Microfiction
Just Like New
Maggie's business, “Pan Revival,” had become a local sensation. Customers flocked to her with their old, battered baking sheets and muffin tins, hoping for a miracle. Maggie, bless her, delivered on her incredible promise, "just like new!" Some customers were just eco-conscious, unwilling to send yet more items to landfill. Others were deeply sentimental, wanting to hang on to cookware from their mothers or grandparents. Each morning, Maggie would unlock the door to her shop, making sure the counter was well-stocked with Bicarbonate of soda (her "secret, miracle ingredient"). She’d greet her customers with a warm, sincere smile. They’d hand over their tarnished, grubby-looking, bits-burnt-on pans, and she’d assure them that in a few days, they’d be as good as new. What her customers didn’t know was this: instead of painstakingly restoring each one, she replaced them with brand new ones. She had a supplier who provided her with high-quality, identical replacements at a fraction of the cost. She’d always dreamed of being the kind of clever person who could upcycle and restore old, worn out furniture. Kitchenware had seemed like a good place to start, requiring less storage space. After several failed attempts at actually refurbishing the pans, she realized it was much easier (and more efficient, at least from her point of view, if not for the planet as a whole) to just replace them. "This belonged to my grandmother,” one woman said, in a voice tinged with nostalgia. “I used to bake with her every Sunday.” Maggie tooke the tin with an air of tenderness,, even reverence. “I’ll take good care of it,” she promised solemnly. Once the customer was gone, she found a suitable replacement from her stock, and then, quite unceremoniously, threw the beloved tin in the bin. Two days later, the customer returned, eyes alight at the sight of the precious memory restored. Perhaps this (actually brand spanking new) muffin tin was all they had left of their dear old Gran. “It’s perfect,” she said, tears welling up. “Just like I remember.” Maggie smiled. “I’m so glad you're pleased with the result." As the latest satisfied customer left, Maggie thought about the boxes of Betty Crocker she'd got in the pantry, and considered opening a bakery.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
The Old Soldier. Top Story - September 2024.
Sheena headed to the archives to research a discovery she'd made while constructing her family tree. An ancestor; a soldier. Accolades for bravery given but he'd mysteriously disappeared with no record of him anywhere.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
Skully
Who is Skully? Skully is a leaf person who can easily disappear into his surroundings. One day Skully is out walking about in his usual way in a very svelte way through the park when he saw something that was very different from what he normally sees in the park and he wants it, but he sees that it belongs to a man who will go unknown for he is not important except for his hat of bright red. Scully wants a pinch of red for some color.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Fiction
