My Favorite Fungus

by Justin Rempel

About the Author: Justin Rempel is a teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His debut novel is forthcoming in 2018 from Rebelight Publishing. He enjoys writing, running, and cucumbers.

Excerpt

“Where is she?” My voice, like my skin, is cold. To be honest, my tone surprises even me.

The mechanic backs up, hands raised defensively. “Look, man. I don’t want any trouble.” He is nervous. Accelerated heart rate, shaky fingers. A man undergoing extreme emotion. I think I know what that is like.

Holding my hands out to pacify him, I soften my tone. “I don’t want any trouble either.” There is a nametag on his striped coveralls. The nametag reads ‘Pete.’ “Pete,” I say, extending my open palms. It is the ancient way of peaceful greetings. I bear no weapons. The custom does not work.

“How do you know my name?” Pete wags an accusing finger at me. The world whines. I can barely hear him. I have a splitter of a headache.  

“Your nametag,” I explain calmly, but Pete cannot hear me either. He is too busy stumbling backwards through his toolboxes. Spilling over, they send Allen keys and screwdrivers clanking loudly onto the concrete floor of the garage. Their clamor drowns out my explanation. Now Pete will have Allen keys in the screwdriver toolbox and screwdrivers in the Allen key toolbox. Mick’s Auto will go down in financial ruin thanks to this anarchy. Pete should leave his toolboxes closed and latched.

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