By David Daniel
She always hated them. The eight legs and hairy bodies, the way they move. Everything about spiders repelled her.
Aversion therapy worked to where she grew to like them. She’d entertain friends by letting a tarantula crawl on her arm while they watched in fascinated horror. It gave her confidence, poise.
She tells me all this as we sit at the bar, strangers just meeting. She’s damned attractive in her way. At last call I make my move.
Her apartment is dark as I follow her in. Large hazy shapes hang in the dim room. I hear the door lock click.
really enjoyed this
Awesome!
Thanks, Jacqueline!
Thank you, Davena.
Great stuff
Thank you, Declan.
Yikes! I don’t care for spiders and this made my skin crawl! Creepy.
I know, what is it about spiders? I like them but they creep me out, too.
I almost didn’t click on the story. Halloween is just around the corner and your title immediately brought images of the large spider in my bag two days ago. But, as any good storyteller, you trapped me in your web as she got over her anxiety. Neat, I thought. But, oh the horror of a door shut. Well done spider!
Thank you, Karisa!
This is amazing!!
Babyruth . . . thank you!
Too good to hold on to til Halloween. Forgot how much I love your stuff, Dave. I got to share this one with friends. Don
Hey, Don, I appreciate the good word.
Makes me want to, almost, stop writing.
Byron, glad you said “almost” !
Fantastic – very effectively written. And in a humorous way, you’ve captured some essence of the dating experience. cheers
“The essence of the dating experience” — wow. Thank you. 🙂
Great story. I love the irony inherent in the line, “At last call I made my move.”
Jay-Dog! Thanks, man.
If the limit was 103 words, the last two might be “Oh, s#!t”.
Hey, time for you to send off another story!
Hummm… Do tarantulas and black widows share the same appetizers? Great story.
Good question. A little late night nosh, eh?
Wonderful short short story!
Thanks for the good words, Dan.
I respect spiders—and the author. Tightly woven tale!
Genuinely creepy.
Yikes!