Writing Challenge Day 14 - Seven Years from Now

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 14 - Your life in 7 years

The assignment was passed around the classroom.

"Where do you see yourself in seven years?"

Sheila had never really thought about her future. Life was all about making it through another day with her body and spirit intact. Avoid Mom when she's drinking, stay away from Dad when he's home.

She repeated the question again to herself. She heard other kids laughing and teasing each other.

"I'm gonna be a dancer on Broadway!"

"You'll be a dancer all right, but at my strip club! Hah!"

"I'm going to marry a rich doctor."

"There ain't no rich doctors, babe. They're all broke because of Obamacare."

"That's not true! Is it?"

Sheila stared at the blank paper and knew where she wanted to be. She wrote quickly before she let her mind tell her what she couldn't do.

Mrs. Thompson stood up. "Would anyone like to read theirs to the class? Remember, there's no right or wrong answer, just a thoughtful one."

Sheila took a deep breath and raised her hand. It was time to speak her truth, make things happen. The first step was to say it out loud. Mrs. Thompson nodded at her with a smile. "Go ahead, Sheila."

"Um, this is where I would like to be in seven years. After winning a full scholarship to Harvard University I will complete my law degree and graduate at the top of my class. I will set up a private practice and a non-profit organization to help abused teenagers become emancipated minors and find safe homes where they can study in peace and work toward their future careers, by helping them get full scholarships, too." She cleared her throat and sat down.

The room was silent. Mrs. Thompson wiped away a tear, obviously unable to speak. Finally, Brett tapped on her chair from behind. "I sure could've used that this year. I hope you make it happen, Sheila."

She smiled to herself. She would do her best. All she needed was the scholarship.

"Sheila, please see me after class. I think I may be able to help you out with part of that plan."

Sheila gasped. Was that all it took? "Ask and you will receive," she whispered.

Writing Challenge Day 13 - The Commute

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 13 - Your commute to and from work/school/etc.

The daily commute to school was a mind-numbing experience.

Martha arrived at the bus stop at precisely 7:05 am; the bus was always on time. At 7:15 am the doors hissed open and the kids filed on. The back seat was avoided by all but Martha, who was not interested in socializing. Being a Senior, she was too mature. While the other kids chatted and laughed and tossed papers back and forth, she stared out the back window.

It was always the same view, which was fine with her. It kept her mind off school. She enjoyed watching the scenery go by: Mr. Hadley's hardware store, Ms. Parker's beauty salon, Buster's soda shop, the police station, fire station, followed by fields and fields of cows or wheat or corn.

Nothing ever changed. The view was the same as the day before. Her eyes relaxed and she let the drone of the children's voices roll over her. A flash of light caught her peripheral vision. She turned toward it and saw what looked like a meteorite and a fiery tail off in the distance, maybe ten miles or so. She would mention it to Jonathan when she got to class. They could go exploring after school, since it was Friday. Imagine if they made some grand discovery together, perhaps get the meteorite named after them!

She kept her gaze on the distance while the bus slowed. Suddenly she was excited. It would not be just another day at Smallville High!

Writing Challenge Day 12 - Two Word Phrases

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 12 - Two word phrases that make you laugh

Actually this is a funny conversation consisting of only two word phrases.
--

I'm pregnant.

Say what?

Just kidding.

What the-?

April Fools!

Very funny.

Thought so.

Yeah right.

You mad?

Well, yes.

How come?

Wishful thinking.

I'm sorry.

No worries.

A baby?

Bad idea?

Maybe not.

Should we?

I'm game.

You are?

Why not?

Let's go!

Writing Challenge Day 11 - Relationship Blues

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 11 - Your current relationship

"Your current relationship sucks, Joseph!"

"Don't start, Deb." Joseph held his arm tight against his chest and watched the medical staff dash around the waiting room.

"Don't start? Don't START?!? How 'bout I finish it? Why the hell are you still in this mess? This is the third time I've brought you to the ER this year!"

Joseph sighed. His sister was right. He knew that. "You don't know what it's like out there, Deb. I don't want to go back to dating again. Maybe we can try couples counseling."

Deb snorted. "Like that'll ever happen."

"It might." Joe frowned. He knew he was kidding himself.

"You don't deserve this, little brother. You are a good man and you need someone who loves and appreciates you, not somebody who treats you like their personal slave."

"It's not like that," he lied.

"It's exactly like that!"

His sister was too smart for her own good. "I don't know what to do? We've been together for so long."

"Can you look me in the eye and tell me honestly that you are happy in this relationship?" She took his good hand and placed it against her cheek. Her eyes filled with tears.

Moment of truth. Joseph took a deep breath and searched his soul. Could he let this continue? Was this relationship worth saving? He shook his head and was surprised to feel his own tears roll down his face. "I deserve better."

"Yes, you do." She wiped his tears away and smiled sadly at him. "As soon as we get that arm fixed up we are packing up your stuff. David can find himself another boy toy."

Joseph nodded. He knew she was right, but the thought of going back into the dating pool made him queasy.

