Paula stepped away, holding back a scream when the neighbor who had just moved into the apartment above her entered the shared laundry room, saying softly: “Is there a problem?” (In the Laundry Room, continuing from last week…)
“Oh. Um. Hello! It’s Stefan, isn’t it? Hi. I’m Paula.” Paula nodded her head as if in a business meeting, berating herself silently. He’s creepy!
Stefan ignored her as he glared at the laundry in her hands. “I believe those are my jeans. And Darlene’s nightgown.”
Paula peered down at the incriminating evidence. “I was looking for my laundry. I placed my, um, things in the washing machine late last night.”
“Yes, I know.” Stefan replied. The man was taller than Paula by half a foot and looked down at her with distain, until interest lit his eyes. “I placed your ‘things’ … (Paula flinched when he used his fingers as quote marks) … “in the dryer for you last night. I needed the washing machine.”
Paula stood stock still. Okayyyy, So, where were her undies?
Suddenly she realized that Stefan had mentioned Darlene, who lived in the apartment across from hers. Single woman, Paula’s age, gorgeous, worked in a downtown San Francisco ad agency.
Why was Stefan washing Darlene’s nightie? The nightie that had a bloodstain on it?
Paula began to back out of the laundry room. She didn’t like that light in Stefan’s eyes, and she sure as heck didn’t like it when he suddenly exclaimed, “And your whites are all folded up in my place. Why don’t we go up there and I’ll give them to you.” Stefan’s grin seemed forced. Paula’s heart jolted faster than the agitator of a washing machine.
“That’s okay,” she replied, stepping more quickly, backwards, out of the room. Until she hit a moving soft body and shrieked.
“Paula? Are you okay?”
Darlene stepped in front of Paula, looking as fresh as a newly bloomed rose, wearing a pink velvety robe and fancy bedroom slippers. Her long brunette hair was tousled in that “just out of bed” way, and her large green eyes widened as she viewed the scene between Stefan and Paula.
“Stefan!” Darlene scolded. “Did you put your jeans in with my nightgown and pink top?” She tut tutted as she grabbed her items and surveyed them. “You lout,” she exclaimed, but with a smile and a quick push on his chest.
“I’m sorry, babe,” Stefan said with an abashed expression crossing his rather handsome (Paula now noticed) face.
Darlene addressed Paula: “We had blueberry cake for dessert late last night in, um, bed, and some spilled on my nightgown. Stefan was sweet enough to race down here at midnight to do a load of wash.
Paula’s felt her face turn fifty shades of pink. “Oh,” was all she could manage.
“Of course he put your things in the dryer, and I folded them early this morning. They’re up in Stefan’s room. Wanna come get them?”
What Paula wanted to do was escape her imagination.
And buy her own washer/dryer, stat.
This was fun
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Thanks for enjoying my laundry room romp!
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Oh our imaginations! Blueberry stains indeed! 😂 Another winner, my friend.
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One does rather wonder how blueberries got into the story. Could it be because I made a blueberry cake this week?? 🙄💙
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Cute! Neighbors can provide a lot of story material, can´t they?
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Now that you mention it, I can think of about a dozen DIFFERENT stories I could write just using neighbors…. 🙂
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Yeah, I think it might be wise for Paula to invest in her own washer and dryer. She should probably consider writing mysteries, too. Great story, Pam!
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As always, you have a great one-liner. Yes, perhaps Paula would be a great mystery writer. 🙂 If so, she’ll want to keep on using that laundry room for inspiration and writing material….
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Clever ending [next chapter?] to the story. I especially like your photos that make the story complete. Happy Weekend!
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I think if there was another chapter, it would be R rated and Word Press would ban me for life. 🙂 🙂
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Mmm. Blueberry pie. Where that imagination will go. Stefan and Darlene seem very close. I’m hope he’s not as creepy as Paula thinks.
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I have a feeling that Paula has good instincts, and that Stefan is very, very creepy. :-0 Me? I’ll stick with blueberry pie, but not in bed! 🙂
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Sounds good. With cream?
