Category Archives: Flash Fiction

December 17, 2015

Gone in a Flash

By Kat Myrman
RochelleFF18Dec15

PHOTO PROMPT- © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The hospice nurse had just left. Last night was not a good night.

Marion stood at the sink rinsing tea cups. It helped to do mundane things. She thought about her mom. They had spent many hours reminiscing, looking at old photo albums and laughing. That’s how she would remember…the two of them laughing so hard that their stomachs hurt.

The sun was rising and morning fog draped the edge of the garden. Marion was startled by a flash of light in the mist that looked like a woman dancing…laughing. When she turned, Marion knew.

“Oh Mama…I love you…goodbye…”

Kat – 17 December 2015

A flash of a story for Friday Fictioneers based on the photo prompt above. Thanks to Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields for hosting this weekly challenge. If you would like to read other stories or submit your own story, click HERE.

20 Comments | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction

December 15, 2015

Special Delivery

By Kat Myrman
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Photo Credit: pixabay.com

Charlie always saved Mrs. Delaney’s delivery for the end of the day. He had picked up the courier job when his roommate moved across country. You might say he inherited Mrs. Delaney too.

She was a regular customer. Every week her son Gordon sent a short note and cash for essentials, special delivery. Charlie learned that if he delivered the package later in the afternoon, he might get an invite to dinner or at least a cup of hot cocoa and some home-made cookies.

Mrs. Delaney was full in interesting stories about the “way things were before all this technology mumbo jumbo” as she would say.  Charlie didn’t have many friends in town. And Mrs. “D”? Well, most of her friends had passed on.

Some might consider them two of the lost invisible souls that so often go unnoticed in a big city. Though Charlie and Mrs. Delaney would never consider themselves lost…or invisible. After all, they had each other.

kat ~ 15 December 2015
(159 Words)

This story for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) weekly challenge was inspired by the photo above. If you would like to read other stories or join the challenge, click HERE.  Thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting the challenge.

38 Comments | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction

December 13, 2015

Green Man Goes PC

By Kat Myrman

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Photo Credit: Alistair Forbes of A Mixed Bag 2013

“Hey Red Man, have you heard? Seems we’re getting some company up here.”

“What do ya mean, company?”

“Well it seems we’re gonna be joined by some lady lights.”

“What? Whose idea is this? Since when do we need help?!”

“Well, you know how it is, all things being equal. Some folks think it’s time to be PC, as they say.”

“PC? It’s just gonna be distracting! Since when have you noticed that women don’t follow our direction! I say Stop…and you say Walk…and everybody follows right along. Everybody.”

“Well, I think it’ll be kinda nice, you know, having some company up here.”

“Not me. I’m perfectly capable of telling people to Stop! You mark my words, once those gals get a taste of the spotlight, they’ll be taking over.”

“Oh I don’t think that’ll happen. But you might as well get used to the idea. I hear the road crews are installing them to their posts next week.”

“You always see the bright side of things Green Man. Not me. They may be coming, but I don’t have to like it!”

kat – 13 December 2015
(184 Words)

This story is a dramatization of actual events in recent years. Several countries, in an effort to be more inclusive have considered changing the Green/Red Man signs with the addition of pigtailed, skirted Green/Red Women or gender neutral figures. Some have even combined both genders to show couples crossing or waiting, which has evolved into other variations. I’ve included a few photos of these other versions below:

Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting this week’s Sunday Photo Fiction.
Photo Credit A Mixed Bag 2013.  To read more stories or enter the challenge yourself click HERE.

 

24 Comments | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction, Social Issues

December 12, 2015

Candle in the Wind

By Kat Myrman

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/supinski/

It was an impossible situation. But what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t tell Terry the truth? 

Alone now at the cafe, she replayed their last conversation over and over in her mind. 

“Dannie, he’s asked me to marry him!” Beaming, Terry flashed the diamond solitaire on her left hand.

The size of the diamond was unimpressive, but that wasn’t the point. Danielle knew he was a scoundrel! How would she tell her friend that she had seen him out with another woman?

“Wow Terry! When did this happen? I take it you said yes?”

“Last night! At that lovely bistro downtown! Of course, yes…I said yes! He is everything I’ve ever wanted in a man…handsome, charming, considerate, with a good sense of humor. And you know what this means…you and I have wedding planning in our future! As my Maid of Honor….” Terry scowled, “What? What is that look? Spill it Dannie…I thought you’d be excited.”

There was no way around it. Danielle loved Terry like a sister. She couldn’t let her do this without knowing the truth. 

“Terry, you know I love you and I want you to be happy…” (Choose your words gently Danielle…) “I just…”

“Come on Dannie, what are you trying to say?”

“I just…I hate to have to tell you this…I don’t think John is who you think he is.”

“How can you say that?! We’ve been dating for over a year!”

“I know…it’s just that…well, I was in the plaza last weekend, and I saw John with this woman…”

“I’m sure you’re mistaken! It was probably a client. He does that…takes his clients to dinner to celebrate closing a deal…”

“No Terry, this was no client…he was WITH her. I’m so sorry.”

“Well! You should be sorry! You’re just jealous! You never liked John! I thought you were my friend!” Terry’s voice escalated to a shrill until everyone in the cafe was watching. “Well…just forget it. I don’t need you in my wedding!” Terry stormed out.

The other patrons returned to their conversations. Danielle’s tea grew cold. It was an impossible situation. But what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t tell Terry the truth…

Truth is like a candle in the wind for those who refuse to see it.

kat ~ 12 December 2015

A story in response to Ronovan Writes Friday Fiction Challenge. If you’d like to read more click HERE.

This week’ prompt required selecting a favorite song and using the title as the story title. The hardest part for me was selecting a favorite song! But I finally found my muse…Sir Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind”.  

19 Comments   |  tags: | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction

December 9, 2015

Best Laid Plans…

By Kat Myrman

 

PHOTO PROMPT © Luther Siler

 
Lauren had planned the perfect birthday party for her precious Megan. 

At two, Megan was all about birds! Big birds, little birds, ducks and even chickens! She loved cockadoodle-dooing!

The guests had all arrived. Lauren’s brother Joe waited in the kitchen dressed in a rooster costume. 

Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” and Joe came in with the cake. Megan let out a blood curdling, terrified scream. Joe quickly lost the suit! 

It wasn’t the response Lauren had hoped for. After that day it was understood, Megan liked her birds safely captured inside the pages of her books, not bigger than life!

kat ~ 9 December 2015

(100 Words)

This story my entry in Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers 100 Word Story Challenge for December 11th. If you would like to read other stories or enter your own, click HERE.

29 Comments | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction