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Sue Spitulnik

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Flash Fiction

Lexi ‘s Baby Is Born

The day after finding Emma’s “lost” book, Lexi called Tessa. “Mom, my water broke. Can you take me to the hospital and keep Emma? I’ll call Adam and have him meet me there.”

“Of course,” Tessa answered.

***

That evening Harrison Michael let the world know he had strong lungs. When told his name, Michael nearly fell over. With tears in his eyes, he hugged the new parents. “That’s quite the honor. One I didn’t expect.”

Lexi looked adoringly at him. “Our son deserves the name of the grandfather who will nurture him just like he does our Emma.”

Written in response to Charli Mills June 13, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about fathers in general, or a specific father. You can use different names — Papa, Daddy, Fabio. What is significant about a father? Write an homage, rant, comedy, tragedy, or anything in between. Go where the prompt leads!

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Emma’s Lost Book

Lexi was folding clothes when Emma came out of her bedroom. “Mama, my book is lost.”

“Is it lost, or did you hide it in its safe place again?”

“I hided it.”

“Then it is not lost; it’s hidden.”

“No, Mama. I tried gettin’ it, an’ it’s gone. You look.”

“It’s hard for Mama to look under your dresser with her big belly. Can you wait for Daddy?”

“Noooo.”

Lexi sighed, “I’ll get the flashlight.”

Once in Emma’s bedroom, Lexi got down on all fours, then crouched so her head was on the floor and butt in the air.

Part 2

“I can see your book, way back in a corner. Please get me the yardstick.”

Emma ran out of the room but didn’t come back.

Lexi’s belly was pushing on the floor, and her knees hurt, so she rolled onto her side. Now she could hear Emma talking and deduced Adam was home. She yelled, “Help.”

Adam carried Emma, who was giving him his welcome home hug. When he saw Lexi, he exclaimed, “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I was trying to get her book. Now I’m stuck.”

“You look it.” Grinning, he took her photo with his phone.

Written in response to Charli Mills June 6, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a lost book (or many). What is the book’s significance? Who lost it, or who found it? How does this element fit into a poem, memory, or a specific genre? Go where the prompt leads!

5

Water Games

The No Thanks crew took some new friends kayaking. Arriving at the lake, they found there were ten seats available and twenty guys, so they paddled in shifts. The first group came back. “We saw a beaver, and it even slapped the water with its tail at us.”

The second group set out, and when they returned, everyone was soaked to the skin. Michael asked, “Did you all tip over?”

Laughter erupted. “No, we never spotted the beaver, so we made up a game slapping  the water with our paddles, and this happened.”

The first group demanded another trip.

Written in response to Charli Mills May 30, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a beaver slap. It can be an actual tail slap warning on the water or an imitation. Is a beaver slap the name of something — a new type of burger, perfume, or a sci-fi gadget? Take ecological and poetic licenses. Go where the prompt leads!

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New England Colors of Hope

A yellow sun, blue sky day

Purple, orange, and white crocus bloom

Hope for a warm spring

Children laughing, playing on new-mown grass

Green, everything is green for a time

Hope for a good harvesting season

The yellow and green squash and beans

The pink and orange-centered melons

The cucumbers and golden onions

The gold, red, and yellow leaves of autumn

The red geranium continues to bloom

Hope for a good hunting season

Skies turn grey, and the sun hides

White snow falls

Hope for an exhilarating ski season

The snow is again melting

And purple crocus burst forth

Written in response to Charli Mills April 24, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about the color of hope. Who is in need of hope and why? How can you use color to shape the story? Pick a color, any color. Go where the prompt leads!

3

The Black Eye Warning

Emma Blossom patted Rainbow on her head, then on the butt, a little too hard. The cat thumped her tail and gave the child a black stare. Emma ran to the kitchen, tugged on Tessa’s pants, “Gramma, Rainbow’s eyes turned black.”

Tessa looked at Emma. “Rainbow’s eyes turn black when she’s excited or angry. What were you doing?”

“Just pettin’ her.”

“Were you being rough?”

“Noooo.”

“Let’s go see.”  Emma repeated her movements, too young to falsify.

Rainbow lifted her head, eyes turning black. She jumped off the couch and ran.

“Emma, Rainbow likes pets, not smacks.”

“OK, Gramma.”

Written in response to Charli Mills April 17, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story of something/someone dark-eyed. What could be a dark-eyed situation? Or is it a dark-eyed beauty? A dark-eyed junco? Maybe it’s a futuristic piece of technology. Go where the prompt leads!

2

Off the Grid – Parts 2 and 3

The policemen, still in the car, looked at the growling dog. “You mind leashing that.”

“Beast. Heal.” The dog ran to the man and sat, quiet. “Stay.”

The police got out of the car. One said, “Are you a veteran?”

“Yup. One tour in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.”

“How about the dog?”

“Yup. Now he’s a stud to my ex- old-lady’s bitch. I take the pups I think are trainable, and she sells the rest.”  

“You have any visitors we might be interested in meeting?”

“At first.” He whistled one note. Three more dogs charged out of the RV.

***

The policemen flinched.

The veteran held his hand to his side, palm facing Beast. The three other dogs stopped short and sat behind Beast. “Folks don’t like my pack.”

“I can see why. Do you have permission to be here?”

“Yup. It’s my ex-in-laws property.”

“Can we look inside?”

“Nothin’ to hide. ” He added, “Beast. Down.” His dog and the three trainees hunched down.

One policeman went into the RV and soon came back out. “Looks good.”

The veteran smiled. “I could donate one of the pups to ya.”

“You would?”

“We’re on the same side, guys.”

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