What was I writing about?

 

~~~

 

Here we go.

I’ve got it.

It’s coming …

No.

 

~~~

 

I just …

I had it …

It was right on the tip of my …

No.

 

~~~

 

Dammit.

What’s that word?

It starts with a W.

I know it does.

Or … was it an M?

I get those mixed up sometimes.

One looks the same as the other – it’s just upside down.

It’s like b and d.

One looks the same as the other – it’s just backwards.

Have you ever noticed that?

Letters have patterns.

 

~~~

 

I just noticed something else.

Both “letters” and “patterns” have a double T.

That’s weird.

 

~~~

 

What was I writing about?

 

~~~

 

Can’t quite … remember …

It was right on the tip of my …

 

~~~

 

Hang on.

Was it seagulls?

Yes!  It was seagulls!

Well done!

 

~~~

 

Now …

what were the seagulls doing?

 

~~~

 

Um …

 

~~~

 

Was I writing about …

what it must be like to feel free

when soaring far above the sea?

Or …

what seagulls sound like

when they’re cawing raucously in a pack?

(“Mine!  Mine!  Mine!”)

Or …

how mischievous seagulls behave

when they’re stealing hot chips?

 

~~~

 

I can’t remember.

 

~~~

 

I do remember the time

that mangy seagull with one leg

stole our hot chips at a picnic

and pooped all over my mother’s handbag.

Ha!

Everyone found that hilarious.

Except Mum.

 

~~~

 

This isn’t helping …

 

~~~

 

Come on.

Get your mind on the job!

 

~~~

 

Now …

What was I writing about?

 

~~~

 

…

…

…

 

~~~

 

Hello?

Oh, hi, Jade!

What’s that?

Yes, I’d love to meet you for lunch!

See you at twelve!

Bye!

 

~~~

 

(sigh)

(laptop lid slams shut)