Flash Fiction | Susan's Place

Dec 5

10 Comments

Tall Tales Flash Fiction

Image by Monika Schröder from Pixabay

Mama, Mama, my finger hurts, cried Bobby.

Let’s have a look at it. Oh, a little splinter, we must get that out before it festers.

How?

I’ll need my tweezers and magnifying glass but first, we’ll put a little rubbing alcohol on it.

That’s gonna hurt. I think I’ll just keep the splinter.

If we don’t get it out of there it will travel through your body.

Bobby giggles.

Once in your bloodstream, it will travel to your heart and kill you.

Bobby gasps.

Years later, when he was a doctor he’d smile whenever he thought of that splinter.

Nov 23

8 Comments

Meg and Ian Flash Fiction

Flash Nov 21

Meg, in a daze, was reminiscing about the first time Ian said, “I love you,” She got butterflies, felt intoxicated, and for the first time in her life without a doubt knew he was the one.

Not being able to sleep Meg got up, put on coffee, and ran a hot bath for herself. In ten hours, her life was about to change. Passionate love filled her heart.

Getting dressed, Meg heard her father’s voice and then a light tap at the door. “Come on Hun, I need to get you to the church on time. Are you ready?”

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This was written for November 21st’s Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less), write a romance.

Nov 15

22 Comments

Winter Fun – Flash Fiction

This was written for a 99-word flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

November 14, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using storm windows. It can be literal on a house, but also consider other portals, even spaceships or submarines. Can you make it into something new or build a story around something historical? Go where the prompt leads!

Nov 14 flash fiction

Winds were horrendous, snow squalls blinded my vision and I was cold to the bone. Couldn’t get the furnace relit and I was afraid the pipes would soon freeze. I had to get outside to turn the handle for the water. Why it was outside was puzzling.

Bundling in my winter outerwear I made it around the corner of the house, wet, heavy snow sticking to my toque and eyelashes.

Underfoot I felt something slippery and looked down trying to see what it was. Then I heard a crack. So, here’s where that storm window went. Dammit, always something.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

Nov 1

15 Comments

Day of the Dead – Flash Fiction

Oct 31 ff

Hey Joe, Day of the Dead will soon be here, and I am looking forward to the festivities. It will be nice to see my loved ones that are left.

I’m not sure that I’ll recognize anyone, but I’ll go with you, it’ll be fun.

You know that they’ll have all our favorite dishes there, don’t you?

Ah yes, the aromas from the foods are quite appetizing. Only wish we could sample them.

Joe, how many people do you think will be here?

If you count all the live people in town and us dead ones, quite a few.

This flash fiction, 99 words, was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

Sep 30

16 Comments

Sad To Be Forgotten – Flash Fiction

Sept 26 Flash Fiction

Talking to her aunt about Sunday dinner Meg was a little concerned about her grandmother because Aunt Jenny told her she wasn’t herself lately.

Sunday arrived and Meg was a few minutes late.

Grandma was there and seated at the dinner table. Meg thought she looked perfectly fine and maybe her aunt had been mistaken. Meg greeted her with a hug and then sat down at the table.

Cousin Sandy sat next to Meg and during dinner, grandma spoke up asking, “Sandy, is this your new boyfriend?”

“No, it’s Meg, your granddaughter, you remember.”

Grandma sat there looking confused.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This short story is written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about someone unremembered. Is it a momentary lapse or a loss in time?

Sep 23

8 Comments

A Brief Encounter – Flash Fiction

Sept 19 flash fiction

The sun was shining and there was a soft breeze coming off the lake. I’d laid the blanket down on a grassy knoll. Thinking, tis perfect for a picnic.

When Pat arrived, I had everything set up from the wine, pate, cheese, and crackers to a few slices of pecan pie.

I suppose I should feel guilty, meeting a married man and all but hell it was just a little lunchtime picnic that turned into three hours.

We talked, we laughed, we flirted and then Pat told me he was leaving his wife.

Not the encounter I was expecting.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This flash fiction was written for Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about an interlude. It can be a pause between two key moments, the pause between acts in a play, an intermission, or a temporary amusement Go where the prompt leads you!

Sep 23

7 Comments

Broken Glass – Flash Fiction

Image by Paul Barlow from Pixabay

I thought of the glimmer Ash had in his eyes when I asked him what he had up his sleeve. His giggle sounded like nervous laughter. Then I heard a faint little bark and my skin felt like it was going to crawl, and I hated the idea that my eyes might swell, as I was allergic to dogs. Why would Ash bring a dog into my sanctuary when he knew this?

I had to get some fresh air, so I headed outside. Sitting down in my Muskoka chair I looked up to admire all the cumulous clouds that were floating around. This was my place of harmony.

Ash followed me outside and apologized. He asked if we could just sweep this under the rug and then we both heard a smash. There was broken glass everywhere.

This was written for Wordle #151. Using the following words write a story.
1. Broken Glass
2. Ash
3. Glimmer
4. Swell
5. Sleeve
6. Sanctuary
7. Bark
8. Giggle
9. Skin
10. Cumulus Clouds
11. Harmony
12. Sweep

Sep 16

13 Comments

The Old Post Office

Tama66 at Pixabay.com

This once busy post office now stood deserted and the building was for sale. I recall when mother worked here, said it was her favorite job other than taking care of dad and me. Truth be known it was her only job but that job put a roof over our heads and food on the table. Dad, was a good provider until he took sick and mother had to be the breadwinner.

I stood back and pondered the idea of buying the place and opening up a book store. If it were mine I would keep the structure the same and keep as much of the interior as possible. A little elbow grease, some sanding, and painting would spruce the place up immensely. The floors were solid oak and could easily be refinished. The pigeon holes where the mail once went would be perfect to hold books. The windows were old and part of the history of the building so they would stay.

That was it, I was sold on the place and would head to the bank first thing Monday morning to arrange for a business loan.

This was written for Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #32.

Aug 29

13 Comments

It’s All in the Clicks – Flash Fiction

flash fiction Aug 29

“I know how to do this, just be quiet”, Mary said to Pete as she listened intently with her stethoscope up against the safe’s dial.

Stopping briefly, Mary said to Pete, “It should only take a few more tries to break this baby.

Frightened as a rabbit Pete replied, “I sure hope so, we’ve been here almost an hour. I need to see my fathers will”.

Hearing the clicks, carefully turning the dial clockwise and counterclockwise, then back again, she knew she had it.

“Voila, Pete. I’ve never met a safe that I couldn’t crack. Dad would be proud”.

This was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch.

99 Words.

Aug 22

18 Comments

Recipes Passed Down

Flash Fiction August 22 shortbread

Every year at Christmastime Meg’s grandmother who was from Paisley Scotland would make shortbread.

Shortbread was an expensive luxury at one time and was usually only made for special occasions.

It is said that these rich delicious biscuits date back to the 12^th century.

Meg would watch intently as her grandmother carefully measured out flour, icing sugar, and of course the butter. Into a big bowl, the ingredients would go, and the hand beating with force would begin.

Ever since her grandmothers passing Meg has carried on with her traditional recipe and bakes many batches of them at Christmas.

This is written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about old-world charm. It can be nostalgic or irreverent. You can invent an “old world,” return to migrant roots or recall ancient times. Go where the prompt leads you!