flash fiction – authoranonblog

Grape Juuuice

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

“Uggghh.” Janey’s fingers left long claw marks in the hot sand around her.
As the sun beat down on her bare legs the scent of burning flesh tickled her nose.
“Ugghh … grape … juice …” In all of her five years she had never been so thirsty.

“Janey!” A mirage of her older sister appeared; just like the movies. “Mom said to sit up. You’re taking up too much room in the sandbox.”
Hana dropped a bottle of water into the sand beside her younger sister. Janey flopped onto her back, “Grape juuuice.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers, Janey.”

Word Count: 99
Word/Phrase: “Beggar’s can’t be choosers”
For Carrot Ranch and a reappearance of the sisters that appeared in this story

Love Spell

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

“Dear Ana,
My love for you burns brighter than a thousand suns. I would walk through fire for you. You would never wonder where my heart lies. Please Ana, be mine.
Yours eternal,
Marco”

Ana rolled her eyes. This was the third one this week.

All she wanted was a trip to the mall. Her ever pious mother refused and took her to antiques roadshow instead. She bought her an old rusty teapot.

It was better than expected, but when she told the genie she wanted love spell to wear she meant the perfume.

“Marco,
No.
Don’t write again.”

Word Count: 99, per the rules
Word/Idea: Fire
For the prompt at Carrot Ranch

friday fictioneers

Gathering Place

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

You always said the kitchen was our gathering place.

“Over fine food families are saved.”

We’ve finally begun washing away the smoke gathered on your plates. Odds and ends scavenged from charred remains gather dust among piles of bills. There’s a bill for every emotion it seems but our payment for grief falls short.

In your absence we gather under your favorite tree. We try to laugh but they burn our lungs on the way out, so we stand and pretend. Maybe we believe you’ll turn the corner, picnic basket in hand. Maybe if we just squint a little harder …

Word Count: 100
For Friday Fictioneers, many thanks to Rochelle for herding us in.

flash fiction

Fire Starter

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

I walked my dog here from the time the rain smelled of flowers through heated summer pains. We grew old here, grey hairs cropping up like pine needles. Soon we were covered with avalanches of them, prickly and sticky like aches and pains. Needles gave way to winters and snows heavy with human sorrow.

I had my first kiss here when birds were still quiet against the rising sun. He rested his hand on my cheek. He told me it would be alright. We planned a wedding through the morning dew and afternoon rays. But when the evening breeze came it left no remains. In the dark they strangled what we thought we had. By midnight it was just me and the needles, alone again.

I find myself in this place, over and over, shuffling dying fire starter from one memory to another. There’s smoke in the distance; the smell of burning dreams. I wonder what’s the cost to catch it all aflame and dissolve into the night, a waft of regret on the scent of what remains.

Word Count: 178
For Sunday Photo Fiction – This might as well have been partially written by Dirty Three (seriously, I’ve been on a binge)

friday fictioneers

Modern Gods

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

The fates decided to mechanize after Atropos, a little overwhelmed with the increasing demands of the job, had her “spree”.

“Well, there were too many of them anyway.” She dismissed the fragmented lives with a sweep of her hand.

Clotho agreed, “I don’t think I’ve had a break in a few thousand years. They reproduce like rabbits.”

“I’ve heard talk that machines can replace gods.” Lachesis reminded her sisters.

“I’d cut their strings too if I could.”

Clotho shushed the old women, “This is insanity. If Zeus can use Tinder we can have a machine to spin thread.”

Word Count: 98
For Friday Fictioneers – I made it on Friday! Click the link to read the rules and more flash fiction.

flash fiction, Word Prompt

12 to 32

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

“When’s the last time you took a bath?”
“A what now?”
“A bath? You know, you take a bath, use a bath bomb, read, stuff like that.”
“Read? In the bath?”
“Yeah. When’d you last do that?”
“You been cruising Pinterest and self care memes?”
“So what if I have.”
“I’m sorry to break this to you but it’s showers only around here unless I accidentally spill a bucket of water on myself.”
“But why?”
“Because last time I took a bath it lasted 12 minutes and I was interrupted 32 times.”
“What? When? Who did that?!”
“Yeah! It was you!”

Word Count: 99
Word/Phrase: Bucket of Water (kind of liberal here)
My kid loves to relax in baths, she doesn’t quite get why I don’t do it too. A literal slice of life for carrot ranch.

friday fictioneers

First Date

Posted on March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 by Kelley Farrell

“Do you think they’ll let us go around again? Just look at the view!” Tom moved from side to side taking in the sparkling city lights.

Jane’s nails dug into the seat. She clamped her knees together, maybe that would keep her legs from shaking off.

“Tom, please just sit still. You’re making the car swing.”

His date was stiff as a board. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

“God, I wonder if this car can shake as much as you are?” He laughed when she shrieked. “I’m just kidding. Hey, maybe we can do this again on the second date.”

Word Count: 100

For Friday Fictioneers (I’m late, I’m late!). Click on the InLinkz below to read more.