Writing Prompt 8: Red Sofa
But Old Habits Die Hard
Adult men in masks and tight suits. Sometimes adult women too. No one sits on the red sofa, only the animation plays on in the background with the caption: BUT OLD HABITS DIE HARD.
What does it mean? What do you think? Can you find a story here?
"Luke...Luke! Mate! Come in, come in." Stephen pulled Luke into a handshake and clapped his hand on his shoulder. "Looking good, looking good," he said.
Luke shifted under Stephen's gaze. He walked a little further into the apartment. Ahead of him a crowd of supergirls, supermen, superboys, superwomen gathered, sweeping capes over their shoulders and trying on each other's masks.
"It's just an excuse," said Janine coming up to Luke. "To get dressed up in something tight. The boys that is."
"Janine," said Luke. "I haven't seen you in a while. Not since you threw my ring back in my face."
"MY ring, Luke. MY ring. You gave it to me remember? Our engagement?"
"Oh yes. Our engagement."
Luke turned and stepped away from his ex-fiancee. Janine grabbed his arm.
"I do miss you," she said. "Us." Her voice softened between them.
"Nope. Not interested," said Luke turning his head towards the crowd. He pulled away from her grip. His heart had been broken by her once before.
"Luke," she said calling after him. "I still love you."
A couple of heads turned towards them. Luke made a bee-line for the makeshift bar.
"Nice place you've got here," he said to Stephen.
"Drink? I can make you something strong."
"A beer. Just a beer, thanks." Luke lifted the edge of his mask to scratch an itch just under his eye. "I didn't know she'd be here," he said.
"Neither did I," said Stephen, handing Luke his drink. "Neither did I."
Story first posted February 2020 // Photo: Tanya Clarke - Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle 2018
