A Gourmet Meal

It’s hopeless. My social security check can’t cover the never-ending price increases for gas, food, medications, rent, utilities, doctor visits, taxes.

I’m so hungry. But I’m too embarrassed to ask neighbors for leftovers, like last month.

My pantry’s empty, except for paper napkins and half bottle of ketchup.

I’m reminded that I once saw a drunk feeding ketchup-soaked paper napkins to a mule as a cruel joke. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the dumb animal gobbled up the whole box, as if it were five-star, world-class, gourmet food.

Wow! The mule was right!

Story by:

Michael A. Kechula

m.kechula@att.net

submitted at 4:48am

4 June 2009

Michael's stories have been published by 108 magazines and 30 anthologies.