by Stephen D. Gibson

They say, while filming in the wilds of Yellowstone, Fred Astaire calmed a wild bear by dancing, relaxing it with the sound of his taps. They say, when the second bear appeared, Ginger Rogers got involved, lifting her skirts slightly. They danced on hardwood painted like a patio, while the bears swayed, first in sunshine and then in moonlight.

My grandfather would tell this story, stone cold sober. He had been a Teamster and drove sets, kitchens, jails, city sidewalks, into every corner of the country.

But, of course, it was not exactly true. The animals were wolves, not bears.

Stephen D. Gibson’s short fiction has appeared in The Citron Review, Vestal Review, 100 Word Story, Wigleaf, and Fractured Lit. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and for Best Microfiction. More can be found at stephendgibson.com.