June

The Keep Writing Challenge for April 30, 2020 was to write a 300-word (exactly) short story on "June." This  quote from  Bernard Williams gave me an idea.  

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."  

June Boasts

Novie glanced at June, “Yes, my days are short and often rainy, but actually my weather diversity is one of my greatest appeals. Kids love that. They sometimes get to play outside in the sunshine without sweaters, and they don’t have to come inside while it’s still daylight to do their homework.  They have time to do inside chores after it’s dark. And they MIGHT get a day off school when I whip up a fluffy snow.  And they always get days out of school for a long Thanksgiving weekend. Hey, what’s not to love?”

June tried to conceal her disdain as she pressed her lips into a smile. “Oh, that’s true, of course. I never get to offer snow to the children like that.”

 Of course,” she added, “they don’t NEED days off during the carefree weeks of my month!”

Novie, sensing that she’d ruffled June’s feathers with her boasts, tried to placate her friend, “Oh, yes, June, I certainly understand your appeal even though you can’t boast a single holiday or significant weather surprise. Tell me…”

“Oh don’t you condescend to me, you arrogant month!” June interjected. “Snow and Thanksgiving are great gifts indeed, but rainy days in November suck, my friend. Can the kids go out and play and splash in YOUR cold rain? NO!  In a JUNE rain, children put on bathing suits and splash and skip and cool off. They don’t have to scurry inside, bundle up, and gaze out a window!”

“And, my dear friend, top this, if you can!  My sunny days and starry nights are perfect for knowing and loving others – picnics in the park, family road trips, walks in the woods, strolls on the beach, standing arm-in-arm above green mountain vistas! Whispering sweet nothings, planning futures! Why, I practically invented ROMANCE!