Superman Can’t Find a Phone Booth has challenged me to write a story using this photo as a prompt.
Here’s what my demented imagination conjured:
The Shameful Secret
Carl couldn’t confess to his dear sweet mother. Nor could he tell his father or his sister or anyone in his family. And he most certainly couldn’t tell his best friend, Dr. Clarabelle Litchfield.
“Now Carl,” whispered the angel assigned to comfort him as she wrapped her wings around him. “God is with you. God loves you.”
“But how could he possibly forgive me?” Carl said aloud.
“What honey?” Clarabelle, who could not hear angels, asked as she leaked oil onto the driveway. “There’s a giant moth wrapped around your shoulders. Should I get out the BlackFlag?”
“She’s my guardian angel.”
“Now dear, I can clearly see, she’s no angel. But we’ll get to that delusion later. Now, why don’t you tell me what has you in such a state. I promise I won’t judge you.”
Carl raised his eyes to her face. She seemed sincere but no, he couldn’t tell her.
“Are you gay?”
“No!”
“It’s alright if you are. In fact there are some nice guys at -”
“No. I am not. Oh god, how could this have happened?”
“Did you tell that moth or guardian angel thing?”
“No, but she knows.”
Clarabelle addressed the angel. “Moth, I implore you to tell me what the problem is so that I can help my friend. He’s clearly distraught and I am a licensed psychoanalyst.”
The angel rose to her full height, spread her ten foot wings and, then enfolding the two of them, whispered Carl’s shameful secret.
“NOOOOOOO!” Clarabelle cried in disgust. “You can’t be addicted to that brain dead television show! It’s idiotic and so phony. What’s happened to your brain?”
The angel’s eyes turned into those of an irate tigress. “That’s my favorite show too, you snobby bitch!”
Dr. Annabelle Litchfield soon found herself in a puddle on the parking lot.
[I suppose there’s a moral to this story but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.]
Saying nothing in particular 
Me either , great post 💜
Thank you Willow. I generally don’t have time to participate in the writing prompts but our weather is keeping us all inside!
Well I think you should when you can 💜
That does it! I’m canceling my appointment with Dr. Litchfield for tomorrow. I have an acute fear of … moths—especially the giant ones masquerading as guardian angels. Lord knows I can’t afford a relapse—now that Dr. Litchfield is on the moths … I mean, angels bad side. 😀
Good idea! She can’t tell moths from angels and she apparently doesn’t like reality shows!
That’s two strikes, doc. Hope she’s not one who dislikes baseball too—might prove disastrous for her. 😀
Nicely done!
Thanks Dan.
I tagged you in this challenge as well, Dan
I know. I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to join the fun.
Ok. Just making sure you know you were invited
I laughed really hard when she asked if she should get out the Black Flag. We’re thinking it’s some angelic presence, and it’s a giant moth. Really funny lines, Jan. Thanks for this funny story today.
Thanks Jet – I think henceforth Carl will keep his shameful secret to himself!
The moral is laugh when you can. I liked this.
Always a good moral!
Well played. You took that in a very unique direction
I’m a huge fan of O’Henry. Always keep them guessing.
It was great
I thought it was charming. We all fall short, eh? Sometimes we just wanna stare and mouth breathe. Or, at least I do 😉
Thank you Joey!
Laughter cures. There’s your moral.
It sure does. Thanks.
Welcome.
Loved it! Works without the photo prompt but also fits perfectly 😁
Thank you Cynthia!
I don’t watch any shows, but still like the ending 🙂 I think there is plenty of moral to the story.
I rarely watch any of the so called reality shows but I know people who do. And I know people who look down upon those shows and I think we all have our guilty little pleasures….
Lovely story. I have a fear of moths….