Flash Fiction | Susan's Place

May 4

No Lions Sleep Tonight – Flash Fiction

Kevin Pluck [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

One scorching sunny morning everyone gathered together by the Quiver tree, deep in the forest to discuss the shortage of food.

Leo starts the meeting with, “Good morning” to the pride.

“Tonight, we will go and hunt a zebra. I spotted a dazzle last night and if we’re quick and stealth there won’t be a problem.”

“Papa, papa, can I come too for the hunt?”, said Leo’s cub.

“Yes, I think it is a fine time for you to join us, time to develop your sisu.”

“Okay all, we’ll meet back here at dusk, don’t be late,” said Leo.

©Susan Zutautas 2019

This short story was written for a flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words no more, no less, write a story or poem using the word sisu.

Sisu is a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome.

Catching a Nap – Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction April 25th

Flopping down on the couch with pillow in tow, I knew I’d be asleep in no time at all. Hopefully Sandy would let me get an hour’s sleep or so before calling me. Exhaustion had kicked in and out I went.

I woke with a startle, looked up and saw Ian standing there.

“Oh no, I hope I didn’t wake you, Meg.”

“No, that’s okay I was just sneaking in a few zzz’s while your mom was resting. I should get up and check on her.”

“No, no, you stay put, I’ll tend to her for a few hours.”

© Susan Zutautas 2019

This is part 2 of my submission for this week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words, no more, no less, write a short story using the prompt word Exhaustion.

To read the first part of this flash: The Longest Days.

Apr 27

12 Comments

The Longest Days – Flash Fiction

Image by Michael Beckwith Pixabay

This week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to write a short story or poem (in 99 words, no more, no less) using exhaustion as your prompt.

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Meg never realized how fatiguing it would be being the main caregiver for Ian’s mother who’d fallen and broken her hip.

It had only been four days since she’d been released from hospital and Meg still had six to ten weeks of this to look forward to.

If there weren’t so many stairs in Sandy’s house it would be so much easier but at the same time, Meg knew she was helping someone and getting exercise.

On one trip Sandy said to Meg, “I’m so lucky to have you and so is Ian.”

That made all the exhaustion worthwhile.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

I wrote a second flash fiction this week that follows this one.
Catching a Nap.

Apr 11

26 Comments

That’s the Way It Is

Flash Fiction April 11

It’s flash fiction time again over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a short story using the phrase “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” To see more about this challenge head on over to the ranch. Hope to see you there.

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What’s for dinner Mom?

You won’t like my answer, but we are having roasted chicken, broccoli, rice, and a Caesar salad.

Oh great, chicken again. I hate chicken and you know that.

Chicken is what’s on sale this week, and you know that we don’t have a lot of money right now. It’s funny how you will eat Popeye’s chicken and Wild Wing but you give me a hard time every time I make it.

I don’t know why; I just don’t like homemade chicken. Never have.

You know what I always tell you, dear, beggars can’t be choosers.

© Susan Zutautas 2019

Apr 8

15 Comments

The Funeral Reception Room

A flash fiction short story describing a cold, gloomy reception room.

The Bonfire – Haiku-Style Poem

A 99 word, 9 stanza haiku-style poem about a bonfire.

Scared as Hell – Flash Fiction

Fire Flash Fiction

Sitting by the pool I looked up to see smoke coming out from our apartment window.

Panic-struck, I yelled, “Oh my God”, I’d left candles burning in my bedroom unintentionally.

Panic turned to terror then into shock thinking my step-mother would kill me for setting fire to our home.

A neighbour saw how stressed I was, grabbed me and took me into her apartment where she made me get into a cold shower and drink a straight shot of whiskey hoping that this would calm me down.

Everything turned out okay. My step-mother was happy that I was alright.

This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a short story or poem using “Fire” as the prompt.

Mar 29

23 Comments

The Leader of The Pack

March 28 Flash Fiction

From the day we brought Bruce home Maggie let him know that she was the leader of the pack.

It was sad to see how she showed her eminence over him. Bruce was such a laid-back kind of guy that we were never sure if this bothered him.

I’m sure they had this telepathic thing going on between them. Bruce would go to eat his food and Maggie would look over at him as if to say, “Leave it”. He’d not eat until she had left the room or until she started eating.

I suppose dogs have pecking orders.

This was written for a flash fiction over at Carrot Ranch. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a short story or poem using the word eminence.

Mar 22

33 Comments

Panic – Flash Fiction

flash fiction march 21

This week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch is to feature a bucket of water. In 99 words, no more, no less, write a short story or poem using a bucket of water as your prompt.

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Quick, quick, I yelled.

Where’s the bucket? Asked my son

It’s down in the basement by the washing machine.

Please just hurry up!

A candle that I’d left unattended for a few minutes had tipped over on the nightstand in my bedroom and had started a fire while landing on a book. All I could think was I could easily put it out before it spread.

Damn, I should have run and got the bucket of water myself.

Here, mom, I’ll toss the water on the fire for you.

Thank God it worked, just leaving an awful smoky smell.

Mar 16

11 Comments