Golden Box Book Publishing January Online Magazine | Page 8

The Wheels of the Gossip Mill
A short story by Erika M Szabo
People are so quick to assume and judge without checking
the facts. Sometimes it turns out to be funny, but other times
the quick judgment and gossip could cause havoc and
heartache.
The old neighbor across the street approached my friend's
husband shortly after they moved to their new home. "I just
want to warn you that your wife is having an affair."
"Oh?" he said. "What makes you say that?"
"Because that young guy you know with the beard and
long hair comes over quite a lot when you're not home, and
he stays for hours. And yesterday, a black fella came with
him, too."
"I know," my friend’s husband replied. "He's been helping
my wife painting the nursery, and the black fella is his
longtime boyfriend."
The old man's jaw fell. "You mean he's gay?"
"Yes, he came out long ago, when he was a teenager."