Flash Fiction

100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups – # 86 — ‘Decisions’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s 100-Word story challenge from Julia is the following phrase:     ” … the queue was so long …” 

We have to create a story with 100 words, plus this phrase. To join the fun visit Julia here: http://jfb57.wordpress.com/.

My story is four words over the limit, but you will find it below:


DECISIONS

THANKSGING LINE #2 - CROPPED

The queue was so long!  I was already doubting my decision.  

If I stood here much longer, I might change my mind. I didn’t want to change my mind.

I knew Roger loved me, and our life was good.  He’d begged me not to go.  But I couldn’t stop wondering … what would have happened if I’d made different decisions?  What life would I have …?

And when Dr. DeCamp taught the class on alternate lives — and explained that those lives were actually running concurrent to this one — and that there was a way to transfer into those lives — I decided.

But … now … every minute in line required a NEW decision!

~

100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups #85 — ‘Wendell’s Angel’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I’m running behind (no pun intended), but I was so swamped with other work last week that I didn’t get a chance to check out the 100-Word Challenge at Julia’s Place. But when I was there yesterday and saw the photo from last week, I just could not resist writing a story for it. So I’m offering it a week late, but none-the-less happily written.  Here’s the photo, and my story is below. 

image004

WENDELL’S ANGEL

Angel # 47,000,000 smiled at Wendell lumbering through the museum. # 47,000,000 had been Wendell’s guardian since birth. And what a ride it had been!

Wendell loved life! Though heavy and awkward, he liked doing everything, unaware his large frame could be dangerous when he wasn’t careful.

Even today, just visiting the museum: # 47,000,000 had already rescued a $60,000 sculpture, a $1,000,000 clock, and a case of rare jewels Wendell had bumped with his rump. The alarm had blared; the museum doors had locked down.

After things settled, Wendell wanted just one more picture, so # 47,000,000 started to relax.

Wendell bent for a close-up.

Bump.

Ming Vase going down!

Swoop!

“Whew!”

Once # 47,000,000 got Wendell home, he was asking God for a raise! 

~
To join this current week’s fun, hop over to Julia’s blog:  http://jfb57.wordpress.com/

Friday Fictioneers – 4/19/13 — ‘The Gift’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Friday Fictioneers, that 100-word story challenge, has rolled around again. This week the prompt comes from a lovely photo by Janet Webb. To join the fun visit Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields’ site here:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

Wasp nest

The Gift

Each morning 8-year-old Aran, his mahogany skin warmed by the sun, trekked to the shore to play with his stash of sea-polished rocks. Eagerly, he collected new ones, always anticipating some special treasure deposited on this tiny island by his best friend, the ocean.

Today he’d found that gift. Coral? It didn’t feel like coral. Scores of tiny hollows inside formed a pattern and offered a mystery.

“What is it, Poppy?” he’d asked Grandfather, who’d traveled to distant lands.

“A wasps’ nest,” was the reply, and then, because the island had no wasps, Grandfather explained.

Aran held the delicate structure close. Here it was! His anticipated treasure from another world! His connection with people and adventures that were beyond his ocean! He would treasure this gift … keep it safe … and some day ….

~

Friday Fictioneers – 4/12/13 – Grandpa’s Invention

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Friday Fictioneers this week offers a unique photo (from Sandra Crook) as the prompt for our 100-word story. It could take you into many different worlds. My imagination took me to long, long ago . . . .

Sandra Crook

GRANDPA’S INVENTION

“Gramps, what ya buildin’?”

“Well, son, I calls is a tri-cycle.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Means it has three wheels. See here?”

“What’s it fer?”

“To get me places that’s too fer to walk.”

“What makes it roll?”

“I pushes these two little pads down here with my feet, and the wheels’ll roll.”

“But … will it go where you tell it?”

“These here curly-lookin’ handles’ll let me turn left and right.”

“Where’d you git all them parts?”

“Took apart the old tractor and your gram’s still.”

“Oh-oh … Uh … Gramps … I think you better get on and start pushin’ them pads now.”

“What’s the hurry?”

“Gramma’s comin’ down the hill … with her shotgun.”

~

Come on and join the fun. Visit Rochelle’s site to get the easy rules:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week # 82

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s 100-word story prompt from Julia:

” … looking at all of that chocolate …”

My story:

SONY DSCCHOCOLATE IN THE NEWS

“Hi!  S. Chocolate Bunny here, reporting to you from the National Easter Egg Hunt on the White House Lawn. There are at least 600 kids here trying their luck.

“Whew! It’s hot for this time of year! Sun’s really beating down. Wish I’d worn a hat.

“In past years, the President gave each participant a big chocolate bunny at the close of the event, and just looking at all that chocolate encouraged competitiveness. However, this year Rabbits United challenged that practice, so … uh … whew, it’s hot! … so he’ll be … giving … candy … e … eggs … in … instead.