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A wonderful ending to the story, Pam. I do think she needs to buy her own washer/dryer, if it’s allowed–or move. I still think Stefan and Darlene are a bit creepy. 😏
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Also–I’m craving blueberry cake now.
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I just baked a blueberry cake two days ago . Helped me figure out my plot ending. 🙂
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Love it! 😀
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funny!
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I figure better go with comedy rather than murder these days. We need to lighten things up! Thanks, Beth. xo
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Good call
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Did not “see” that ending coming!
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Music to a writer’s ears (or writing fingers).. ..the readier didn’t know what was comin’. ❤
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Oh this is soo good! What a twist at the end! 🙂 I can identify with the overzealous imagination! LOL!
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Well, from one imaginative to another, CHEERS! 🙂 Thanks for enjoying my “twisted” story.
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Great, fun, ending to the story.
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Phew! Didn’t want the second part to be a disappointment or a downer. Hey, we writers need to celebrate our imaginations, right? Thanks, Mary. xo
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I just said “Eww” out loud when I read that Stefan had her “things” folded in his apartment. But I’m smiling now. Great story!!
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Haha. I like that as a writer, don’t you? We give our readers several emotions, even within one chapter (or in this case, one flash fiction). Many thanks for the “Ewww” and the kudos, Amy.
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I love how misunderstandings can get us into trouble. It’s a good thing Darlene showed up when she did. I enjoyed this! Mona
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Saved by the …. girlfriend. Who’d have thunk? 🙂 Thanks Mona. ❤
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Mystery solved. Even so… hands off my laundry! Lol.
At least no one was murdered, Pam. I enjoy these two part stories. Well done with the cliff-hangers! Happy Writing, my friend. ❤
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I enjoy writing cliff hangers much more than actually hanging on cliffs. I’m a “flat surface” hiker, but I do enjoy the up and down paths in a story. 🙂 Many thanks, Diana.
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Lol. 😀 Happy flat hiking and mountain-climbing with those stories.
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Yep, Paula, your own washer/dryer. Or maybe send your stuff to a wash and fold in your tony SF neighborhood. However, just goes to show you that one shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Blueberry cake in bed? How decadent!
GBT
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Not only is blueberry cake in bed decadent, what about a boyfriend who runs to the laundry room to clean the blueberry mess? Ah, the story unfolds as the underwear folds. 🙂
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What a delightful romp in the laundry room! A suspenseful soap opera with creepy undercurrents. Well done Pam!
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What a great description of this trollop of flash fiction, Brad. “Suspenseful soap opera with creepy undercurrents.” Will you review my next book? You know how to put the words together just right.
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Sure Pam. I’d love to read and review your next book.
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As always, I love your stories as they put a smile on my face. Blueberry cake in bed, yummy 😋!
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Putting a smile on my readers’ faces makes my day, my week, my year, Gerlinde. So glad you enjoyed!
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Okay–I’m definitely not the type to live where there is a communal laundry room–my imagination would run amok if I saw Stefan! As always, you provided a perfect Part2 AND I’m going to make a blueberry cake too–but not to eat in bed—how totally decadent 🙂
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I was a bit nervous how Part 2 would “pan out” (get it, blueberry cake, pan??) 🙂 So glad all’s well that ended well. And hopefully Paula has saved enough to buy her own apartment washer/dryer. Me? I’m going to post my mom’s (and her mom’s) blueberry cake recipe on Friday. Come on by – maybe you’ll want to share YOUR blueberry cake recipe too. xo
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Isn’t it amazing how many of us like our Mom’s blueberry cake recipes? Hubby’s Mom was a fabulous baker as was my Mom so I have two great recipes–and over the years, both have rather evolved into one that is a bit of both Moms–have passed the tradition along by passing the “new” version to my granddaughter as well as the originals from her great-grandmothers. . . Do love family traditions. . . 🙂
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I am glad Friday has arrived, Pam. The rest of the story. 🙂 Someone folding my whites would be a little creepy. That is what you get when you eat blueberry cake in bed, by yourself and with others.🙂 “Fifty shades of pink” made me smile. Fun!
