Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge ~ Luncheon Special

The seagull knew it was Saturday at the Seaside Salty-Air Sushi Stand and circled the patio scoping out the place. The patterns created by the striped umbrellas and alternating shadows had been known to interfere with his ambushes as they played with his visual judgement on angle-speed-and -escape route.

He shuddered about an unfortunate miscalculation just last Spring…

The onion rings sat invitingly near the table’s edge as the fat man was leaning away spreading food in front of one of those mini people next to him.
Seagull was an expert not one of those beggar types. He was an ‘all or nothing’ gull.
He made his move! He swooped, grabbing the metal handle of the whole container in his beak, when ‘fat boy’ stood up to straighten the umbrella. Seagull’s mind screamed, “Abort! Abort!” but he was already committed and could practically taste his prize. The onion rings and box went one way and the metal handle, with Seagull still attached, became snagged in the fabric edge of the umbrella. There he dangled with that ‘pee wee’ screaming and the fat man reaching for him with bared teeth. If it weren’t for the man’s midsection being wider than his reach was long, Seagull wouldn’t be circling the place today.

AH HA ! A few tables have folded umbrellas and they’re sitting on the perimeter. Jackpot!
If Seagull had lips, he’d be smiling ear to ear. His luncheon special was about to be served!
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Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #109 – This, That, and The Other (fivedotoh.com)