes indeed.
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The real question is if he was juggling the bat or was just whacked with it.
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I think it was a whack.
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Stitches? And here I thought the monkey just had dandruff!
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Photos can be misleading for sure. Thanks, GP. 😁
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Baseballbatitis is a malady I will be sure to avoid.
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Yes it is not pleasent.
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I thought the monkey had lice!
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No it is baseballbatitis
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haha, oh that’s even better, Liz!
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Thanks, GP!
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LOL! Good one, John! I love monkeys! 🙂
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They can be good for a few laughs. Thanks, Jill.
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Ignore your spouse at your own peril.
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Could be one on the ten commandments
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Proof that they weren’t written by Adam.
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For sure.
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Play the clown all you want but when the wife says it’s enough. It’s enough!
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No kidding. I remember The Producer saying it was time to go at a party. I said, “I’m ready.” She then said, “Maybe you should try and find your shoes before we go.”
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Hahaha! You weren’t taking any chances, eh?
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I didn’t realize I wasn’t wearing shoes. 😳
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Too funny 🙂
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😁
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That is quite a tale, John. 🙂 It pays to listen to your spouse!
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It sure does. Thanks, Jan
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Being life of the party could be the death of friend monkey.
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No telling what would be next.
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LOL Great story, John. 😀
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Glad you liked it, Kymber.
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Great story. I can picture that happening after a couple of drinks.
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It certainly could, Molly Shea. Thank you. 😁
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Cool result from monkeying around, John. I wonder if he’ll get back in the monkey house, and if the band will be playing. 🙂
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Hard to say. I know he will need some pain killer later. Not sure he will be able to handle a band. Thanks, Tim
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Monkey Business Salon
Good to see you again Louise.
You may want to consider using the flea shampoo I recommended to you on your last visit.
How’s your husband Earl? Stil the Alpha male of the pack?
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Great dialogue. Tom
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Sounds like quite a party for him.
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It was jumping for sure.
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Uh drinking, party, juggling, bowling ball — what could go wrong, huh? Nicely spun tale, John.
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Thank you, Debbie. 😁
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I was nodding along with the watermelon and bowling bowl, but never saw the baseball bat coming. Hilarious, John.
At work, we always said, ‘If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.’ Get the note, buddy.
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That is a good saying for sure. Thanks, Lois
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He better take a huge bouquet of flowers and a piece of jewelry with that note, LOL. Good one, John!
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Good advice, Mae.
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This is hysterical, “Sounds pretty benign.” It always starts out that way! I did not see the bat coming! Wonderful tale John! Hugs, C
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Thank you, Cheryl. Hugs back.
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Haha! Wonderful.
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Thank you, Holly. 🌹
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My pleasure!
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🐂
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🐂🐂
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😊
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Never ignore the wife.
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Happy wife, happy life.
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Well done on the prompt, John. This was fun.
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So glad you liked it, Jennie.
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🙂
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😊
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[…] The Doctor by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
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