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Erica – originally I titled this 10 shades of red (on my first draft, when Paula found out why there was a stain on Darlene’s lingerie, she turned 10 shades of red). But then I kept thinking “what am I missing? shades….shades…” and it came to me that I should use part of the title of a “well-known” book. Naughty me! 🙂
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Pam, A couple of days ago I sent the links of your two part story to a writing friend. She was wondering whether serializing a short story in a blog would work. I told her how I was looking forward to Friday of this past week, so I could find out the rest of the story. Thank you for the fun! 🙂
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Haha! I love it, Pam!
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Yay! Phew. Wasn’t quite sure where/how Part 2 would end. I have a feeling Paula may be moving soon… 🙂
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Great stuff!
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Cute! I’m glad her suspicions were not confirmed.
When are you going to grace us with a new adult novel, Pam? 🙂
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OH!! You motivate me by asking about my next adult novel, and you shame me at the same time. I have 120 pages written towards it and I’m determined to keep it moving. But first, I’m putting together an anthology of my flash (non) fiction. Soon. Sometime. I hope. 🙂 How about YOU? How’s your next book coming?? I loved your first two.<3
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My third book is finished but not published yet. It’s not related to the other two. I’m wishing this pandemic will be over before it gets published–but I won’t hold my breath!
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No pun intended (ie, not holding your breath). I think we can’t wait for the pandemic to end before we share our stories/books/heart. I think we need to keep on going! (Hint Hint)
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Yes, pun intended. 😉
I keep meaning to work on the sequel but I’m just not feeling motivated enough. . . yet.
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I get it – I’m feeling the same…. B U T – we know the characters are there, waiting for us to tell their story.
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😇🤓👌🏻
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Excellent part two, Pamela!
I uhhh… nope. Remain steadfast in my choice to not have to share a laundry room 😉
They are a rather creepy couple, aren’t they?
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I think Paula and Stefan deserve each other, in creepy fashion. Well, at least she lets him folds her clothes every night…. ;–0 🙂
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Imagination Will play tricks… But loved this second part also Pam… I laughed out loud at this sentence
“Paula’s heart jolted faster than the agitator of a washing machine.” Couldn’t help it…
Brilliant my friend just Brilliant..
Hope all is well in your world dear Pam… Finally getting time to do some serious catching up with friends..
Love and well wishes your way… Mega Hugs ❤ 🙂 💖🙏
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So glad you’re “catching up” with my posts. As always, LOVE having you visit, and your comments help motivate me to keep on writing. Yes, when I felt Paula’s heart jolt I had to think think think – what’s the name of that thing in the middle of the washing machine that moves? Ah, AGITATOR! I was so proud of myself. 🙂 Love and well wishes right back to you. ❤
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🙂 Big smiles.. Loved your Story Pam.. and much love returned ❤
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I would definitely want my own washer and dryer after that! It’s amazing the places our minds go.
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My family gets a bit worried about the “places my mind can go,” but hey, that’s what we writers strive for, right? 🙂 Here’s to having our own washer and dryer. xo
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Oh how our imaginations tend to go wild, especially when we are alone and (feeling) vulnerable. I love these two-part stories, Pam. Well done! Have a happy weekend!
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Many thanks (and so glad) you enjoyed Part I and Part 2. Yes, I think Paula shows us exactly how our imaginations can blow up when we’re alone and vulnerable. And who can blame her? (I admit, my imagination has played many tricks on me too). xo Happy Summer – hope you’re enjoying this hot/humid/thunderstormy weather.
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Uhm, nope! I’m starting to question people who say that summers in MA are beautiful. We’ve never been here this long before and I can confirm – again – that we have zero interest to ever live in New England! 🙂
It’s pouring as we speak. The nice thing is that the temps are cooling off. The coming week should be the best one yet!
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Great story! Nice twist there for the ending! 🙂
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Thank you, Linda. I’ll admit, the twist surprised me just as much. But Robert Frost said, “No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.” 🙂
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Ah! I love your twists and twirls Pam, more effective than an agitator! You could produce a wonderful story out of a laundry room… and that too just with undies and nighties. Perfect! 🙂
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I know, Balroop! Who knew there could be so much suspense in a laundry room full of undies? 🙂 As for me, I’d prefer to keep my undie-washing to myself. Happy July my friend.
