The Adventures of Maggie and Bruce - Flash Fiction

One year when I was in Florida my son called me saying that Maggie and Bruce (our 2 Newfoundland dogs) were gone. I panicked and asked him what happened. He said that he came home and the door was wide open and no dogs. I told him to go out and find them. What did he expect me to do, I was 1400 miles away.

He went out looking for the dogs without much luck. When my husband got home that night he helped in the search. Still no luck. The next day my son Matthew who lived close to the animal shelter decided to go check to see if by some chance they were there. He walked up and there they were happily playing in the outside pen. The attendants said that they were the best inmates they'd ever had. Friendly and very obedient.

This week's Flash Fiction is to write in 99 words, (no more, no less) about an escape artist. If you'd like to join in on the fun of flash fiction, please follow the link over to Carrot Ranch.

Here is my flash fiction.

Come on Bruce let’s get out of here, the door is partially open.

Okay Maggie let’s go, I’ll follow you, lead the way.

Up the street the two dogs went as happy as pigs in mud.  They had a great day wandering the streets and going to the park. They met a few dogs along the way making new friends.

Then a man appeared out of nowhere with a van and coaxed the dogs over. They both loved to ride so in they went.

Arriving at the animal shelter they had a feeling they were in trouble. Now what?

Lock the Bathroom Door - Flash Fiction

Meg was having a nicotine fit and needed a smoke. Her parents were home so she went into the bathroom.

Sitting on the toilet taking that first drag, she felt instant relief.  

She heard a tap, tap on the bathroom door and panic set in. “I’ll just be a minute”, she said.

Quickly she put her hand behind her and was about to drop it into the toilet when her mother walked in to comb her hair.

If I drop it she’ll hear the sizzle of the smoke hitting the water.

Seeming like forever her mother finally left.  Reprieve.  

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features sound. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

Revenge Pie - Flash Fiction

Look Joe, I made you a pie.

Why would you do that?

I wanted you to know that I still want to be friends even though you made fun of me the other day.

Well it was pretty funny when everyone laughed.

Come on Joe just one little bite, it won’t kill you.

What kind of pie is this anyways, it looks kind of gray.

It’s just the color of the flour I used.

One bite was all it took.  Joe spat it right out.

Sandy ran fast to get out of Joe’s reach. 

Mud pie, my oh my. 

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features pie. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

The Tree House - Flash Fiction

Meg was determined to find out today what was in the treehouse. When she saw Johnny going up there she called to him. “Wait for me I’m coming up.”

“No, there’s not enough room, and it’s too high.”

We’ll see about that, Meg said to herself.

Once inside she thought, wow what a cool hideout, and took a seat on the floor towards the back.

“Meg you’re gonna have to leave, my friend’s coming up, and there’s not enough room.”

“I’ll just move back.”  Pushing against a burlap curtain, out of the treehouse she fell, landing on the ground. 

This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at Carrot Ranch was to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about an unexpected landing. It can be acrobatic, , an unplanned move or created into a metaphor. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. 

The Storm - Flash Fiction

Squinting, trying to see a few feet in front of the car was impossible.  I only wish there was a car in front of me to follow. 

OH NO ICE! Don’t panic, I said to myself, and for God’s sake don’t hit the brakes. 

Slipping and sliding losing control of the car ….. SHIT, I was in a ditch! Oh great now what.

Unprepared for this dressed in heels and a short skirt, walking would be suicide in this snowstorm. Better stay put.

Freezing to the bone, hours later, I could see a most welcomed beacon of light. Safety. 

The storm was written for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. If you like to read or write short stories please join us by following the link. This weeks challenge is to write a 99 word (no more, no less) story about a beacon. 

The Anniversary Dinner - Flash Fiction

As soon as Jim walked through the front door the aroma of Megs cooking put a smile on his face.

“Oh my goodness woman what are you cooking? There’s enough food here for six people!”

“Just the two of us, I wanted to make it a special dinner. After all, it is our anniversary.”

“Are those lobsters?”

“They sure are, and to go with them we have steak, mushrooms, crab legs, shrimp skewers, scallops, and a Caesar salad. Just wait till you see dessert.”

Jim could barely do it, but he ate his cherry cheesecake and felt totally content. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. This weeks challenge was to write a story about "feeling content", in 99 words (no more, no less). If you enjoy reading or writing flash fiction, please do join us by following the link. You won't be disappointed as there are many fantastic writers at the ranch. 

The Onyx Ring - Flash Fiction

Grandma would sit and tell Molly stories about her life in the old country. Scotland sounded amazing to Molly but what she most wanted to know about was the ring grandma wore.

Well dear this ring wasn’t always a ring. Your grandpa gave me this as a necklace that I wore for years. One day I decided I wanted to make it into a ring and took it to a jeweler.

