WRITING COMPETITION | FLASH FICTION | ROMANTIC COMEDY

Dolly’s Doggy Dominion of Doom

My submission to the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge 2023

Photo by Natalie Parham on Unsplash; edited by the author

I sigh audibly when I read the sign. Who comes up with a name like ‘Dolly’s Doggy Dominion’? Why did Cynthia — that’s my significant other — insist that I go here? Don’t I have a job too?

You might wonder why I came here in the first place. I love her too much. Whatever this place throws at me, I’ll deal with it for her. Then, I feel like changing my mind when I hear the dreadful breach of the peace that must be Dolly’s voice.

“Who’s a good doggy?!”

The squealing noise is loud enough to scare off the sirens from Greek mythology. I hesitate and rethink my course of action before entering the lobby. I want to turn tail and run, but I’d do anything for Cynthia.

Another sigh later, I enter the lobby just in time to regret it — a human with a blonde bubble perm hovers over a maniacally excited Yorkshire terrier. Where normal humans have lips, this face features a silicon-filled life raft framed by wrinkled skin and a whiff of a lady’s beard. I want to roll my eyes when I see that pathetically wagging tail — the dog’s, not Dolly’s.