Alfred & Elspeth: Flash Fiction by Katie Schlieper

“The red jewel glowed brilliantly in the waving wind, her hands were like snakes – like serpeants! Dancing! She was like Cleopatra! Like Medusa! She was a snake charmer, the way she moved – ” Alfred slapped his hand on the railing of the ship for emphasis.

“Yes father,” said Elspeth.

“I bought her that ring you know, bought it from my own wages back in the days when fifty bucks was a real sum of money you know.  Slipped in on her finger right in the middle of the Grand Bazaar and then the shopkeeper – Turkish fellow of course, very dark, drank coffee out of his tiny cups all the meantime giving my girl the eye – wouldn’t budge on the price till I nearly walked away.  Don’t even listen to the first three prices they quote you because its thievery through and through,” Alfred poked his finger in the plump flesh of his daughter’s left arm.  “I told you that, I know I told you that.”

Elspeth nodded, “Yes father,  you told me.”

“I know, I know, I know I told you…” he patted the railing with his hands twice in quick succession, “but I’m telling you again.  Beautiful girl, she was a beautiful girl. Dark as a gypsy and I know I’m not supposed to say it but she was and jade eyes that could cut you…”  Alfred’s hands trailed softly up and down the railing. “Beautiful girl.”

Elspeth glanced back at the fast receding shoreline of Rhodes, “Did you stay in touch with her?” she asked.

Alfred blinked “Of course not. Of course not. Once I got home you know I went to your mother and I said Edith I’ve done what I’ve done and yes I’ve seen some women and I’m sorry for it but I’m ready to marry you and you’re the girl for me and that’s the end of the story.”

“Mother remembered it slightly differently,” Elspeth said.

“Well that may be but I know what I know and I was always faithful to your mother. Always.”

“I know,” Elspeth sighed.

“Anyway, once my contract was up I left the Gulf and I never came back.”

“You must have wondered what happened to her,” Elspeth ventured.

“I said I left and never came back,” Alfred said, “don’t go putting words into my mouth.”

Elspeth sighed and looked away, “Well you were the one that mentioned her.”

“I was just – ” Alfred let out a put upon sigh. “Oh never mind.  I can’t ever say anything, I know that.  Never. Just keep my mouth shut so I don’t hurt your feelings.  God forbid I share a nice memory with my only daughter.  Isn’t that the point of this whole thing anyway?”

Elspeth gripped the railing of the boat, watching the water churn against the sides of the ship.  She took three deep breaths in and out as the book had instructed her too. “Calm seas today.”

Alfred did not reply.

“Mother would have been in the cabin throwing up by now,” she continued.

“Yes, she never did like boats,” Alfred said, “Me I always liked being on the water. Always liked being on the way someplace.  Liked feeling the wind in the hair but not Edith.  No, no.  She liked being where she was.”

“Well we’re on our way to Mykonos now, we should be there in time for the sunset.” Elspeth gestured toward the water.

“Yes. Mykonos.  Of course. Myk—Greece. Yes.  We haven’t been there yet, have we?” Alfred asked.

Elspeth turned to her father. His blue grey eyes had clouded over. “Not yet, father, no. Not yet.”

Alfred nodded, “Right.  Of course, no of course we were in Rhodes and then before that we were in…Athens.  Of course.  Parthenon.  I just…it slipped my mind there for a second. Great city, Athens.  You know I remember buying a round of ouzo for a whole team of guys from Shell who of course were working in the Saudi fields same time as I was and we’d all come for a holiday.  It was two women for every man in that place and everybody drinking and carrying on. 

Bar owner pulled out a bottle from way back in the cabinet and said it was his special stuff, real top drawer.  Well we drank that bottle dry and I swear I can’t remember…” Alfred trailed off, his eyes on the middle distance, “…I can’t remember what happened after that,” Alfred finished. He chuckled, “Great city.  It was a great time.”

Elspeth nodded, “I know it was.”

Alfred clapped his hands together briskly and turned towards the doors to interior cabin, “Mykonos by sunset, eh?  Well I better freshen up.  Don’t want anyone at dinner to say Alfred Tuttle has lost a step.”

Elspeth smiled, “Of course not father.”

“I’ll see you at sunset pidgeon,” he said, pinching Elspeth on the shoulder, “get some sun.  Pretty girls should get sun.”  He turned and walked inside.

 Elspeth stayed at the railing, watching the ship glide through the water on the calm and endless sea.