"By the way, when you're ready, I have someone I'd like you to meet."

"Who?"

Deb smiled. "His name is Charles and he works in my office. He saw your photo on my desk last week and his exact words were, 'Who's the cutie?'. When I told him you were my gay brother he lit up like the Fourth of July." She laughed.

Joseph smiled. Maybe ending things with David wouldn't be so hard after all.

Writing Challenge Day 10 - Bad Fruit

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 10 - A fruit you dislike and why

Young Gerald stared at the green and brown lumps stuck in between his cucumbers and tomatoes. The avocado looked slimy and mushy. He had watched his mother cutting it up as she prepared the salad. He had never tried this fruit, but his dad loved it. He sometimes sliced one open and ate it right out of the skin with a spoon.

Gerald pushed a lump around with his fork. It smelled like grass or mold, not very appetizing. He heard his mother clear her throat and looked up at her in wonder.

"Are you going to play with it all afternoon?"

"Do I have to eat it?"

"Yes, you do. Avocado is good for you. And you are a very lucky little boy to be getting such healthy food when there are children starving all over the world. Now say a prayer of thanks and eat."

Gerald took a deep breath, silently thanked God for this food and plopped the green chunk in his mouth. He bit down and the fruit mashed easily between his teeth. It had the consistency of thick mud and snot with some grass thrown in for flavoring. He nearly barfed into his bowl, but he managed to swallow. Barely. His stomach felt sick. "I don't like it, Mommy. Do I really have to eat it all? What if I just eat around the avocados? Daddy will eat them."

"Sweetie, just finish what's there and I promise you will never have to eat avocado again. But you should try it again when you're older because your tastes will change."

Gerald didn't think that would ever happen. He took a shaky breath and speared all the avocado pieces he could find onto his fork. At least he could eat them all first and then cover up the bad taste with the rest of his salad. He stared at the tower of green slime on his fork and opened wide. As soon as his mouth closed over the glop he could feel his tummy gurgle. He chewed slowly and tried to sit still. He thought about Superman eating avocado. His hero would have no problem overpowering these little green blobs. Gerald would be like Superman.

He sat up straight and put a serious scowl on his face as he chewed and chewed, but he just couldn't make himself swallow. He whimpered, feeling tears well in his eyes. Finally he jumped up from the table and ran to the bathroom just in time to spit out all the green goop before he threw up the rest of his meal.

Writing Challenge Day 9 - Ageism

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 9 - Your feelings on ageism

"What do you mean I'm too old to work here?" Since when was 60 old? That wasn't even retirement age! "I happen to be a huge music fan. I even have a web log."

"You mean a blog?" The young man behind the counter gave her a dubious stare.

"Right. Blog. That's what I meant. Been writing it for over twenty years now, back before they were even called blogs. I was an innovator, I tell ya. People copied my page, but I was one of the first music reviewers on the internet!"

"Okay, that's impressive I guess. But what do you know about pop music? And I'm not talking about The Beatles or Wham."

Trixie glared at the upstart. "You think just because I'm a little older than you I don't listen to Twenty One Pilots or Drake?"

The young man raised his eyebrows, making his piercing tug on his eyelid. Trixie shuddered. Kids today were so stupid! What if he fell and got that ring caught on something. He'd sure look mighty handsome staring at people like Batman's Two-Face. 

"Honestly I'm surprised you even know who those artists are." He paused for a moment before asking, "Who's your favorite artist from this year's Grammy winners?"

She shook her head at him. "Why not just ask me who my favorite kid is? Jeez!" She thought for a moment. She had written a review on the Grammy Awards show, but she always strived to keep her articles unbiased. "Hm, I suppose if I have to pick just one I would go with Ed Sheeran. That guy can do anything from ballads to rock and soul. Thinking Out Loud is my favorite song of 2015."

The young man nodded and smiled. "Ed Sheeran is my boy. Anybody who loves Ed is okay in my book."

"Gee, thanks. Does that mean I have the job?" 

"I think we can work together." He held out his hand. "Welcome to Record Shack."

Writing Challenge Day 8 - Good Book Bad Book

Flash Fiction Challenge Day 8 - A book you love and one you didn't

"Okay, ladies, we need to pick this month's group read. The top suggestions were Outlander by Gabaldon and Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Obviously just the first book from each series."

"Outlander!"

"Lord of the Rings!"

"Oh, god, don't make me read Tolkien."

"That's right, Janie only reads romance novels."

"Shut it, Rhea! I read other stuff. Sometimes."

"Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest stories ever told!"

"I'm not saying it isn't. I just found the book too long and boring. The movie was great, though. I will give you that."

"The movie didn't follow the books close enough!"

"Whatever! I still vote for Outlander. It's an exciting book from the very start. The show is pretty awesome, too."

"You just like all the sex scenes!"

"You know it, Natalie. Ha!"

"Okay, girls. Show of hands for Lord of the Rings? That's five votes. That leaves seven votes. Outlander wins, unless anyone has another choice? No more suggestions? Then we have our pick."

"Outlander, yeah!"