number nine

just now, more like two days ago - while he was out on a road trip, i did the laundry. i happily dumped everything into the washing machine, poured the detergent, waited about 50 minutes for that to be over, then transferred the whole pile into the dryer. approximately an hour and a half after that, while lying in my bed, watching an episode of the family guy, i heard a semi loud explosion. it sounded like a gunshot. i didn't dare leave my room. but i had to. i ran to the dryer and took out all the clothing. it was dry by then. it didn't quite smell like laundry detergent. instead it reeked of something metallic. i proceeded to fold the clothing anyway. one by one. something made me reach into his chef pants, only to grab and turn inside out his right pocket. little bits of plastic fell out. accompanied with some twisted metal and a familiar circular object. his lighter had exploded in the dryer.