So this one is a bit different from my usual flash, but I kind of love it. It’s from prompt #61 out of The 3AM Epiphany by Brian Kiteley (a fantastic prompt book, I 100% recommend for thinking outside the box!), called “Character Building.” In this prompt, two characters have to–through dialogue only–create a fictional character between them. I wrote this one on the porch with a black razz LeCroix on Tuesday, and since I was thinking about it all week, I decided to put it up. Enjoy!
Meeting Erica
(a flash fiction by Maggie Slater)
Sorry! I thought you were someone else.
Erica?
What?
Did you think I was Erica? Apparently, I look just like a woman called Erica.
I actually don’t know anybody named Erica. What’s yours?
Jessica.
You do look like an Erica, though.
Do I? What about me says ‘Erica’?
The color of your jacket, I think. The cut’s business-formal, but in lilac it’s…spunky.
I look spunky, huh?
You look like Erica, who’s definitely spunky.
I thought maybe it was the hair.
Oh, the hair’s very like Erica, too. Is that a hint of pink in there, way at the back?
You noticed! Erica hides hers, too.
Does she? Erica seems too self-confident for that.
She’s outwardly confident, but inwardly-!
Ah, I see. It’s the history of childhood bullying, I suppose.
Well, she was involved in bullying, but I’m sorry to say, she was the bully.
No! Not Erica! She’s too sweet!
Sweet to you, maybe, but a Royal B to other girls.
Rats. And here I’d always had a bit of a crush on her. Disappointing.
Isn’t it? Though to be fair to her, I do think she’s outgrown it.
Well, that’s something. This yours?
Mocha latte with soy—yup.
Erica’s vegan, isn’t she?
No, just lactose intolerant.
Ah, that’ll do it. Well, sorry to have bothered you.
That’s all right. Any friend of Erica’s is a friend of mine.
Actually, speaking of Erica, would you mind passing my number on to her? I lost my phone a few months back, and I just realized I don’t think I ever let her know.
Oh, sure! I see her now and then. What was your name?
Kevin.
Kevin, got it. Okay! Nice talking to you!
#
Kevin?
Oh, hi Erica!
Jessica.
Ugh. I did it again, didn’t I? You two really do a lot alike.
No argument there. Hey, I just wanted to call and let you know that Erica’s moved out of the country.
Has she? Wow! You think you know a person…
Abrupt, right? But I guess that’s Erica all over.
Now that you mention it…
Listen, Kev—
Kevin. Sorry, my stepdad always called me ‘Kev’ and I hated it.
Oh, I get you. Sorry, Kevin. Hey, I was thinking, since we’re both such good friends with Erica, maybe—you know, while she’s overseas—maybe we could hang out sometime. You know, since we’re not hanging out with Erica.
Good idea! It’ll fill the holes in my calendar nicely. You know, Erica and I were supposed to get drinks on Thursday. I don’t suppose-?
Lucky you! I’m free then, too. Text me the bar at this number?
Absolutely.
And remember to enter me as Jessica, not Erica.
You know, Jessica and Erica aren’t all that different as names.
True. I don’t know that we’re that different as people, either. Though I never bullied anybody that I know of.
Oh, good! That was my biggest concern with Erica.
I know—she’s a bit tough to get a lock on, always walking around, looking like random Jessicas. It’s inconsiderate, really.
Very. Okay, then! I’ll see you Thursday!
Looking forward to it!
Me too, Erica.
Jessica.
Sorry! I’ll get it eventually.