Tag: Carrot Ranch

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Red is Definitely My Color

Tina Stewart Brakebill

I was never a “convertible person.” Hot in the summer. Cold in the winter. Buggy. Windy. Nope. Not for me.

But … I had to admit, I looked good. Red was definitely my color.

A horn blasted and I shifted my gaze to the truck also reflected in the store window. Resisting the urge to flip them off, I meekly waved. They roared past me, blasting exhaust.

As that rumble faded, the sound from the trunk grew louder. Time to get back to the task at hand.

I indulged in one last look. Yes. Red definitely was my color.

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Thanks to Carrot Ranch 99 Word Story for the inspiration.

Flash Fiction, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Climate Storm v. Storm Windows

Tina Stewart Brakebill

She wondered whether the storm windows would hold. They were meant to keep out bad weather, not … well whatever was falling from the sky. It was funny she used to think the end of the world would come later. After she was gone. Not when her dreams were finally within her grasp.

It wasn’t fair. She had done everything right. And now. Now the sky was literally falling.

Lost in thought, her mind barely registered the hissing as the bubbles burst through the window pane.

As the drops burned through her flesh, her mind screamed “It’s not fair!”

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Thanks to Carrot Ranch for the inspiration for this 99 word story.

Climate change is real and it’s going to destroy us if we don’t change our path.

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Flash Fiction, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Born This Way

Tina Stewart Brakebill

What would he say when he saw them? Sparkly and pink, they matched her t-shirt and her lip gloss. Or would have, if she’d been brave enough to wear lip gloss. Baby steps. That’s her plan. Painted nails today. Maybe painted lips next week.

What was she so afraid of? She needed to live her true life. She needed to tell him! And she would. Soon.

Still, she remembered his menacing tone before last year’s talent show. “No son of mine is going to strut around like a painted whore!”

So, less Gaga. And more … what?

Baby steps.

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Photo by Plush Design Studio on Pexels.com

Thanks to Carrot Ranch for a great FF challenge.

You Are Loved. Thanks Gaga.

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Bad Decisions

Tina Stewart Brakebill

God she was exhausted. The constant questions. The scrutiny. Knowing she was being judged. Constantly.  About every single thing.

Her friends had tried to warn her but she didn’t listen. “It’s not like I’m new at this this.” Her naïve arrogance dripping off her words. But California isn’t like New York they insisted.

Now she believed. Too late.

What it would feel like to escape it all? Just run. Dive in.  Sink. Just rest.

Free? Quiet?

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“Ms. Emma? … Ms. EMMA!”

The kids weren’t even the worst. It was the parents. Private school teacher in Malibu. Worst decision ever.

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Inspired by the beautiful photo prompt courtesy of Sandra Cook via Rochelle’s Friday Fictioners Challenge and by Carrot Ranch’s Flash Fiction Challenge. As a former teacher, the first thing I thought when I saw the word prompt “exhaustion” was teaching! Don’t get me wrong, I loved it BUT exhausted I often (always) was!

Flash Fiction, History, tutto e niente

Dearest John

Tina Stewart Brakebill

May 30, 1893

Dearest John.

It finally arrived. I was scared that it wouldn’t get here in time for your birthday but it came on the train yesterday. Daddy will be angry but there’s nothing he can do about it now. When I saw our names together I fell to my knees. I love you so much. We talked so much about leaving this place. Being together. Going someplace where daddy couldn’t stop us. Then you left me. Alone. But daddy can’t stop us now. In death, we can be connected forever.

Till tomorrow my love.  

Always Your Cora

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This 99 words of completely unsubstantiated fiction (based on a real headstone) was written for Carrot Ranch’s FF challenge.

If you haven’t done so, check them out. Twas fun! Especially for this historian who loves to write about long-dead women!