Late Return
July 11, 2026
Prompt: Write a scene where someone returns an object they borrowed years ago - but neither person mentions the delay.
Note: This took me a little while to write, especially for how short it is. I don't do any sort of creative writing, really, but should. I really don't like proof reading. But, for a story that was made up as I wrote it I like the idea.
Finally erecting a long planned, but longer procrastinated stone wall around his father's house, Adam Ulfen was only faintly aware of the passing weekend day, reminded only by the slow, dispassionate ark of the beating sun. Concerned only with the rythm of construction, Adam had lost himself in passive thought hours ago - the only way to get through such work, he believed. The distinctly human tap on his shoulder, however, snapped him back to reality quickly, no matter how dainty the notice may have been. Swinging around violently, his tool barely avoided the mystery assailants skull, and, after an ugly course correction as sense returned to Adam, an even closer miss with his own skull. A classmate, Louise Ann had fallen back, and quickly stopped her shrieking. Adam, rushing to recover some air of control over the situation, leaned down to help her up.
Flashing a toothy grin to her face, he blurted "Say Louise, sorry about that. You scared me to high hell. I've been working this wall since day break though, so some excitement might end up good for me"
Her brow furrowin, Louise's expression melted from fright to annoyance in front of Adam's very eyes. Bracing, he drew back instinctually as she opened her mouth.
"Adam Ulf I have been calling your name for at least twenty seconds you ditz have you lost your hearing in the last week or are you just acting more a brute than normal I mean you almost took my head off what on Earth is a boy like you doing with a tool like that it's completley irresponsible is what it is and to look me down without offering an appology you should be beside yourself," Despite the increasing distance, she spit in his face as she peppered out syllables of her stream of conscious.
Briefly frowing, Adam got in a word between breaths
"I'm sorry Louise, I was just so wrapped up in this dang wall I couldn't tell you were here. Did you get banged up?"
"I'm fine, no thanks to you" Louise retorted as she sat, then stood up in the field.
"You know, that's no way to treat a woman, you know, swinging blades around for no good reason. How do you think you'll ever find a wife like that?"
"Yeah, yeah", Adam looked down. "Say, what's that you dropped?"
Looking down with Adam, Louise quickly calmed when she saw what Adam was talking about. "Oh. That's your book that you let me borrow. I'm giving it back now." She made no move to pick up the book.
"It don't look like my book. My book is red, and has my name on it." Adam went to inspect the object, and Louise flinched to stop him, but seemed to have thought twice.
"Yea, well, it got a bit beat up, my having it for all this time and all. But that's what happens with a book, you know. It's what someone expects when they borrow it out." Louise didn't believe what she was saying, but prefered that over silence.
"OK Adam see you later sorry about the book and all it was just a mistake really" Louise blurted, backing away while Adam was still nelt down.
As he looked up, Louise had trouble reading his face, but somehow, it seemed like he wasn't all that angry. That couldn't be right, she had thought this through hundereds of times over the last year. Changing everything - where they confronted eachother, who did started it, what he would say, all over this stupid book. The constant in every scenario is that Adam was mad. But looking at him now, he was confused. Almost smiling.
"Say, it's all right Louise, I read that one already, anyways. My mamma made sandwiches, want to eat? I'm starving!"
Unsure, Louise looked over her shoulder at her escape route, and then back. She nodded, unsure if she was being made fun of.
Adam walked over, and then past her, towards his house. "All right, let's go". Louise was slow to move, but started after him.