Paperback
Kindle
About the Author: Martin Zeigler writes short fiction. A number of his stories have been published in small-press venues, both in print and online. In addition to writing, Marty dabbles on the piano and takes long walks. He makes his home in the Pacific Northwest.
Otto looked over just as Etta thumped her book shut. She placed it ever so carefully beside her on the bedspread, then turned to Otto and gave him a quick smile. “I poisoned the soup this evening,” she said.
Well, Otto thought, this was certainly an improvement over the things Etta usually wanted to talk about at bedtime. Things like maybe someday heading out to Mapleburg Lake for a picnic, maybe someday listening to the Mapleburg Barbershop Quartet sing the old standards, maybe someday browsing the annual flea market at the Mapleburg Senior Center, maybe someday doing such-and-such in Mapleburg, maybe someday doing thus-and-so.
In fact, the subject of poisoned soup came as such a welcome change that Otto, for the first time in he didn’t know how long, set aside his own book and actually took part in the conversation.
“Maybe you’re mistaken,” he said. “Because I’m not feeling anything yet. How about you?”
“Not a thing,” Etta said.
“Pot that big, maybe you should’ve tripled the recipe.”
“It was just your bowl. Not the entire pot.”
Otto nodded. “I see. Well, hate to say it, Etta darling, but you might have to take the poison back to PoisonMart and get your money back, because I feel like a million bucks.”
“It’s slow acting.”
“Does this mean I can wait till morning to call 9-1-1?”
“You’re welcome to try, honey, but you likely won’t make it through the night.”
Very witty!
My husband overhears my conversations about various murder plots and devices. Then he tells his friends about these, and says, ”I fear for my life.”
Good story, Martin! Clever, moves right along, I enjoyed it. Not a big fan of reading online these days, makes my eyes tired. But I stuck with this one! Looking forward toi the next!
A clever and fun story. Held my interest all the way.
Loved the repartee. Enjoyable story.
Very clever. I almost became convinced it was a macabre joke, and then . . . nice twist at the end.
Very clever and extremely witty! I truly enjoyed the story! Nice twist at the end! Well done!!
Loved it
Nicely done....
Marvelous story, which I just happened to read while sitting in a waiting room of the local hospital.
Great story! It made me laugh.
Good one Martin. Very well done.??
© 2021 AM Marketing Strategies. All Rights Reserved.