The Frozen Skunk

by Nathalie De Los Santos

A dead squirrel rattled in a cardboard box as Lucy pushed open the creaky door of the thrift shop. The musty scent of old fabric and worn leather enveloped her, mingling with the faint aroma of polished wood. Taxidermied, Colin would have corrected her with that smug smile of his. The box cradled remnants of their life together: the stiff squirrel with its unnervingly lifelike pose, purple plates, and bowls they'd set aside for romantic dinners, and a well-worn leather backpack alongside a frayed red blanket from their travels. Colin, ever the eccentric taxidermist, had left behind some of his tools: ear openers, vacuum bags, and his serrated fleshing knife—among other devices that had always sent a shiver down her spine. She'd told him to pick up his tools, insisting it would be the last time she'd have to see him.

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as Lucy approached the cashier's counter, her footsteps muffled by the threadbare rug stretching across the linoleum floor. She set the box down with a soft thud. The cashier, a woman with a bleached-out perm and glasses perched low on her nose, peered over the rims to gaze at the squirrel. Her eyes narrowed, the wrinkles deepening around them.

“What the hell is that?” the cashier asked in a husky, deep smoker’s voice that hinted at years of late-night conversations and too many cigarettes.

“Please, just take it,” Lucy replied, her tone edged with a sardonic bite. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, fingers digging into the soft fabric of her sweater.

“What kind of a donation is a dead squirrel, little lady?” The cashier leaned forward, the scent of menthol wafting from her.

“People love this kind of stuff!” Lucy protested, pulling the dead squirrel from the box, and holding it up. Its glass eyes caught the light, casting tiny reflections. “Someone wants this in their living room. Just take it, please?” Her eyes pleaded as she tried to force a smile.

The cashier glanced briefly at Lucy's phone case clutched in her hand: a jelly-soft skunk that winked if not held upright, complete with a big bushy tail that dangled. A hint of amusement flickered across the woman's face before she dismissed Lucy with an apathetic wave, her bangles jingling softly.

As Lucy turned to leave, a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck, like icy fingertips grazing her skin. She glanced back over her shoulder, her gaze locking onto the squirrel's glass eyes. For a heartbeat, they seemed to glint mischievously, almost as if winking at her. She blinked, and the illusion vanished. Clutching her phone tighter, she felt the skunk's tail brush against her wrist like a reassuring whisper.

Stepping out into the crisp autumn air, Lucy pulled out her phone. Her roommate, Elena, was interviewing potential new roommates, and Lucy was eager for updates. 

Elena had messaged: The last guy was a nooo-goo. Knife collection and everything. Lucy could almost hear Elena's exasperated sigh. They only had one more candidate lined up for today, but Lucy tried to stay positive, her fingers tapping out a quick reply as she navigated the crowded sidewalk.

#

On the other side of town, Colin emerged from the dim confines of his basement workshop, the door creaking as he stepped into the sunlight. Dust motes swirled around him, illuminated by the golden rays. He held up his latest masterpiece triumphantly: a perfectly taxidermied skunk, its fur sleek and glossy, posed as if caught mid-stride.

The way to a woman's heart is through cute, fuzzy animals. Since Lucy's landlord had denied her a living puppy, Colin believed he was offering the next best thing.

He recalled the moment he'd found the skunk, run over on the side of the street that morning. Tears of joy had welled in his eyes—a rare find! His neighbor had watched from behind a lace curtain, phone in hand, thumb hovering over the keypad to call the cops. When Colin had looked up to the sky, silently thanking the universe for this gift, the neighbor had hastily closed the blinds.

Now, Colin carefully placed the skunk into a fancy box lined with tissue paper, its glossy finish reflecting his eager expression. He hopped into his beat-up pickup truck, the engine sputtering to life. As he drove, the cityscape blurred past—brick buildings giving way to leafy suburbs. A sudden chill seeped into the cab of the truck, causing him to shiver. The radio crackled, static filling the air before it switched channels on its own, landing on an old love song they used to listen to. Colin's lips curled into a smile, taking it as a good omen. These weird things always happened when he was near Lucy, so it reminded him of her. 

#

Elena stood on the front porch of the quaint, two-story house, her dark curls bouncing as she gestured animatedly to the young woman beside her. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the open windows, mingling with the earthy aroma of the potted plants lining the steps. They both paused as Colin's truck pulled up, its brakes squealing softly.

“Hey, Colin,” Elena called out cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she took in the box he carried. “What are you doing here?”

“Lucy said I left some tools here,” he replied, his gaze darting past her toward the front door.

“Oh, yeah,” Elena said slowly, crossing her arms. “They're in the kitchen.” 

She exchanged a wary glance with the prospective roommate. “Who's that?” the girl whispered, leaning in.

“Lucy's ex,” Elena sighed, rolling her eyes. “He’s a bit... eccentric.”

Colin strode past them, the wooden steps creaking under his boots. Inside, the house was a maze of moving boxes and half-unpacked belongings. He navigated the clutter with practiced ease, heading straight for the kitchen. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the cluttered countertops.

