Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Last Stop to page 99 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “mess.” That is our prompt.
Mess By John W. Howell © 2026
“You are a mess.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“No, I mean you are literally a mess.”
“In what way?”
“You have food all over your face. It’s like you haven’t been taught anything.”
“I don’t see that I’m doing anything different.”
“This must be the first time I’m noticing then.”
“Uh oh. Looks like the honeymoon is over.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, pointing out little things that now bother you when they never did before.”
“But you should see the mess on your face.”
“I’m not sure how to avoid it.”
“Maybe if you wouldn’t gulp your food, you could be a little more careful about how it goes in.”
“There’s another.”
“Another what?”
“Indication of dissatisfaction.”
“Oh please. Just because I say something about your slopping eating, you take it to mean the honeymoon is over.”
“Is it?”
“If you don’t quit harping on it, I may have to smack you.”
“A loving comment.”
“Eat your carrion and then maybe we can fly to the lake and get you cleaned up.’
I do guess this one, but I really enjoyed it. Made me laugh. Thanks, John.
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Yay. So glad you liked it, Esther. 😄
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Hey Ms Manners, cut the guy a break…that “open-air” carrion is just plain messy🐳
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So true. Especially when trying to avoid cars. 😄
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True, that’s why they always have a designated spotter…they sit on the line and holler Caw, Caw, Caw whenever he/she spots a car!🐳
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Sounds like you are talking about magpies. These are vultures. 😊
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Trying this post again …..
John at first I thought you were talking about my wife.
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Ha ha ha. You really ought to shape up.. 😄
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I’ve always wondered if animals stop and look at their traveling companions or family members while they are eating and say…”really, do you have any idea what you look like right now?”😋
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