Lights glimmered, undulating with the slap and slip of the waves. The early morning air was still and cool. And he saw, saw the whole thing.
“I know where it’s gone,” he shouted.
“Where? What?” she asked.
“Half the universe is missing. Dark matter–it’s there, in the mirror world.” He pointed at the reflection.
A pigeon looked up, shook its head, and took lazy flight, feathers rustling like a ladies’ fan.
“Actually,” she said, “more like 85% of the universe.”
His shoulders slumped. “Bugger! I thought I’d cracked the problem.”
“Tea?” she suggested.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Was he smoking? Something in the tea? 😀
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He’s just a little fey
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She sounds as though this sort of revelation is nothing new. It’s good to have a soul-mate like this.
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She’s used to his little ways
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Tea is the answer to almost everything.
But not where the missing chunk of the universe might be.
PS I’m glad I’m not the only one who has moments like these.
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I suspect dark matter is tea leaves and odd socks
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There’s a lot more that is yet to meet our eye. Tea should help stir things up 🙂
Enjoy 2020!
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She’s hoping the tea will quiet things down
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Tea might not help. but it can’t hurt! Good one.
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Thanks, Joshua. I’m not sure about the tea. Can’t stand the stuff, myself
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How annoying when you think you’ve got a problem solved, but alas, back to the drawing board!
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Life’s a bit like that
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Dear Neil,
Earl Grey. Hot. Doesn’t solve the universe’s problem but helps them lessen for a bit. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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I know how he feels. What is seen in space through a powerful telescope can be millions of years old. Those distance planets may no longer exist in real time.
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I think we’ve all been him at least once
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I love how these two are part of a team – it just feels like she is there to bring him back to earth when needed…
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He’d be lost without her
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He would!
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Maybe the other 35% went into another world? Both could be right 😉
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He might come to that conclusion. But she knows there’s only one universe
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I think that tea is the right thing to bring him right back to earth again.
But at least it is black tea I hope.
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The English NEVER drink tea without milk
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Very pretty writing, Neil. I particularly enjoyed the pigeon’s unspoken comment “A pigeon looked up, shook its head, and took lazy flight, feathers rustling like a ladies’ fan.”
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Thanks, Penny. I was pleased with the pigeon
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Another of his great universal theories shot down. Still, a nice cuppa makes everything better.
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Yes, it’s a GUT thing
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Even the bird knows your man’s barking up the wrong tree. I loved the fanlike feathers.
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Thanks so much, Jilly. Pigeons are very wise
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It’s just like her to burst his bubble.
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She keeps him grounded
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I think the pigeon has him figured out, lol!
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The pigeon definitely. She’s still working on it
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Tea solves most problems if administered with love.
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A nice cup of tea, of course
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She sounds like she’s heard it all before! Not much a cup of tea can’t solve though!
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This one is a new one on her, but she gets the general drift
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He’s going to need a couple of biscuits too methinks!
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That would be greedy. He really only needs someone to listen
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I like the mirror world. He certainly is married to the right person. Nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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Bahaha! Love it. I want what he’s having 🤣
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I’ll send the neurosurgeons round immediately
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If the pigeon isn’t bothered by the mirror world. why should she be. Mirror tea seems to taste just as well. Fun and surrealistic.
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Mirror tea tastes almost exactly, but not quite, totally unlike gin and tonic
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Another far fetched theory quashed by the offer of tea. funny and brilliantly done
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Thanks so much
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His imagination and yours are outstanding!😊
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Thanks so much
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A wonderfully entertaining story Neil. I’d like to be friends with those two.
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If you have tea, they may invite you
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Tea is always my response to something I don’t understand. In fact, it’s always my response to anything. Too early in the morning for that kind of thing, is what she’s thinking.
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I think your speculation is absolutely right, Siobhan
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LOL
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Brilliant character illumination.
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Thanks so much, Eugenia
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