Page 8 - January Magazine

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."