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Where the mind can go when given the opportunity! Great story, Pam. I wasn’t sure what Paula was in for. And great choice of the name Stefan – the villain in a soap opera I used to watch (decades ago btw) was Stefano and was he bad!
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Oh, I love hearing that – Stefano was a ‘bad guy’ in a soap, huh? I wasn’t sure where the name “Stefan” came from, but it just sounded right. Another commenter here called this story a “suspenseful soap opera with creepy undercurrents.” Isn’t that great? I think soap operas were/are underrated.
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Hi Pam. I don’t watch them now, but I did tune in after my oldest son was born. Then life got too busy to keep up. My mother watched As the World Turns til that show ended, then she picked up on All My Children and watched that til it ended. I think my grandmother also watched Days of Our Lives (the one I watched), which is the show Stefano came from!
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Breaking my blog “fast” to read and comment here, Pam. The title was too tempting. Apparently, baking blueberry cake is a fabulous story prompt, at least for your ending.
Yes, I read comments too. Ha! ((( )))
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I truly appreciate you breaking your fast to come visit me and Paula and her laundry room story, Marian. If you break fast again next Friday I promise to include my blueberry cake recipe. 🤫🥰
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I think I’d be buying new undies and let those touched by so many strangers go. Then find an apartment with W/D hookups. I would not want to be trapped with any man in a basement laundry room Especially one that sleeps around. ;))) This had a very blushing ending. Great job.
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I can almost see you blushing pink there, Marlene! Yes, I think we need to leave our undies to ourselves! 😁
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Mystery solved… Loved the suspense and surprises. Well done, Pam!
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Thanks Bette. I find books filled with suspense and surprise fun to read. And fun to write!
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Brilliant plot twist, Pam!
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Phew! I had no idea how Paula was going to get out of this one… Nor how I would. Thank goodness for creativity… and blueberry cake. 😎
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I would say so.
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🙏Thanks!
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Handled very well, Warrior Princess…you could still make a great book out of this beginning! Best wishes. dear Pam.
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I am giving you permission to take the beginning of this laundry room story and make it into a frightening tale, Billy Ray. I just didn’t have it in me. 🥴😊
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One never knows when a particular ‘Muse’ will show up… 🙂
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Clever ending! Now I need the recipe for your blueberry cake.
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I’d be happy to share this very special blueberry cake recipe. Check out next Friday’s post! You may like it so much you may even eat a piece in bed! 😏
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That was an interesting twist, Pam. You succeeded in leading me down Paula’s wild imaginary path. 🙂
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I think any of us who call ourselves writers go down that same imaginary path, Carol. It is a blessing… But sometimes a curse. 🤭
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I love this, Pam! And greatly appreciate the non-scary ending!
BTW – I, too, would like the recipe for that blueberry cake! 😀
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I figure we have enough horror in real life right now! Blueberry cake recipe will probably be in next week’s blog post…
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Creepy!!! I don’t want strangers to fold my whites. Darlene took them to Stefan’s room? No way! Paula should get her own washer and dryer for sure.
What a fun story, Pam! The neighbor across the street had a washer delivered this morning. I wonder what kind of story they had. Ummm!
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Hey, you could make up a story about your neighbor’s washer. As long as your neighbor’s name isn’t “Stefan.” 🙂
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Haha, I overheard so many conversations. I just have to turn them into stories. 🤗
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This sort of thing is about why I DID finally buy my own washer-dryer. Great story, Pam!
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Worth the money, buying your own washer/dryer and folding your own undies, for sure. 🙂
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Laughed at the entertaining conclusion to this story.
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I was so glad that it was Paula’s imagination (and blueberry cake) that produced those bloodstains! 🙂 Thanks much for reading and enjoying, Lisa.
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Excellent ending, Pam!
Shared laundry facilities = a great way to meet your new neighbors, but . . .
I’m glad that our laundry “room” (a/k/a closet) is under our roof. 😀
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Who cares the size of the laundry room – as long as it’s yours alone to fold your own undies!!
