thewritersapprentice

[thewritersapprentice]

The Queen just recently learned that the knights of her personal guard had all sworn vows of celibacy as part of their initiation. She's been bored lately and wants to spice things up in the castle, so she decides to secretly play matchmaker between them and her handmaidens and retainers.

[thewritersapprentice]

Mandarin Season

When I was little I hated tangerines, but now, now I love tangerines. I love the colour, that bright and warm orange hue. I love the process, the systematic peeling of the firm skin, the meticulous plucking away of the white threads around the flesh. I love the rubbery juiciness and the full sweet taste.

I told my therapist about my excitement for tangerine season. About my strolling through the market in search of the perfect piece of fruitiness. Each stall has a different species, Mojo, Tango, Satsuma, Minneola, Clementina. I walk past the Satsumas. I don’t like those, yellow, soggy, tasteless, yuk.

I walk from stall to stall. My headphones rest on my head, the words from my favourite podcast combine with the buzz of human activity. The sun shines and I squint my eyes as my vision glides over the treasures that are on offer, until I come across the right tangerines.

"Good morning, could I have ten of those tangerines?"

The market vendor nods. She picks up a brown paper bag and counts out ten tangerines.

"Anything else?"

"No, thank you. That was it."

"Debit card or cash?"

I bring my hand up, "card."

With my fresh fruity riches safely in my bag and a newly acquired energy, I walk on. On the hunt for my next treasure; coffee.