Small Talk

For Three Word Wednesday, prompt words backfire, embarrass, taste. Also submitted to dVerse OpenLinkNight.

Small Talk

The room was decked

with holiday cheer, full

of strangers sipping drinks

and tasting tiny hors d’oeuvres.

Having never learned the art

of mingling I stood in a darkened

corner, but he found

me anyway.

 “So, what’s your

career path?” He leaned

in close, talking over the

pounding backfire

of dance music.

“I’m on my way

toward death,” I said.

He backed away, embarrassed.

Or frightened. No one ever laughs

at my party jokes.