It was a black onyx stone with a diamond in the middle and Molly just loved it.

Years later when grandma passed away, Molly was given the ring. 

I always thought that onyx only came in black but after doing some research I found that onyx comes in red, purple, blue and white. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

Training Squirrels - Flash Fiction

Wikipedia

“For God's sake Norm what are you doing with those peanuts?”

“I’m training the squirrels to follow the path of the peanuts. Eventually they’ll come right into the house.”

"I don’t want those dirty things in my house!”

“Oh don’t be silly Diane they’re not dirty, they’re cute.”

A week later, Norm and Diane were sitting in the family room having a coffee. Diane didn’t notice that the screen was ajar. Then she saw it, a squirrel was crossing the threshold. She let out the loudest scream.

“Norm I told you no varmints in the house!”

Norm just giggled.

This post is for a Flash Fiction challenge by +Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch. This weeks challenge was to write a 99 word (no more, no less) story that includes squirrels. 

May the Butterflies Land - Flash Fiction

Wikimedia

Dad how do you make the butterflies land?

You have to be oh so still and quiet. Watch and listen to what I do.

Dad extended his arm out and barely whispered to the Monarchs saying, simmer down, simmer down, simmer down.  Patiently we waited and dad repeated simmer down several times.

I began to chant simmer down, and after what seemed like an eternity a butterfly landed on my shoulder. I was ecstatic and tried so hard to be still. I looked over at dad and he was smiling.

That’s how you make a butterfly land sweet girl. 

This is a Flash Fiction challenge from +Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch. This weeks challenge was in 99 words (no more, no less) include insects in a story.

Circle of Protection - Flash Fiction

Walking through the woods Tim was getting an eerie feeling that something was lurking. All of a sudden he saw it, a black bear coming towards him. Panic overtook him and he froze not knowing whether to run or to stay still. The bear stopped about fifteen feet away from him, sat on his haunches and let out a huge bellow. Out of the corner of his eye Tim saw a pack of wolves and thought; oh no I’m dead for sure. Much to his surprise the wolves made a circle around him to protect him from the bear. 

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

Childhood Fear - Flash Fiction

Lying in bed I was terrified to get up. I never knew what kind of mood my step-mother would be in. Would she be in a good spirits or in her usual mean mode? Would I be yelled at today for something I did to displease her, or would she find a reason within herself to hit me. Straining to listen to see if she was up or not, I quietly lay there trying to get up enough courage to make it to the bathroom.  Then I heard the big slam of pots and pans coming from the kitchen. 

This week's challenge at Carrot Ranch was to write a 99 word (no more, no less) response to an agoraphobic moment. 

Just One Word Flash Fiction

Carrot Ranch

What’re you so intently working on mom, my son asked.

It’s a flash fiction story for a blog that I just started following. You have to write a story that is 99 words.

What happens if it’s 98 or 100 words, he asked.

Then you have to add a word or omit a word silly, it has to be 99 words exactly.

Go grab a piece of that cake and let me finish this challenge.

Oh there’s cake! Well good luck with your story.

Looking down at my word counter, I saw that I was just one word short.

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.

Close Call - Flash Fiction

God I need a smoke and it’s too late to go out. I'll just sneak one in the bathroom; Mom and Dad won't notice.

Sitting on the toilet I light my smoke, and after a few drags there’s a knock at the door. Oh SHIT now what am I going to do!

Thinking quickly I stick the smoke behind my lower back so that I can drop it if need be. In walks mom to check her hair and wash her hands.

Shit, I’m gonna get busted for sure.

Why didn't I lock the door?  Mom leaves.

Phew safe.

Join a great bunch of writers over at Carrot Ranch each week who write a 99 word (no more, no less) flash fiction from the prompts that +Charli Mills gives us. This week the prompt is to write a story that includes a vice.

Save the Park - Flash Fiction

Martha, I hear they want to remove the children’s park down the street and build some fancy hi-fluting high rise in its place.

But they just put in that new pool for the kids last summer and upgraded the play equipment. What a waste of good money!

I’m sure that I read somewhere that that park always had to stay a park. I’m going to investigate this.

Ha! Looky here, it states that William Right donated this as park land with the stipulation that it would always remain a park. I’m going to put a stop to their plans! 

Join a great bunch of writers over at Carrot Ranch each week who write a 99 word (no more, no less) flash fiction from the prompts that +Charli Mills gives us. This week the prompt is about nurturing. 

Addicted - Flash Fiction

By Psychonaught (Own work) [Public domain],
 via Wikimedia Commons

Gotta go see Dave … Hell, he'll hook me up; I'm only twenty short.

Where did I put my damn phone?  Ah there it is.

