Best-Friend-Teddy

copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, story prompt

Best-Friend-Teddy

I should probably just go ahead and die. But, somehow, I still feel like living.

Most citizens died long ago in the Terrible Event. The survivors fled. Now it’s just me: bad-back-white-haired-half-blind me.

Me, and Teddy: that missing-eye-singed-fur-depleted-stuffing bear I found while scavenging.

Teddy sits across from me at dinner, and I tell him about my day.

It’s not weird. Unless he ever talks back.

One day I’m feeling pretty low, like maybe the city population should finally be zero.

“You gonna finish that?” Teddy says, eyeing my plate.

“Paw’s off!” I growl, then start laughing.

Good old smart-mouth-always-winking-best-friend Teddy.

34 Comments Add yours

  1. Will's avatar Will says:

    Teddy sounds more interesting than Wilson the volley ball. Great story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yeah, it’s good Castaway vibes with the extreme solitude. Luckily Wilson never talked back. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Castaway…I so remember that…how upsetting it was when he swam away, so to apeak.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Prior...'s avatar Prior... says:

    I liked those long adjective descriptions and this also reminded me a little of Will Smith’s movie, “I am Legend… nice fiction

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, I was thinking of something like I am Legend, although it could probably fit in a lot of similar situations. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Prior...'s avatar Prior... says:

        Yes – and it had its own flair aside from the Will Smith drama 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Violet Lentz's avatar Violet Lentz says:

    I think Teddy sounds like wonderful company 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hopefully. It would probably be better than just being alone all the time.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. bad-back-white-haired-half-blind me. awe.

    I had a teddy hear just like him also falling apart. Was heartbroken after leaving him on the Staten Island ferry.

    I read that Prince Charles as old as he is, still has his he tucks into bed every night. Wonder if it’s truly true. I so liked this David. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had a stuffed rabbit named Bunny. He’s enjoying retirement at my parents’ house now. He got a lot of love during my childhood.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Awe, I’ll bet. They all do. They’re a kid’s first best friend after all.

        Like

  5. The geniality of the ending is what makes this so effectively tragic

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Neil. I agree. Thanks for reading it.

      Like

  6. Dear David,

    What a fun Teddy-companion-in-the-absemce-of-human-company. Love it.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Rochelle. Glad you liked it.

      Like

  7. Sandra's avatar Sandra says:

    Well done on introducing a feel-good factor into a doomsday scenario. Impressive.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Sandra. I like mixing different moods in stories. FF is great for experimentation, if nothing else.

      Like

  8. plaridel's avatar plaridel says:

    he’s lucky to have his company indeed. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Dale's avatar Dale says:

    If you are still feel like living because you’re not ready to die, and there seems to be no other survivors, why not have a talking teddy for company?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, better than nothing. Kind of like Wilson in Castaway. I think I’d probably do something like this in a similar situation, although I’d prefer it didn’t talk back. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar Dale says:

        Right! I also would prefer it not talk back..jeez Louise…

        Liked by 1 person

  10. elmowrites's avatar elmowrites says:

    Honestly, probably gets better company from the teddy than some humans I know!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yeah, maybe. Hopefully Teddy will stay supportive and not get creepy 🙂

      Like

  11. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    A great balance between absurdity and melancholy, and the humour in the bleakness makes it feel both surreal and grounded – good read 🙌

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. GHLearner's avatar GHLearner says:

    And now Teddy talks back and things are weird. But not as bad as they would be without Teddy. A great dystopian story. It’s amazing where comfort can be found.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. yeah, it’s both nice that he gets comfort from him but bad it’s come to that.

      Like

  13. gc1963's avatar gc1963 says:

    Somehow the story is sad and cute at the same time. Kudos to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! Yes, that was kind of what I was going for, cute and heartwarming on the surface but sad and distressing underneath. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. An enjoyable read.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Right this way, Dr. Freud. It’s really quite ‘interesting’.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. haha, yeah, I think he could do with some therapy if there was anyone left to give it.

      Liked by 1 person

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