“Whew! … So-o-o-o-o-o … h-o-t! … m … mel-l-l-t-i-i-i-n-n-n-g-g-g-g ….”

“Hey, Billy, look! A big puddle of chocolate! Let’s have some!”

~ ~ ~

To join the fun, visit Julia here:
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week/

100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week # 81 – A Woman Scorned

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s prompt: “… the unseasonal weather meant …” Here’s my response:

A Woman Scorned

The unseasonal weather meant she’d have to dig through the packed-away winter clothes for a coat and gloves. April … and 32º!

She hated winter!  Hated weddings!  She’d tried to find an excuse not to go, but no chance. And now this!

Suddenly, she stopped still … grinning. Exhilarating thought!  It was an outdoor wedding!  And no time to change it!  She’d stand there warm and cozy and watch that vixen who’d stolen her boyfriend shiver and turn an ugly blue in her strapless white gown.

White!

Of all the nerve!

She knelt: “Dear God, she wants a white wedding. Please send her a foot of snow!”

WEDDING CEREMONY - BLUE - SNOW ~

Join in the fun at “Julia’s Place” : http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week81/

Friday Fictioneers – 3/15/13 — City Girl

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s prompt is a photo from Lora Mitchell. My story is below.

Copyright - Lora Mitchell

CITY GIRL

Exiting the board room at 6:03, she rushed to her office. The light out, she walked to her window, now gently bathed in a light shower. Aaaahhhh! Tension instantly drained away as she feasted on her favorite view — her city — alive, gorgeous, teeming with energy and renewal. It was in her heartbeat.

Brent couldn’t comprehend. Always a country boy, he insisted Kate could be happy in his world. Since his proposal, a new plant arrived daily — pressing her. Today’s lily blocked her view. Tossing it into the receptacle, she leaned against the window — happy.

~
To take part in the Friday Fictioneers challenge, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, visit her site: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/15-march-2013/

Friday Fictioneers — February 22

| Sandra Pavloff Conner
Copyright-Janet Webb
Copyright-Janet Webb

The Painted Fence

Odd … the fence so freshly painted. The barn still bore silent scars from enemy troops scouring the countryside of its rightful owners and leaving all to ruin. A few lucky farmers had fled, losing all they’d worked for.

But before … before death and destruction … she and Johann had walked the length of this fence daily … stopping for kisses … planning: marriage, children, living beside this fence.

The night of the soldiers Johann had forced her to run while he covered her, and she’d seen them capture him.

20 years gone and she’d come back to remember. If only Johann were ….

Odd … this fence so freshly painted ….

~ ~ ~

To join the fun visit Rochelle’s blog:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/22-february-2013/

Friday Fictioneers – Week # 77 — A Royal Love Story

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s Friday Fictioneers prompt is a photo by David Stewart of a statue in his home city in Korea.  My response turned out to be a love story — maybe because my focus this week is on Valentine’s Day.  Here’s David’s photo, followed by my take on the challenge.

The Wrong Tourist

A Royal Love Story

Once upon a time, a starving sculptor fell hopelessly in love with Princess Kameko.

“He will have to create a great statue for the courtyard of my palace, and prove himself worthy of you,” the king said to Kameko. “It must exhibit his love for you in such unusual manner that people from many lands will travel to see it.”

The artist thought – agonized – for days, finally presenting himself to the king with tools in hand.

Three days later, the royal city gathered in the courtyard and gasped with pleasure at the unveiling of the oblique statue: Falling In Love.

Artist and princess lived happily ever after.

~ ~ ~

To take part in the fun visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ site.  She is the dynamic host of the challenge:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/15-february-2013/

Friday Fictioneers – February 8, 2013

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This Friday’s challenge is here in the form of a photo from Rich Voza

Frid Fict Plane

BUT NOT ALWAYS

He was Cherokee, she Scottish-American. But the moment they met in the airport coffee shop, they were connected. Waiting out the fog, they talked like old friends. When her plane was called, he carried her bag to her boarding gate.

A question in her eyes, she said, “Wow, Chicago and Dallas – talk about two people going in opposite directions.”

Light flared in his eyes. She didn’t want this to end either. He traced one gentle finger down her cheek.

“Opposite today … but not always, I think.”

The light in her eyes leaped to his, just as the boarding line began moving.

