Tag: #flashfiction

Posted in Flash Fiction

Morphed

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“My God, Nathan, let’s stay out of that old house,” Karen said.

Nathan and Karen were college students doing a field study on water pollution in the Everglades in South Florida. They had spent most of the morning taking water samples from the swamp. South of Everglades City, they had happened on an old, deserted house.

Nathan went into the house, wanting to explore. Karen followed.

Nathan reached to grab the banister and Karen screamed no. On the post, there was an otherworldly green lizard-like creature.

“Polluted water isn’t all there is here,” he thought, jumping away.

 

Photo credit by Shaktiki Sharma

Posted in Flash Fiction

The Piano Girl

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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Gracie loved her piano. She started taking piano lessons at four. She could play the classical musicians at seven. At ten, she was an accomplished pianist. She played when she was happy or hurt. She played four hours a day.

Gracie had a wonderful piano teacher when she got to college – Mrs. V. Mrs. V said she could help her get a partial scholarship to a big music school in the east. Only partial. Gracie’s family had no money for the rest. Gracie understood. She kept playing.

Until one day she didn’t. There was no time. She had to go to work and she studied for better jobs when she returned home. She closed her beloved piano for many years.

Years later, when Gracie didn’t have to work anymore, she started playing again. It took some time, but she remembered it all. It still brought her joy. Wasn’t that the point, after all?

 

Posted in Flash Fiction

The Windfall

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“It’s impossible to get a good price for cattle nowdays, Desiree,” Clint said as he passed through the kitchen.

“What’s wrong, honey?” she replied.

“I’ve taken all the cattle to Ed Davenport to be evaluated and priced except that one calf that’s too young. The price of cattle is pretty low. I’m just afraid we won’t get the price we need to change our business model.”

Clint and Desiree had inherited Clint’s father’s ranch and were looking to start a large organic farming operation in place of raising cattle. They had environmental concerns. One was the bee population in their area of the U.S.

The phone rang. It was Ed. The price he gave Clint for the cattle would more than give them the startup capital for their dream. They danced around the kitchen, celebrating.

FFfAW

Posted in Flash Fiction

Escape

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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They were in Europe for only two weeks. The kids wanted to take a boat ride on the canals. It was the week before Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States. Every American that possibly could was escaping the country. The word was out that Putin of Russia had bought and paid for Trump. Americans were scared of what would happen after the inauguration.

The family was on its way to Australia along with many other Americans. Others were going to Canada. There was panic in the streets at home. Kelly supposed that even the vast Outback in Australia couldn’t hold all the Americans that wanted a homestead there.

Kelly smiled at Pete and tried to relax and enjoy riding on the canals. She would never forget the shining city on the hill.

 

*Photo credit to The Storyteller’s Abode

Posted in Flash Fiction

Time is a Wheel

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“Harry, please don’t play underneath the house. It’s dangerous,” said Harry’s mother when she found her nine-year old son leaning on the old wheel under the house.

“But, Mom, said Harry, “I have to see what the wheel says.”

“What are you talking about?” Harry’s mom is distracted because she is studying for her final exam in her graduate program.

“Mom, that’s the Wheel of Time. It spins it in one direction and shows scenes from the past. The other, scenes of the future.” Harry’s mother thought he was playing make-believe.

Then she heard the wheel turn – by itself.

99 words

Photo Credit: Sandra Crook

Posted in FFftPP, Fiction, Flash Fiction, romance

Lying in London

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“Patrick!” Rebecca cried. “What a wonderful thing to do! Look at that beautiful tray of food.”

“It’s the least I could do for us tonight. You had a long day of shopping. I had a long day exploring London.”

Rebecca and Patrick were on their way back to the States after a month in Europe. It was the first time they had been there together. They explored France and then took the train to Switzerland where Patrick had business. They had just finished a day in London. They were staying a wonderful old hotel in Trafalgar Square.

Patrick was ready to have a break from Rebecca, but she didn’t know that. She thought he would miss her as she would him. She also didn’t know he was visiting another woman today in London while she was out shopping.

They drank the wine and ate the lovely Stilton cheese from the tray, saving some of each for later. Then they took a late night walk in the Square. London was beautiful by night. It was a night Rebecca would never forget.

She cried when they parted the next day. By the time Patrick boarded his plane, he had already forgotten her.

200 words

#amwriting #amblogging #writing #FFftPP

 

Posted in Fiction, Flash Fiction

Falling

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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She had always wanted to visit Iceland. As a photographer, she knew that some of the most amazing pictures could be taken there and she made her living selling her photos. She had been in Iceland for several days and had taken incredible pictures. She had a day trip planned to Gullfoss Falls today, an amazing waterfall.

The tour group arrived at The Falls. As they walked toward The Falls, she was mesmerized because you can’t see the edge. It looks like the Hvita River just vanishes into the earth. She just started snapping pictures. All she could think about was that she could sell these pictures in the U.S. She and some other members of the group got closer. They called to her not to get too close. She had to get this last shot. But she slipped and tumbled over the rocks into the canyon.

147 words

#amwriting #amblogging #writing #Iceland #flashfiction #fiction

Post in response to Challenge whatpegmansaw using Google Maps

Posted in Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horses

Wildfire and Rose

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“It’s going to be 19 degrees F. tonight and not more than 21 degrees tomorrow. We have to get the horses in,” Skip said.

“Especially Wildfire,” I replied. “His coat seems thin this year. He’s not out there with the other horses. I’m going to take Thunder and go to the back pastures to find him.”

“You can’t,” said Skip. “It’s so slick out there. What if Thunder slips?”

An hour later, Rose hadn’t returned. She would search for her beloved Wildfire until she found him. Suddenly, they heard a whinny. Wildfire was covered in snow by the door. So was Rose!

Photo credit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

100 words

#amblogging #amwriting #writing #flashfiction #fiction

Post in response to #FridayFictioneers Challenge

Thanks, Rochelle!

 

Posted in Fiction

Mother, May I?

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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As they drove home from the city, the sky looked ominous. They were late and her mother was going to be waiting on her dinner. They had needed time to themselves today. Her mother was always there. They never had any alone time. She hated thinking things like this. Her mother was ill. They had stayed as late as possible and had even had a wonderful French dinner.

Because her mother felt badly, she didn’t want anyone else to feel good so she always gave them the evil eye when they laughed even the tiniest bit at home. Sometimes she shocked herself at the sound of her own laughter, she heard it so seldom.

As they got out of the car, they heard voices in the house and laughter. What could that be? They raced inside. There sat her mother with friends, talking, laughing, looking quite guilty. She sat down at the table and cried. #amwriting #amblogging #writing #romance #depression

*This post sponsored by FFfAW.

Thanks, Priceless Joy!