July 26 Story: The Color

This week, the only prompt I set myself was to write something cheerful, since the ones I have been writing lately have been rather grim. This one is so short, I'm not even sure it deserves to be called a story. Maybe the epithets 'sketch' or 'scene' would be more fitting. In any case, it is inspired by the story The Open Window by Saki (Hector Hugo Munro).

“Completely colorblind?”
“Mm-hm – since birth.”
“My son is, too.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but he's so self-conscious! I'm so sorry, I wouldn't have – you know – I just had no idea...”
“No, not at all, ma'am. I'm just glad others can enjoy it.”
“Well, like I say, it's a lovely color.”
“Thank you. Have a good day, ma'am.”
“Alright, take care, dear.”
“Hello, sir. Will this be all today?”
“Yes.”
“Seven ninety-five is your total... okay... here's your change, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good day.”
“Good day – I... I just have to tell you, that's a great color.”
“Oh...” the woman behind the counter smiles, fingering her hair. The golden-red curls fall to the middle of her back. “I get it from my father's side... though,” she shakes her head. “He'd be ashamed if he saw I wore it like this.”
The old man, nodding, steps away from the counter. Then, as if finally absorbing what she said, looks back at her questioningly.
“People in his culture usually keep their hair very short...” she explains. “If he could see me now, he'd be terrified that it would get singed.”
“Singed?” An idea is starting to glow in his gray eyes. A wild idea. The color had reminded him of it, but – could she really be...? “What culture is this, if you don't mind me asking?”

Read the rest.