He opened the freezer door, a gust of cold air escaping like a sigh. Rearranging frozen vegetables and cartons of ice cream, he made space for his gift. The skunk fit snugly between a bag of frozen broccoli and a box of waffles, its tiny face peeking out as if surveying its new surroundings. Colin imagined Lucy's face lighting up with delight, the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed. 

Grabbing the canvas bag filled with his tools, he made his way out, his footsteps echoing softly on the hardwood floors. Without a backward glance at Elena, he left the house, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. In his mind, a chorus of angels sang in triumphant harmony.

#

Meanwhile, Lucy wandered through the aisles, her fingers trailing over trinkets and knick-knacks, the cool metal and smooth ceramics a comforting distraction. That's when she spotted it—a cute turquoise vintage vacuum cleaner with a cream-colored handle and chrome accents that gleamed under the flickering overhead lights.

“Only ten dollars?” she exclaimed softly, a smile tugging at her lips. “Finally, I can get rid of all that weird animal hair Colin left behind.”

As she knelt to inspect the vacuum, ensuring the cord wasn't frayed and the parts were intact, a peculiar man in a top hat and tails appeared beside her. His attire was out of place, like a magician from a bygone era. He twirled a cane between his gloved fingers.

“Ah, a connoisseur of fine machinery, I see,” he said with a wink, his eyes twinkling beneath bushy eyebrows.

“Just trying to clean up a mess,” Lucy replied, her voice tinged with amusement and a hint of wariness.

“Aren't we all?” he mused, tipping his hat before disappearing behind a rack of outdated prom dresses, the fabric swaying in his wake.

Lucy watched him go, a puzzled expression on her face. Shaking her head, she hefted the vacuum cleaner and carried it over to the cashier. The weight of it was comforting, grounding her amidst the odd encounters of the day.

At the checkout, the cashier had artfully arranged the squirrel, now adorned with a tiny cowboy hat, riding atop a plastic snake in the display near the pay screen.

“Creative,” Lucy remarked, nodding toward the display.

The cashier shrugged, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Figured it might catch someone's eye. Whoever made immortalized this little squirrel is a true artist.”

Lucy paid and stepped out into the late afternoon sun, the sky painted with streaks of pink and orange. She made her way to the bus stop, the vacuum cleaner's wheels clattering softly against the pavement.

Boarding the bus, Lucy found a seat near the back and placed the vacuum beside her. The vehicle lurched forward, the engine humming as it joined the flow of city traffic. She was about to check her phone when an older man, grizzled and stooped, shuffled down the aisle.

“Does your vacuum need a seat?” he grumbled, his voice raspy.

“No,” Lucy replied curtly, pulling it between her legs to make room.

The man sat heavily beside her, muttering under his breath about “kids these days.” He smelled faintly of tobacco and peppermint.

Her phone buzzed with notifications—six missed calls from Elena. Concern knitted her brow as she dialed back. 

“DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE FROZEN SKUNK?” Elena's voice blared through the tiny speaker, high-pitched and frazzled.

Lucy pulled the phone away from her ear, glancing around self-consciously. “Uhh... what?”

“There's a skunk in our freezer, Lucy! I offered the new girl some iced tea, and when I opened the freezer door to get ice, she called us freaks and ran out of the house!”

Lucy sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. “I'm going to talk to Colin,” she assured her friend before hanging up.

She immediately dialed Colin's number, her foot tapping impatiently against the bus floor.

“Hello?” Colin answered, his voice slow and measured. 

“Did you leave a dead skunk in my freezer?” she demanded, keeping her voice low.

The old man beside her shot a curious glance in her direction.

“Taxidermied,” Colin corrected gently. “But it's your favorite—” 

“You freaked out a girl who was viewing our house! With your DEAD SKUNK,” she hissed, her grip tightening on the phone.

“It was a surprise. Please, Lucy—”

“We're done. Done! Do you hear me?” She hung up abruptly, her heart pounding.

The old man stood up with a huff, muttering under his breath, “crazy kids”. 

Oblivious to him, Lucy stared out the window as the city blurred past, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Where the hell was she going to dispose of a frozen skunk?

#

Back at home, the evening shadows stretched long across the living room floor. Lucy set the vacuum cleaner by the stairs and made her way to the kitchen. The house was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

Opening the freezer, she was met with the sight of the skunk nestled among frozen peas and a tub of ice cream. Its fur looked soft, even under a thin layer of frost. She carefully lifted it out, the cold seeping through her fingers.

“What am I supposed to do with you?” she mused aloud, setting the skunk gently on the kitchen counter.

As she gazed into its glass eyes, the skunk's expression seemed almost... friendly. She tilted her head, a small smile forming on her lips.

“Did you... wink at me?” she whispered, half expecting a response.

“Talking to stuffed animals now?” Elena's voice broke the silence as she entered the kitchen, her arms crossed. Lucy laughed softly, a light blush coloring her cheeks. Elena raised an eyebrow. “So, what's the plan?”

“I think I'll keep it,” Lucy said, stroking the skunk's fur absentmindedly.

