Dialogic

Flash fiction. Waiting for a meeting with only dialogue. Determining meaning is your job.

Dialogic

"Why do you always eat alone?"

"I prefer the quiet. It helps me think."

"The meeting's at quarter-to, so we have some time. Mind if I sit?"

"I don't."

"Ahh... I really have to get my knee checked out. Notice how I had to kinda flop down like that?"

"Everybody notices."

"It's worse when it's raining. Hey, is me sitting here a problem?"

"It's.... No. I just don't know what to say."

"Can I ask you why you bothered coming? I know it's court-ordered, but that doesn't mean you'd show up."

"I don't know. I guess that I just wanted to come."

"Well, whatever you're doing here, just make sure you don't put your feet on the desk. They don't seem to like that."

"Did you?"

"Does that surprise you? Remember movie night?"

"You'd throw your feet in my lap. Yes, I remember."

"Why don't we ever do that anymore?"

"Your dad punched me in the face."

"Oh, right! Are you telling me you're scared of my dad?"

"Only that I'd rather not get punched in the face."

"It happens so often, I figured you'd get used to it."

"He's a little bigger than you are."

"Hey, you'll be on camera tomorrow. Wonder how he'd react if I kissed you on national T.V."

"I'm sure he'd be fine with his daughter mookin' a convict."

"You're not a convict! Come on, stop beating yourself up over it. You did the right thing."

"Still drunk when I did. That's all that matters."

"You had a few. Look, are you gonna let this ruin your life?"

"Why'd you come down here? You're not forced to be here anymore."

"Really? You have to ask?"

"Well?"

"I came here to support you, silly!"

"I wouldn't have bothered."

"You're right. Coming down here was a pretty stupid idea."

"Jeez, just sit down. I told you I didn't know what to say."

"Sam, I know you're not what they say you are. But you keep pushing me away, and all you'll have left are the media, who wanna smear you, the school, who's afraid of you, my dad, who wants to break your nose-"

"I get it."

"And your dad, who-"

"Let's not even talk about him."

"Please, Sam. I'm trying to get you to see that I'm on your side. I've always been on your side, even when you aren't on your side."

"You always had a way of making so much sense with nonsense."

"Fine, I'll sit. It's the closest I'll get to an apology."

"I'm sorry."

"Much better! Look, I know what happened with you and your dad is messed up, but you're not him."

"Less sorry."

"Keep talking, and I'll start smacking you. The point is, going to these meetings isn't your fault, but maybe this'll help you deal with all that."

"Why? You know what he did. He deserved to lay in a hospital bed for a few hours."

"Sam, listen! I told you I'm on your side! It's just, you know you've been a little snappy lately. This might be for the best, and it'll show my dad that you're trying."

"You - you did think it was all my fault!"

"Sam-"

"You know what? I don't need you here after all. Why don't you just go home and put your feet in Jessie's lap?"

"Did you just call me what I think you did?"

"Maybe I did!"

"Maybe you shouldn't have."

"Get lost."

"I'll still always be on your side, Sam."

"GO!"

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"Just go, and don't bother with me anymore."

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"Sam, we're ready for you now."

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!