His next words a promise: “I will see you again, Joy.”

~~~

To join in the fun, hop over to Rochelle’s site: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/8-february-2013/

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups — Week 76 — ‘Beneath The Surface’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week Julia gave us a word prompt for our 100-word challenge:
“… beneath the surface …”

100 WORD CHALLENGE LOGOIf you’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, you can visit Julia and get all the rules at this link:
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week76/

My imagination led me in the direction of poetry this time, and I found that it’s much harder work to get poetry to come out right with such a short word limit. But it was fun trying, and I managed to make it in 102 plus Julia’s 3. 

BENEATH THE SURFACE

While browsing antique shops, I made a great find!
Unearthed a rare treasure. Never saw one in kind.

An elegant bowl, with a handle and lid;
Beneath so much tarnish, it’s true beauty hid.

Though black with the ages, I hugged it to me;
Beneath the surface, silver glory I could see.

Polished and rubbed to a radiant glow,
On party buffet my prize purchase would show.

It gleamed and it glowed, holding punch the next day,
When – horror of horrors – I heard a guest say:

“Heaven help us! Is this the best silver you’ve got?
I’ll not drink my punch from an old chamber pot!”

~ ~ ~

Friday Fictioneers — February 1 — As It Was In The Beginning

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, I am waaaaaaay out in left field on this week’s challenge.  It was fun getting here, but I don’t have enough words to get back.  This piece is definitely “stream of consciousness” writing.

Here’s the photo prompt that Rochelle gave us — courtesy of Claire Fuller, who created the sculpture and took the photo.

/copyright-Claire Fuller

AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING

“Well, now, let’s have a look at this piece that has you so distressed, Maryann,” said Professor Rousseau, lifting the scarf that covered his student’s newest sculpture. His gasp of pleasure was audible. Then for several minutes, he stood silent. Finally he spoke, never taking his eyes from the work.

“Tell me again what you told me on the phone.”

“I … I sculpted the man’s head yesterday. I could feel it wasn’t finished, but I couldn’t seem to do anything else with it. So I went to bed. This morning, when I went into the studio to take another look at it … the woman’s head was there as well … and his hand on her head protectively … as you can see.”

The Professor smiled. “Aaahh, yes. I can see that the words of the Original Artist still hold true: “It is not good for man to be alone.”

~~~

To join in the fun visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ site here:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

Friday Fictioneers — January 25 — A Place That Knew Him

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, Friday Fictioneers is rapidly becoming a habit.  There are such wonderful writers out there who take part in this challenge. It’s an honor to be able to work with them on the same material each week, and it’s a privilege to see how wide and far-reaching the creativity can be when so many talented people look at the same photograph and set their imaginations free.

Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields is the hostess of this challenge, and if you’d like to join in the fun, you can find out all about it at her site:  http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/25-january-2013/

Now on to the challenge for this week:  The photo is the work of Renee Homan Heath and is copyrighted to her.  You will find my story below the photo.

Copyright-Renee Homan Heath

A PLACE THAT KNEW HIM

This weathered boardwalk felt familiar to him. So familiar that his feet tread the boards firmly and deliberately, as if they knew exactly where he was going and what he’d find at the end.

Yes … he definitely felt he was headed for a place he knew – a place that knew him.

He stopped beneath the palm, scanning the white beach, enjoying the way the turquoise waves teasingly caressed it. Yes … familiar ….

Just a dozen more steps now … and he would remember. He knew it. All the memories he’d been futilely chasing since the accident would coalesce at this shoreline.

He would remember!

~ ~ ~

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups — Week #74 — Freezing

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Julia’s new challenge this week can be found at this link:100 WORD CHALLENGE LOGO
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week74/

The prompt is the phrase:    “… the extreme weather meant …”

Here’s my contribution:

FREEZING

“Dr. Corbet, from the U.S. Natural Disaster Center, is at the news conference to bring us up to date on what the extreme weather meant this past week. Dr. Corbet, what’s the latest report?”

“Unfortunately, the reverse-magnetic dome forming around the earth is growing thicker and cutting off more sunlight every day. We’re getting hourly reports now from our scientists in all sectors. As of one hour ago, thermometers in New York registered 40 below zero, Fahrenheit, and thermometers at the equator registered zero.”

“So you’re saying ….”

“I’m saying the human race has about 3 weeks to live.”

~~~

Friday Fictioneers – 1/18/13 – ‘Survivors?’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Below is my offering for this week’s ‘Friday Fictioneers’ Challenge from Rochelle. You can check out the challenge and learn how to take part at this link: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/18-january-2013/

ROCHELLE'S PHONE PHOTO
PHOTO PROMPT — Copyright Michelle Wisoff-Field

SURVIVORS?

She was about to polish the menorah when the phone rang.

“They’re coming!  They’re two blocks east of you!  Run!  Hide!”

Cold, paralyzing terror washed through her.  She screamed for Susan.

She came, still holding her crayons.  “What, Mama?”

“We have to leave, Honey.  Right now!”  Coats, scarves, her pittance of money . . . .

“But, Mama –“

“Right now!  Don’t argue!”  Trembling violently, she dragged Susan out the door.

She’d tried to believe it wouldn’t come to them.  “Oh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, please, please deliver us . . . .”