Love Is A Sock Drawer, My Entry into NYC Midnight’s 500 Word Story Contest (Fall 2024)

Genre: Romantic Comedy/ Action: Running An Errand/ Object: A Sock Puppet

A story of romance . . . a challenge indeed!

“Selina?” Will stammered at little more than a whisper.

Will’s heart pounded and his stomach churned as the destination for their next errand approached.

“Sup?” Selina responded. Her eyes remained on the road.

Will felt it; a heat that had simmered in his gut and his chest all day. No, if he was honest, it started when they first met and became co-workers. The heat became steam, and he couldn’t hold it anymore. Words billowed from his trembling lips and danced through the air like a misshapen cloud.

“Love is a sock drawer and I’ve been lost in the dryer!”

The truck slowed as Selina parked at their next delivery destination. She turned her head just as slowly. Will’s favorite grin teased at her lips and her brow furrowed in concern.

“Will . . . What?” She asked with a light chuckle.

Will removed his right shoe.

“Will, no!” Selina shouted. “What was my one rule about riding in my truck?”

Will sat back up, his outlandish neon orange sock now on his hand.

“Cover your soles or lose your soul!” Mr. Sockerman said.

Selina fought the grin and lost.

“Will ain’t so good with words, so I’m speakin for him. Sorry if I kinda smell. Don’t know about you and Will, but I’ve been working all day.” Mr. Sockerman exclaimed; his worn cotton mouth opened as big as it could at blinding speeds as he spoke.

Selina sighed. “Yeah, he picks up a box or two, I guess.”

“Yeah, he’s no help,” Mr. Sockerman says, leaning in like a conspirator. “He literally wears me out!”

That cute little snort Selina liked to hide erupted before she could stop it. The sound was Will’s goal, his nirvana. It was more important than delivery times. It was more important than his late-night comedy routine with his sock puppets. He’d give anything to be the reason she laughed like that. It was a real laugh, not a pity laugh he sometimes got when his nerves took over at comedy shows and flattened his act.

“Well,” Mr. Sockerman continued. “I know you came to this guy’s shows to see me, not him, but he still feels the love. And I know that asking this way really toes the line between outright embarrassing and cute as hell, but uh. . .”

Selina rolled her eyes at the pun. Her palm slapped against her forehead and her hand moved back through her short dark curls. The smile was stuck there now; a dazzling display that made Will weak in the knees and strong in the heart.

“Can my man Will take a gorgeous way-out-of-his-league gal like you to dinner?”

Selina remained quiet for a bit. A finger twisted a curl as she considered. The pause felt agonizing at first, but soon Selina spoke, and her eyes fell into his. Will nearly forgot why he was worried in the first place.  

“That depends,” Selina replied. “Will he foot the bill?”