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Glad this did not have a sinister ending but rather, a humorous one. We all get carried away sometimes with creating scenarios that are way more dramatic than the plain and simple reality. Ha. You kept the tension going throughout. Well done.
No, do not fold my underwear for me thank you. 🙂
Peta
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I didn’t set off to show this in my story, Peta, but that’s exactly right. How many times do we make up scenarios in our head that have nothing to do with reality? Many times for those of us who are “creatives.” 🙂 Okay, I’m off to put the wash in the dryer – in MY own little laundry room, thank the heavens.
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Geez, Paula. Get a grip.
This was fun. Clearly neurotic people should possess their own washing machine and dryer.
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Haha. I’d happily raise my hand about being neurotic – I call it “having a good imagination.” Thus, I have my own washer/dryer. 🙂
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-grin- So much fun!
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Glad you enjoyed. I’ll admit, I got a bit of the giggles when I reached the end of Paula’s story.
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Me too! 😀
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Loved it! That was a twist I didn’t see coming…but very much enjoyed!
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Thanks so much Ann for reading my fun flash fiction. Fortunately, it included NO murders or mayhem. Just some folded whites. 🙂
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LOL….that was very cool the way you changed emotions so quickly. Well done!
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I truly didn’t know what would happen with creepy Stefan. Well, I guess Darlene didn’t think he was too creepy, so all’s well that ends with … clean underwear. 🙂
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Love the story, Pam!😀 you still have me on edge and Paula’s first trip out (or online order) should be for her own washer/dryer! The tension is just a tad bit too much! Hope you’re having a good start to the week! Happy Writing, my friend! ❤️
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I’m so glad my story made you tense! Wait, that came out wrong. I’m glad you felt the tension in my character’s ordeal as she shared laundry space with Stefan and Darlene. I think she found a new place shortly thereafter. 🙂
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The story kept reminding me of the grim and slightly terrifying laundry rooms in Lepizing, underground, mostly dark even with the light on and there were the strangest of sounds ever now and then … oh no, I might be making you tense now!😀😂
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No, this is great. I think YOU should write a “Laundry Rom” story!! xo
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You definitely had me ready as fast as possible to see what would happen next. I’d say a purchase of a washer and dryer are in order.
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I do love to write page-turners, Sue. Probably because I enjoy reading them too. In this case, I’m glad it did not include any murders, just blueberry cake. 🙂
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Glad I have my OWN Laundry room!! LOL
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There are definitly advantages to having our own place to clean our dirty laundry. 🙂
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And air it.
aaaaaaaaahahah
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Haha, Pam, my mind would have gone in exactly the same direction. A most entertaining story.
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A girl needs her own dryer!
Great story, Pam.
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Well done! You had us stringing along until the very end 🙂 Tales from the laundry room!!
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Who knew dirty laundry could be so… exciting? 🙂
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Aha! The plot thickens … and continues. I watched a particularly creepy episode of SVU last night – it just makes this whole story even creepier. Thanks for the willies. LOL. I am ever so much more grateful to not only have a W/D, but of the first time in my life, they’re behind louvered does in my kitchen!!
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I shared a laundry room like this one in the story once, which made me appreciate having my own w/d space even more afterwards. Here’s hoping neither of us gets any blueberry stains. 🙂
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This was fun!!
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🙂 THANK you for visiting my blog and reading some of my posts. Come on over anytime. xo
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Thanks a ton! When you have time check out my blog when you have time!!❤❤
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Yes, I’ve visited several times and enjoy your blog. Laughed at your talent of “sleeping anywhere at any time.” 🙂 I’m glad you’re a reader – so am I. And congrats on being a blogger.
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Thank you so much!! It means a lot to me!!😇😇❣❣
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Laundry? 50 shades of pink? Yup One of my first loads of laundry “the husband” ended up with pink underwear,,, that’s where my mind went.
Wrong.
Now I want someone to serve me blueberry cake while I watch them fold my laundry. Now that’s sexy!
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Smiling and agreeing, Joyce. Nothing more sexy than the idea of eating blueberry pie in bed while someone ELSE is folding your laundry. 🙂
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