Tag: microfiction

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

For the Best

Tina Stewart Brakebill

Molly watched and wondered.

Mama always told her it was for the best. They weren’t really captives. It was for protection. They’d hurt themselves or others if they were free.

But still, Molly wondered. Were they happy? Sad? Were they envious? Did they know they weren’t free? Or was mama right and they didn’t even understand those ideas?

One of the little ones followed Molly with its eyes and just for a moment Molly felt a connection. Maybe it did understand. She squirmed a bit at that thought. Maybe mama was right and this was the best thing for them. But still. That look.

Maybe she’d get closer. Try again.

But just then, she heard her mama’s call sing out and she shook off her doubt. Mama would never lie to her.

“Mama must be right. It’s all for the best.”

Already thinking about feeding time, she turned tail and swam away.

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Thanks to Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge.

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

An Impromptu Decision

Tina Stewart Brakebill

It had been an impromptu decision.

A be in the moment, what could possibly go wrong, you only live once, I’m not THAT old, you’re not the boss of me kind of non-decision decision.

The kind that had ruled (or almost ruined if you asked her) his life until she came along. No. This couldn’t be on him. Surely an alarm would have gone off.

No. Not his fault.

As the water crept closer, he tore his gaze away from the gushing pipe. Put on his game face. She’d be back soon. And this was definitely not his fault.  

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Image credit: Anne Higa

Thanks to Fandango’s FOWC wonderful word prompt of IMPROMPTU and Anne Higa’s great photo prompt, I’m back to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioners Challenge after a long absence!

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Today’s Home School

Tina Stewart Brakebill

I already learned about fractions.

Like half a dollar is 50 cents?

No.

One slice is one quarter of a pie?

No.  

“Thanks to Hamilton our cabinet’s fractured into factions … breaking down like fractions.”

History: check. Thanks Broadway.   

hourglass near heap of american dollars
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Thanks to  Sammi’s Challenge to use FACTION in a 39 words story and to Hamilton for being awesome.

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

a better day

Tina Stewart Brakebill

Some days were better than others. He’d leave the house. Buy groceries. Walk in the park. Feed the squirrels. Try to go on without her.

But most days were bad. On those days he’d stay in bed. Thinking only of her. Hurting as badly as he had that first day without her.

And then there was today. The anniversary of that terrible day. 365 days of pain. And planning. Now it was time.

He imagined them. Walking hand-in-hand on the boardwalk. Oblivious to his pain.

Reaching into his bag, he smiled. Today was going to be a better day.

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Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

I swear this started out as a sweet story but at about word 63, it turned … well, I’ll let y’all be the judge and end it for yourselves. What’s he reaching for?

Thanks, as always, to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioners Challenge for providing inspiration.