“Your hand’s all sweaty,” Brian said. He disentangled his hand and wiped it across his t-shirt.
“It’s ninety degrees and eighty-five percent humidity. You try holding hands and not sweating.” Jenna surreptitiously took the opportunity to wipe her own hand against her shorts.
“I saw that.”
She stuck out her tongue at him. “I’m going up the hill.”
“Grass looks pretty slick. I’ll stick with the path.”
She headed up the hill. It wasn’t much of a shortcut, but the path wound around the long way. Enough others had thought the same that the grass was worn to dust. Toward the top, she paused as a dark, shining oval caught her attention.
“What’s up?” Brian was already waiting for her.
“Found a turtle. Hang on, I want to Insta this. Such a cute little guy.”
“Weirdo.”
The turtle on the trail cautiously extended its neck, peering at Jenna, and then opened its mouth. “No!”
Jenna froze, half-bent over the reptile, her phone two feet away. “Brian. The turtle.”
“What about it?” Brian stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“Talked.”
“You’re darn tootin’, I talked.” The turtle glared at Jenna. “I’m trying to lay some eggs here.”
“Oh. Ohhh. Um, okay. I’ll back off. I’m sorry.” Jenna stuffed her phone back in her pocket. “See, I won’t –“
“And I don’t need help getting back to the water. Don’t you dare pick me up!” The turtle turned her back on Jenna and yanked her head into her shell.
“Wasn’t planning on it!” She backed away, hands in the air.
“Three times already today! Three! And four yesterday! Helpful humans! I wish you all to the mud!”
Jenna turned and slid down the dry grass back onto the path to where Brian waited. “Whew.”
Brian looked at her with indulgence in his eyes. “Talked, huh?”
“Back off, humans!” A tiny, indignant voice carried down after her.
Brian looked at her with his mouth agape.
Jenna shrugged. “Told you. Cranky, pregnant, talking turtle.”
This week, Cedar Sanderson prompted me with “The turtle on the trail cautiously extended its neck, peering at you (character), and then opened its mouth to say_________________.” I knew what I wanted to write, but another wildlife-inspired story came pouring out before I could capture the cranky turtle. I’m also glad I didn’t try to mix those two tales. That was a truly terrible idea.
My prompt went to Leigh Kimmel: “A prairie storm, with rolling thunder, ominous clouds, and flickering lightning. And in that flash of light, you see…”
Join the Odd Prompters! It’s both easy and fun.
I like it. A couple of years ago I ran across a river turtle laying her eggs. I’m sure she thought the same thing at me even if I didn’t move her!
Thanks!
Hah! I photographed one.. from a safe distance! I know what snapping turtles can do. That’s what led to the prompt, and this is hilarious because I can absolutely imagine my turtle reacting like this.
Less than a week before, I tried to talk someone out of moving a turtle that looked like it might have been digging to lay some eggs. It was perfect prompt timing – and I had no idea turtles could look so panicked!