This was written for the Two for Tuesday Challenge #22. Prompt: Buried Details.
‘Why is there a cow drowning in my mug?’
It wasn’t drowning, exactly, but it felt as though I had liberated it by getting halfway through my tea. Its pleading ceramic eyes told me it was happy to have finally surfaced.
‘No idea,’ she replied, ‘it was a present. I try not to think too much about it. Maybe she can breathe under hot water?’
‘Not likely,’ I added as I sloshed tea around experimentally. I had to stop; it felt too cruel.
‘We can trade mugs if you’d like.’
‘No,’ I added quickly, holding it close to my chest, ‘I don’t want you to torture her.’
‘Oh, come on Jason, why would I do that?’
‘I’ve seen what you’re like with mice.’
The loud crash of china against wooden floor brought me back to my senses. She wasn’t supposed to know I had bugged her clothes.
Would you like some tea with that? 
michaelalexanderchaney
August 22, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Very clever. Reminds me of a mug I showed my daughter in a novelty shop not long ago. It had a tiny statuette of a bunny wearing a sunhat and a yellow dress on the inside bottom of it. My daughter took one look and whispered, “Wouldn’t she drown in there?” I never thought that this very possibility could be part of the malicious joy of the piece. Your flash has pointed this out to me.
fminuzzi
August 23, 2013 at 4:10 pm
That was similar to my reaction when I first drank tea from that mug, but I was around 20 at the time.
Thank you! Flash fiction is a great place to experiment with things like these.
jennifermzeiger
August 27, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Love this flash fiction. I would totally want to save the poor cow.
Just a heads up, Friday I’m nominating you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers award. You’ve been wonderfully supportive to me. It’s just my way of saying thanks=)
fminuzzi
August 29, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Thanks a lot! I always enjoy stopping by and reading your stories (and at three times a week, there’s plenty to read)
jennifermzeiger
August 29, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Keeps the creative thoughts flowing if I know there’s a deadline/goal=) My way of spurring my motivation. Thanks for reading my stories. I always love the interaction and feedback.