Used To Be Bad
This is my fifth April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
USED TO BE BAD
I always wanted a restaurant, so when the place came up for sale, I couldn’t resist.
I can forgive a dark past; I hope the locals can, too.
I cleaned and repainted the mildewed walls. The furniture had been taken as evidence, so I had space for booths.
I hauled away the rusty old appliances and installed shiny new ones. I replaced the bloodstained kitchen counters with marble. I trashed the chipped, dull knives and bought professional-grade Wusthofs.
Call me sentimental, but I just couldn’t get rid of the old ice box.
After all, that’s where I kept the bodies.
Check back tomorrow for “V”…
“Used To Be Bad” was written by McCartney and Steve Miller. It appears on Paul’s 1997 album “Flaming Pie” where he performs the song as a duet with Miller.
Colin, oh dear! I was thinking a great candidate for HGTV. I think there could be a whole series dedicated to remodeling serial killers homes and businesses. But then it’s Monday. I always feel quite serial killer on Mondays.
These have been so much fun. Will you be happy to see the end of the Alphabet?
I can see it now: “Killer Properties” or “Homes to Die For”… 🙂 I have mixed feelings about the end of the A-to-Z challenge. It was fun writing these stories, and encouraging to read all the nice comments from people, as well as interacting with readers. But it will be nice to get back to normal blogging/writing.
I wouldn’t call him ‘sentimental’ lol 😛 I gasped at the ending; I didn’t see it coming. I thought he was just an innocent guy…
Yes!! I’m so glad when a surprise ending works. Thanks, Me! 😀
Oh, no, no, no – don’t count me as one of your customers! Forgiving a dark past is one thing, but this goes to a whole new level!
Doesn’t it, though… doesn’t it… 😀
LOL, love the ending, excellent, One of your best!
Thank you so much, Yolanda! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
Oh, Colin. And I was thinking about going out to eat. I guess ham sandwich sounds good. In my dream of dreams I have always wanted to have enough money to restore a painted lady house. Now you make me think twice about that plan.
Regardless, it’s impeccably written as always. I’d like to say I loved it, but it kind of creeps me out. Ugh.
Of course, I’m the person using a casket stand for a night stand.
lol–thanks, Julie! I understand. Bye-bye sweet, the creep factor has returned, even if no-one died. Yet. 😉
Call me sentimental. Love that.
Thanks, Silver Fox! 🙂
I love the dark twist at the end.
~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I’m glad you like it, Patricia. Thanks! 🙂
Oh yes, great setup. Had to have been a great setup cuz you got me totally at the end. I thought the new owner was gonna go quickly outta business because nobody else can forget the past. But nooooooooo, the owner IS the past. I think I love to be gotten almost as much as I enjoy figuring the story out. Great job, Colin. I agree with someone earlier who said this was one of your top ones.
If a story’s well-written, I don’t mind figuring out the end. But it’s always so much better when the ending is a surprise. And not an out-of-left field, where-did-that-come-from?? kind of ending, but one I can look back and say, “ahh… yes, I get it…”
Thank you so much, John! 🙂
Yes, completely agree. I love a twist ending where you can go back and re-read the piece and say “oh yeah, I see it now.”
Now I want to know the backstory 🙂 That last line is just perfect.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Thank you so much, Tasha–I’m glad you liked it. 🙂