Longlist – 2026 Gooseberry Pie Annual Writing Competition
by Diane D. Gillette
The mother of the bride sobs uncontrollably, mascara running down her flushed cheeks, which she dabs at with a lace hanky, while the bride, one Princess Victoria Spongecake, (white Persian cat with stunning blue eyes and a slightly shredded veil) hisses at the bridesmaid (chihuahua wearing a tutu) and the groom (chocolate Pomeranian who goes by the name of Mr. Sparklepants, wearing a bow tie and top hat) who is sniffing the bridesmaid’s butt. The father of the groom has undone his tie so he can more comfortably yell at the small group of protesters who’ve gathered to the east of the gazebo where the ceremony will take place if we can ever get through the photos. One protester carries a sign that declares No Inter-Species Marriage, and another sign says What’s Next? Frogs Marrying Toasters? I have ceased even trying to get everyone to gather and pose, so I lift my camera and begin shooting. I capture the wailing mother of the bride as she scoops up Princess Victoria and attempts to comfort her, and I snap Mr. Sparklepants bowing down, rump in the air as he invites the bridesmaid to play, both tails wagging. When the father of the bride grabs a protester’s sign and starts chasing him with it, I get that shot, too, all while picturing the album I will present to them: leatherbound cover embossed with the words A Day to Remember.
Diane D. Gillette (she/her) mostly writes short things, but sometimes she strings them together to make longer things. She lives in Chicago with her partner and cats. Read more at www.digillette.com.
Photo by AJMAL ELLICKAN on Unsplash
