Chicken-Back Pete

Chicken-Back Pete's thoughts were troubling him. "It's going to end badly any time now. I can just feel it. My affliction is too much to bear."

His date, Nicole, was sitting on the chair across the small booth. She was pretty, and seemed likeable enough. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled. "I'll have the Kung Pao Chicken." Chicken-Back Pete flinched at the word chicken. Who could blame him? Born with the down of a newborn's chick on his back, the word "chicken" had always haunted him, making him the subject of mockery since kindergarten.

"What? Is there something wrong with chicken?" Pete tried to supress his reaction as he replied, "Uh, no, there's nothing wrong with...chicken" he muttered. "I'll have the, uh, cheeseburger." The waiter left them alone.

"I'm just curious, is all. You've been jumpy this entire date. You should relax a little." she smiled. It failed to calm him, as vexing thoughts entered his head. "Why is she smiling? Does she already know? I bet she already knows. She's just leading me on, and she's setting me up for one big joke. They always are. No one could ever love me. Who could love a man with chick down on his back?"

"Really, it's-"

"NO! NO, IT'S NOT ALRIGHT! YOU'RE HERE TO MESS WITH ME, AREN'T YOU? TRYING TO PLAY NICE, ACT LIKE YOU CAN STAND A FREAK. YOU'RE EVEN WORSE THAN THE REST. WHY CAN'T ANYONE TREAT ME LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING? GO TO HELL! GO TO HELL!" Pete immediately regretted his words. Nicole ran out, crying, not knowing what could have caused such an outburst.

Pete laid his head down on the table, and wept.

-Credit to Minesotta President for the idea.