UNSTUFFED

by Bill Blume

Andy was looking more raggedy than usual. His stuffing was strewn from the toy box to the door like an isolated snowstorm. His head was deflated and his sewn smile warped into permanent confusion. He’d seen his last playtime. My name’s Bear… Ted E. I was on the case.

I’d gathered the usual suspects. There was Barb, standing amid the scattered remnants of Andy’s white, fluffy insides. Her perfect smile didn’t change to a frown. It never did. I didn’t trust her. She’d been on the prowl ever since her divorce from Kendoll.

Then there was my friend, Winn. I had questions plenty, and all he had to say was, “Think, think, think.” Was he capable of this? A bear of little brain, yes… but everyone knew about his honey habit. His paws looked more sticky than usual and his tummy oddly unrumbly. Someone had paid him off with a smackeral. I was sure of it.

I couldn’t say the same for the dog. Her whimpers from the corner of the kid’s room wouldn’t stop. Her stomach growled even louder. She jumped up, ran to the closed door, spun about in a tight circle, stopping to bark in vain for release. The bitch couldn’t wait any longer and dropped her load. More bits of white fluff hit the floor.

Poor Andy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Blume lives in Richmond, Virginia, where he works as a communications officer for Henrico County Police. He’s currently writing two fantasy novels, including one he’s co-writing with his wife Sheri. He’s also helping organize the 2006 James River Writers Conference. He earned a BA in Journalism from University of South Carolina and has worked as a news producer and bookseller.