Carrot Ranch FFC – Nourish

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Grandma Jones was sitting in the porch swing, swaying back and forth, lulling herself to sleep. The comforting movement initiated dreams of bygone days. Nourishing warmth and sunshine reminded her of joining her mother on trips to the blackberry patch. The cultivated blackberry bushes yielded huge berries and they made quick work of jams and juice.

This particular memory was so vivid she woke from her dreamlike state. She and her mother were not the only visitors to the berries. Her mother suddenly grabbed her shoulder and motioned to be quiet as they back stepped out of the patch.

***

99 words

https://carrotranch.com/2020/05/07/may-7-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

Fandango’s Friday Flashback 5-8-17

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

The Secret Keeper and Daily Prompt Temporary

It was supposed to be a temporary solution. Her parents would accept him and her life would get back to normal. With them in full view, he opened the box and presented her with the ring. She had planned this from the beginning, and it was working out well.

“What a rock!” exclaimed her father, never hiding his enthusiasm for his daughter’s wealthy friend. Now that he was to be her fiancé, he couldn’t contain his glee. Her mother also couldn’t have put on a better act.

Barely able to contain her greediness, she coyly replied, “Oh, Henry, don’t be so boorish, mind your manners!” The mother’s eyes were mesmerized at the size of the stone. Could it be real, she wondered, and how much was it worth? She sat by her daughter on the divan and looked lovingly at the young man. It wouldn’t hurt to act adoringly.

She knew this type of ring would end her parents’ constant plea for her to marry, and hopefully provide them with an income. They had always depended on her and she was done with that life. If she had to use the boy to accomplish her plan, so be it.

Everything seemed on schedule, her flirtation, seeming adoration of the young man, the secret rendezvous, the seduction; all planned perfectly, coming to fruition. He was young, he’d find another. She was perfectly happy being by herself. She had the experience of clinging, needy parents, too lazy to take care of themselves. This was a way out, to be finally free from encumbrances.

The wedding took place immediately. Not being the romantic sort, it was shortly, deftly done at the courthouse. No special dress, or flowers, only court provided witnesses, and the deed was completed.

Her parents were anxiously seeking their part of the “reward”, and would remain so, for her intention was to keep them waiting. After a brief honeymoon period and what she thought was an appropriate length of time, she began taking trips away, using her job as an excuse. You may think her husband was a dolt, but he was just completely in love with this facade of a woman.

Everything going as planned, she sat down to the desk in the hotel room. She was confident enough time had passed and time she admitted the ruse.

An odd thing happened as she began writing the farewell letter to her husband. She noticed a feeling filling her, unexpected and unwanted. Tears started to flow, and she angrily wiped them away. She held the pen tighter, determined to say goodbye. Every time she tried to write his name, something compelled her to stop. And tears, more than she had ever known, for she was not sentimental. She was tough, had to be. She was just using him and that was that, nothing else.

She couldn’t write the letter. She furiously packed her bags and flew home on the next available flight. She let the taxi driver bring the bags, she was so anxious to see him, tell him she really loved him after all. She would admit the trick and beg his forgiveness, ask for a new start. She ran into their apartment.

As soon as she opened the door, she noticed the lights were off, but thought he was probably watching the television and pictured him alone and sad in the bedroom. She opened the door to find he was more than fine, not at all sad, but orgasmically entwined in a sexual embrace. He didn’t actually see her or hear the door open, but his partner did. He rolled over at her insistence, and said the first thing that came to mind, “Home early?”

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/temporary/
Weekly Writing Prompt #88

***

Fandango’s Friday Flashback — May 8

Writing?

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Trying to think of something new

Words that probably cause a few

Readers to say,

“What is that?

Did she pull this out of her hat?

Surely she must pursue

A better structure of word stew

There’s no outline, no accepted form,

She must have trouble with the norm.

Yes, I think she needs our advice

Heeding rules would be nice.”

She answers with a shrug and sigh–

“Who makes these rules and why

Would I change to suit others

Following rules is such a bother.”

***

https://cyranny.com/2020/05/07/new-word-of-the-day-challenge/?like_actor=102337606&like_hmac=3175c9a4506fd3cebe5d0ab944051628&postid=52913&like=1&source=sub_email

https://fivedotoh.com/2020/05/07/fowc-with-fandango-outline/#like-42678

MLMM Wordle 188

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Please cross my palm with a silver coin. My soi-distant garb has no lace, my soles are badly worn, but I still have the urge to survive, and continue to participate in the cradle of life, as a newborn in poverty. I would love to have stayed in my home, enjoyed the vision of bumblebees in my garden, but that sanctuary dream life is now abandoned. I have nowhere to wash off street residue in soapy water, no mask or gloves to protect me. A past reservation of asking for assistance is gone as I unwillingly skid into a new phase of life.

From the NYT:

***I realize this fictional story is nothing new in many parts of the world.

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/wordle-188-2/