“Seriously?” Elena's eyes widened.

“I'll keep it in my room,” Lucy promised, scooping up the skunk and heading toward the stairs.

“Well, as long as it doesn't scare off any more potential roommates!” Elena shouted after her.

That evening, Lucy arranged the skunk on her dresser.

“Goodnight, little skunk,” she murmured, pulling the covers up to her chin.

In the quiet darkness, she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Dreams of forest meadows and playful animals filled her mind, leaving her with a sense of joy upon waking.

Over the next few days, Lucy noticed small but delightful changes in her life. Misplaced keys appeared on the counter, her wilting houseplants sprouted new leaves, and she always seemed to catch the bus just as it arrived.

One afternoon, as golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, Lucy sat cross-legged on her bed, the skunk nestled in her lap. She stroked its fur thoughtfully.

“You know,” she said aloud, “I've always had a connection with animals.”

“Talking to your pet skunk again?” Elena teased, leaning against the doorframe.

Lucy smiled. “I like this skunk.”

“God, you and Colin should just get married,” Elena joked, rolling her eyes.

Lucy felt a pang at the mention of Colin. She considered reaching out to him, to share this strange but wonderful experience. Picking up her phone, she stared at his contact photo—a candid shot of him grinning, hair tousled by the wind. Her thumb hovered over the call button before she sighed and set it aside.

“Should I?” she whispered, glancing at the skunk. Its eyes seemed to twinkle encouragingly.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang, echoing through the house.

“I'll get it,” Elena called out. “It’s our new roomie.”

Lucy listened to the muffled voices drifting up from the foyer. Downstairs, Elena laughed at something the new roommate said. The sound was light and genuine. Lucy stood up, stretching her arms overhead, and decided to join them, so she ventured downstairs.

“Lucy, meet Maya,” Elena introduced, gesturing to a girl with bright eyes and a warm smile.

“Hi, Lucy! I've heard so much about you,” Maya said, extending her hand. 

“All good things, I hope,” Lucy replied, shaking her hand firmly.

“Mostly,” Elena quipped, winking.

They all laughed, the atmosphere light and easy. That night, as Lucy prepared for bed, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she looked over at the skunk.

“Maybe I should give you a name,” she pondered. “How about... Whisper?”

As she drifted off to sleep, she felt a reassuring presence nearby, a silent guardian watching over her. In the days that followed, Lucy embraced the oddities in her life. She spent more time outdoors, feeding birds in the park and volunteering at the local animal shelter. The world seemed brighter, colors more vivid, and sounds more harmonious.

One afternoon, she decided to visit Colin's workshop. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. She hesitated outside the door, her hand poised to knock.

Taking a deep breath, she rapped lightly. The door creaked open, and Colin appeared, surprise flickering across his face.

“Lucy,” he said, his voice a mix of confusion and hope.

“Hi, Colin,” she replied, offering a tentative smile. “I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, stepping aside to let her in.

“For the skunk,” she said, meeting his gaze. “It's brought me... a lot of joy.”

He looked relieved. “I'm glad you like it. I was worried, that you would—”

She raised a hand to stop him. “I didn’t get rid of it. I learnt how to embrace the odd.”

Colin hesitated before speaking. “I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too,” she admitted.

“Do you remember when we first met?” he asked suddenly.

Lucy laughed. “At the botanical gardens. You were sketching that old oak tree.”

“And you thought I was stealing leaves,” he chuckled.

“I was so convinced you were up to no good,” she grinned. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “Colin...”

“I know I can be... eccentric,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “But being with you makes me feel understood.”

“Maybe we're both a little odd, and that's okay.”

He turned his hand over, clasping hers gently. “I think that's more than okay.”

As they left the workshop, the sky painted with hues of lavender and gold, they walked side by side. The city seemed to hum with a newfound energy, the sounds of chatter and distant music creating a harmonious backdrop.

Colin glanced at her. “Do you want to see something?” 

“Always,” she replied with a playful smile.

He led her to a nearby park where a small pond reflected the evening sky. Fireflies began to emerge, their tiny lights flickering like stars come to earth.

“It's beautiful,” she whispered.

“I come here when I need inspiration,” he said softly.

They sat on a bench, the gentle chirping of crickets filling the silence. Colin turned to her, his eyes earnest. He leaned in slowly, giving her ample time to pull away. When she didn't, their lips met in a tender kiss.

Pulling back, she rested her forehead against his. “Here's to embracing the weird,” he added with a chuckle.

They sat together, watching as the stars began to dot the sky, feeling the cold air kiss their skin.

# 

Later that night, back in her room, Lucy placed the skunk—Whisper—on her dresser. The skunk's eyes seemed to gleam with approval, a silent acknowledgment. As she climbed into bed, a contented sigh escaped her lips. And in the stillness, Whisper watched over her, content that his job was done, for now.

In his workshop, Colin looked over his latest project—a pair of birds captured in mid-flight. He felt inspired, invigorated. Thoughts of Lucy filled his mind, her laughter echoing like a melody. Smiling, he returned to his work, the rhythmic motions soothing his spirit.