Shaking I dialed, the sweat dripping down my face.

Hey Dave, John here, can you meet me in ten minutes at our spot?  

Sure bro, want your regular?

Ya man.

Shit Dave’s not here, now what do I do.

Pacing back and forth I spotted him.

I thought for a minute you weren't gonna show. I’m twenty short, can you cover me?

Uhhh …. Sure, no problem.

------------------------------

Later, man found dead from overdose. 


After writing this first flash for this week I wanted to write a second one.
Here it is.

I walked into the room and saw grandma hunched over sitting on her bed staring at the floor.

Grandma, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?

After a big sigh she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and replied, I’m just thinking of your mother and how so much I miss her dear.  It’s not fair that she was taken from us so young. For you to grow up without her is a tragedy.

Sitting down on the bed to comfort grandma she continued. They take the good ones way too soon, way too soon. More tears.

This post is for a Flash Fiction Challenge by +Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch. If you enjoy writing or reading Flash Fiction please come by and join a great group of writers.

Compassionate Neighbours - Flash Fiction

Easter was approaching and there was barely enough food to feed the family of six let alone get the children any chocolate eggs or bunnies.

Stop worrying Agnes, surely some work will turn up soon, said Roy.

Normally he was right but Agnes felt deep in her heart that this year there'd be no ham on their table for dinner.

It was Good Friday and Agnes heard a knock at the door. No one was there but there was a fairly large box sitting on the porch. It was filled with food, chocolate, and a ham.

Agnes’ heart melted.

This post is for a Flash Fiction Challenge by +Charli Mills over at Carrot Ranch. If you enjoy writing or reading Flash Fiction please come by and join a great group of writers. This weeks challenge is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about compassion. 

For The Love of Garlic

Mommy, do we really have to go and visit Aunt Annie again tonight?

Why dear, do you not like your Aunt?

I like her, it’s just that she smells kind of funny.

Her job is handling tobacco all day long making cigarettes dear, so that’s probably why you think she smells funny.

No it’s not that kind of a smell. Daddy smells like cigarettes but she has a different smell to her.

Mommy thought hard about it. Of course, now I know what you’re referring to. Your aunt comes home every Friday night and makes herself a garlic sandwich. 

This is a post for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. If you or someone you know likes to read or write flash fiction please stop by and join in on the fun and many challenges. Each week on Wednesdays +Charli Mills provides us with a new flash fiction challenge. This weeks prompt is to write a story about a nutty aunt in 99 words (no more, no less).

Whiteouts - A Flash Fiction

 Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Hands clenched around the steering wheel, knuckles white, and heart pounding with fear.

Flurries were forecasted this afternoon but not total whiteouts.

I should have stayed at school.

Wanting desperately to pull over as I couldn't see a thing in front of me, I kept hearing a little voice in my head saying, “No one will see you and you'll get rear-ended for sure.”

Suddenly I saw tail lights from another car and followed it until I could no longer see them.

Winds were strong, and I was fighting to keep my car on the road.

Whiteouts finally cleared. 

This is a post for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. If you or someone you know likes to read or write flash fiction please stop by and join in on the fun and many challenges. Each week on Wednesdays +Charli Mills provides us with a new flash fiction challenge. This weeks prompt is to write a story of disorientation in 99 words (no more, no less).

The Outhouse and the Bullfrog

By Cornellier (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Tommy, come on over here and hide behind this tree with us. You got to see what’s going to happen when Miss Smith goes into the outhouse.

What did you do Joey?

You'll see, just wait, she should come runnin outta there about now.

Just as he said now, the boys heard a scream, and sure enough out she came running with her bloomers wrapped around her ankles.

The boys all watched and giggled as Miss Smith made a mad dash into the schoolhouse.  

 Tommy saw the biggest bullfrog vacating the outhouse and knew what Joey had done. 

This post is part of a Flash Fiction challenge I try to participate in every week. If you enjoy reading or writing Flash Fiction why not join us over at Carrot Ranch. 

Flash Fiction - Through the Floor

 Frank C. Müller [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], 

Steamy hot water beat down against my sore and weary body. It had been a long frustrating day but the shower was massaging it all away.

Humming Thunder Road, and starting to feel rejuvenated, I reached down for the soap and heard crackling and splitting noises that were very loud.

When I came to Al was kneeling beside me repeating over and over, “wake up."

“Why am I in the basement?” 

“You were taking a shower and the tub fell through the floor. Try not to move too much, an ambulance is on its way.

“Seriously, oh my God!!!”

This is a post for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. If you or someone you know likes to read or write flash fiction please stop by and join in on the fun and many challenges. Each week on Wednesdays +Charli Mills provides us with a new flash fiction challenge.