Flash Fiction | Susan's Place

Jun 9

Ocean Waves – Flash Fiction

This week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch is: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that makes a big splash. It can be fluid, or you can play with the idiom (to make a big splash is to do or say something that becomes unforgettable). Go where the prompt leads!

June 6 flash

The waves were splashing against the shore and it was the perfect time for bodysurfing. Sandy just needed to get out a little farther to ride them in. What she wasn’t expecting though was that there was a strong undercurrent and on her second ride in, down she went, under the water, the undertow dragging her across the sand. She felt as if she was about to drown and knew she had to fight her way back to shore. Disorientation caused Sandy to stay underwater not knowing that she was close to shore until she bumped into another person.

©Susan Zutautas 2019

May 21

5 Comments

What Happened Here?

A flash fiction story about a break-in.

The Tree Fort

A 99 word flash fiction using tree as the prompt.

Growing Older – Flash Fiction

Joan was the lively one with the most energy in her group of friends but lately it seemed she was starting to slow down.

Partying was no longer her choice for a fun evening. Now content to stay home and watch TV. She never dreamt she’d see this day come when she was younger.

Getting up in the morning some days were painful on her joints. She could no longer kneel on the floor let alone sit on the floor like she always did before. Afraid that if she got down, she’d never get back up.

Growing older sucks.

©Susan Zutautas 2019

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

May 11

10 Comments

A Dogs Perspective Of Growing Old

When I was a puppy, we’d play every day

Now that I’ve grown older, lie down is what you say

I’d still love to fetch a ball even though I’m ten

A few years ago, I was your best friend

I hope I’m not too old for you, and you get a younger pup

Get rid of me because I’m old and you think I’m fed-up

Dogs do grow older every day

Please oh please don’t send me away

I have arthritis in my hips, but I still want to play

Let’s go outside and have some fun today

©Susan Zutautas 2019

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

May 11

5 Comments

How Did I Get This Old – Flash Fiction

Growing older

Growing wiser

Kids are grown and gone

Bones are aching

Back is breaking

Arthritis settling in

Many memories to enjoy

When I can remember them

Retired early

Now I’m squirrely

But writing is my thing

Gray hairs are abundant

Get new ones every day

Always looking forward

To the month of May

Cataracts developing

Sight is getting worse

I really think the eye doctor

Put on me, a curse

Look forward to my naps

Each day at three

If I didn’t have them

I’d be cranky as can be

So, let it be told

I am old

©Susan Zutautas 2019

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

May 4

12 Comments

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.

Apr 27

11 Comments

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.”

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.

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.