He’ll have to go. There’s nothing wrong with him per se, it’s just.
At primary school my group of friends and I gave each other animal nicknames. Mine
was the easy choice: giraffe, because I’m so tall. Always have been and although
puberty gave the others a chance to catch up, no-one ever did.
Recently I’ve started dating someone shorter than me. He doesn’t seem to mind, but
I think I do. I walk in the gutter when he’s on the pavement; stand on the lower step
of the escalator, to be harshly reminded of the difference when we get to the bottom.
There’s the age old “there’s no height difference when you’re lying down” (nudge,
nudge, wink, wink), but unlike ancient Romans who spent the majority of their time
lazing on divans, I’m not sure that’s enough.
‘Colin, we need to talk.’
Laura Besley
Flash Fiction Diary
This piece is semi-autobiographical. I am very tall, one of my nicknames at school was giraffe and I did one try dating a man shorter than me. It didn't work out, but not for those reasons!
I've decided to take part in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again this year. The aim is to write 50,000 words towards a novel, or in my case towards a collection of short stories, within the month of November. That'll be kicking off next Friday. Hopefully I'll still have time to also keep the blog going, but I'm not sure I should make any promises...
Fortunately, you found another giraffe!
ReplyDeleteVery fortunate indeed! :)
DeleteI'm certain the zebra is big enough to handle the break-up. Stay happy, giraffe.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I will, thanks! :)
DeleteGood luck with NaNoWriMo!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll need it :) Are you doing it too?
DeleteI love the line about the escalator! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about doing NaNo too. So I might bug you with emails to make sure you're writing, you big giraffe you...!
You should do it! It's a great motivator. Maybe I'll be bugging you with emails too ;)
DeleteI read this as humourous, but still felt a tinge of sadness too.
ReplyDeleteSmall question: Do giraffes write tall stories? (Groan... Sorry) :)
Groan...! Liked your initial comment - interesting. And someone had to make the tall story joke! ;)
DeleteI can so relate to this one!!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with NaNoWriMo.
People being able to relate to your story is the best compliment ever, so thanks a lot! :)
DeletePoor zebra. I imagine being too short has tormented him as much as being too tall has you.
ReplyDeleteThat's a possibility I hadn't thought of.
DeleteI can completely relate to this one! At least Colin doesn't seem to go on about it incessantly...
ReplyDeleteSee you on NaNoWriMo!
See you on Nanowrimo! :)
DeleteGiraffe your way up NaNo and don't you worry! There are plenty of giraffes around (that being said by a way shorter species).
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of giraffes around and zebras and many others too! :)
DeleteAt least Colin wasn't Justin ;) xxx
ReplyDelete