Tag: #flashfictionforaspiringwriters

Posted in Creative Nonfiction Essays, Flash Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing

The Gardener

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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“Betty,” the man said. “The soil in this garden is as dry as dust.” Betty replied, “Our vegetables are still growing pretty well, Curtis.” “They won’t keep growing like this unless we get some rain or we start irrigating. Irrigating this garden would be so expensive,” Curtis replied. Betty said, “We’ll just have to think about it for awhile.”

A man was walking along the street and heard Curtis talking but no one was in the garden with him. He stepped over to Curtis and said, “Sir, I heard you talking but your companion must have left.” “Oh yes, she left two years ago,” Curtis replied. “Betty passed away. She still lives in my head and we talk all the time. You see, she’s all I have.”

*Photo by Louise with the Story Teller’s Abode

**FFfAW Challenge sponsored by Priceless Joy

Posted in Flash Fiction, Uncategorized

The Red Lantern

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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The Red Lantern

It had been a wonderful trip, but she had finally arrived in her favorite city of Amsterdam. The last stop. Not only was she looking forward to seeing the city again but to meeting someone very special. But first, there was the Amsterdam rijsttafel to take in. The Indonesian rice table. Her favorite food in the world located in the red light district.

She was too nervous to really indulge. She left dinner early and started to walk toward the bar with the red lantern where she was to meet him. There was the lantern! She stepped to the door. When she saw him, her nervousness drained away and she started to smile. It had been 15 years. He turned and saw her as he raised his martini glass to his lips and stopped halfway. #flashfictionforaspiringwriterschallenge

*Photo courtesy of TJ Paris

 

Posted in Flash Fiction

The Question

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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The small diner was filled with people. At a table in the corner sat three friends, women who, all over 55, were alone. They met every Tuesday for coffee in the early morning.

Phoebe, divorced, was regaling them with tales of her ex-husband. Amanda, long since divorced, was looking bored. Susan, a widow, was watching out the window for the last friend due to arrive. Beatrix was late again.

Beatrix had sent word she had something important, urgent even, to share with them. Suddenly, there was a screech of tires and Susan leaped up and shouted, “Beatrix!” Two cars had collided in front of the shop and in one of them was Beatrix. She had been speeding. What was so urgent?

Beatrix was unconscious. She couldn’t tell them.

The Question

*Photo by Phylor

Posted in Flash Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing

The Leaving

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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As I walked away, I saw the look on Oscar’s face. The look that said, “Please don’t leave me. Please let me go too.” But, this is one trip where Oscar could not join me as he usually did. I had to do this by myself. I made sure Oscar would be safe on the farm, with my friends and the other dogs. It was so hard to walk away from him.

It was my mother. I had to fly across the country and I refused to fly Oscar in cargo. My mother was ill and I had to go to her. Flying a dog in cargo is dangerous and Oscar means too much to me. The only problem is I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I will miss that sweet face.

*Photo courtesy of Yinglan

Posted in Flash Fiction

The Neighbor

Posted on by R.M. Carlson

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The last time Pat saw her neighbor, they argued. That was almost a year ago. The last time they spoke, they discussed, but it was a really an argument. Even a veiled threat from him.

Then, there was an emergency. A little boy was lost in their farming neighborhood.  Everyone pitched in to help look for the little boy. He helped too. His children were with him. Pat assured him she would watch them. She had always loved them.

He walked over and hugged her. Pat still doesn’t understand. He didn’t like her anymore.

They found the little boy in the field behind the old scarecrow. Hiding. Pat considered hiding from the neighbor.

FFfaw Challenge

*Photo compliments of Louise at The Storyteller’s Abode