5 Minute Fiction: Charlie

Photo: © Milous | Depositphotos.com

Genre: Contemporary

Note: A good friend of mine really enjoyed this story when he first read it shortly after I had written it, probably sometime in 2015. That surprised me a little because I saw it as a simple, fun, light-hearted story about a man and his goldfish. But that happens sometimes when you put a piece of writing out into the world--people react to it in ways you couldn't predict. 

My friend gets the dedication for this one. :)

Dedicated To: JJ

Charlie was dead.

He floated at the top of his little bowl filled with neon gravel and the seashell house he loved, but I knew he had lived a long and prosperous carnival-won goldfish life. We had been pals—a man and his goldfish.

I thought back to the beginning.

It was overcast that day, a little gloomy out, a little cool, the end of summer being pronounced, which is why I went to the carnival that night.

I loved the people watching and the lights and sounds, especially alone, but I digress.

As I stood by the booth with dozens of tiny fish bowls in the middle, with three ping pong balls in my hands, I had no hope of winning.

The first ball bounced high off the rim of the bowl it hit, the second one, not quite as high, but a miss nonetheless, but the third ball... Splash. Right into the colored water.

I picked Charlie out of the goldfish tank and felt an odd surge of pride as the carnie put him into a plastic bag filled with water. Both because I had won but also for the life that was now entrusted to me.

I decided to head home right away.

Well, right away after purchasing some fried Oreos, but I ate them as I walked out.

With a few oreo crumbs still at the corners of my mouth, I delicately placed Charlie in the largest cup holder in the center console of my car.

He looked happy.

I sped home (not too fast, though), and as I pulled into my assigned parking space, I realized something.

I didn't have a fish bowl.

Nor any fish equipment, really.

I looked at Charlie in the drink holder, and I had an idea.

Turning the car off, I grabbed Charlie's bag and headed toward the front door of my building. As we ascended the two flights of stairs up to my condo, I watched as Charlie looked around at his new home, wide-eyed and full of wonder, but he needed to get out of this bag.

Upon entering my home, I flipped the light switch so that Charlie and I could see where we were going, and I imagined the excitement he must feel at being one of the chosen ones. One of the select few (probably) who had found a home that night, away from the lights, sounds, and carnies. I walked directly to the kitchen sink.

Without putting Charlie down, I plugged the drain and turned the faucet on to fill the sink with cool water. When there was enough, I placed Charlie's bag in the sink, and I watched as it went horizontal, giving him the illusion of space. He swam from one end to the other.

I looked at my watch and thought I could make it to the pet store before closing.

I left the light on for Charlie as I went back out of my condo and toward my car. This time really speeding to the pet store.

With fourteen minutes remaining before closing, I parked my car in the lot. I jogged inside, wanting enough time to pick out the perfect bowl and other supplies.

In the fish aisle, I walked by tanks of tropical fish, each more exotic than the last. Despite their beautiful colors and elegant bodies, I was glad for my simple goldfish.

Just like the crackers, only alive.

Ideally, I wanted a traditional-looking goldfish bowl, not anything fancy or high-tech. Charlie would love it.

Perusing the shelves of aquariums, I spotted the perfect one, thinking it would give Charlie enough room to swim and also look good on my kitchen counter.

Off the top of my head, I couldn't think of any other place to house it, though maybe another spot would come to me later, but for now, the kitchen counter was good enough.

I left the bowl on the shelf to get the other supplies first, so I wouldn't have to carry it throughout the store.

I picked up some gravel - neon green and blue, a seashell house, some fish food, those little drops you add to tap water to make it suitable for fish, and a net - for when I would need to clean his bowl.

Pausing with my supplies, I ran through a mental list of other things I might need but couldn't think of anything else. A store employee scowled at me, and I figured I'd better grab the bowl and get out of there, both for the employees' sake and for Charlie's.

Back home again, I called out to Charlie as I walked in, exclaiming that I had bought him a fantastic new home and something to eat. He swam excitedly at my presence.

I rinsed off the gravel and placed it in the bowl, then filled it with water from my tap and added those drops.

I rinsed off the seashell house for good measure as well, though I wasn't sure I needed to, and added that in, pushing it down into the gravel. Then I stepped back and admired Charlie's new home.

"This is it, Charlie. You're moving," I said, and he swam a few laps in his bag.

I found a pair of scissors in one of the kitchen drawers and grabbed Charlie's bag out of the sink.

A sense of anticipation gripped me as I gingerly placed the bag into his new home and cut the top where there was only air.

As the air left the bag, the water poured out, and finally, Charlie swam into his new home for the first time.

I pulled the empty bag out and watched as Charlie examined his seashell house and swam into it.

I was one delighted fish guardian.

The next three weeks passed blissfully, with Charlie swimming and hanging out in his seashell house and me observing his peace and serenity.

Then tonight, I found him like this. Already on his way to goldfish heaven.

I hoped there really was a bright, white light.

With a little glowing seashell house at the end.

Amanda Linehan is a multi-genre fiction writer and indie author. She has published 13 titles since 2012 and has been read in 113 countries. She also loves bubbly water. If you enjoyed this story you can "buy her a club soda" on her Ko-fi page by clicking the button below. All support is voluntary and appreciated. :)