#CarrotRanch

The Teens Mature

Michael said to Tessa, “Remember Gaylan?”

“Of course. Back when, your father explained responsibility and rewards to him, and he became more trustworthy after that. Why?”

“He called and wants my input about his career path. I’m not sure how to respond when I still picture a reckless kid.”

Tessa chuckled. “It took me a while to look at Lexi as an adult, but when I realized she was acting and talking like a mother, it was easy to switch to dealing with a peer, not my child.”

“So, if I hear maturity, I’ll see maturity?”

“I believe so.”

Written in response to Charli Mills July 11, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a loving relationship with an adult child. What happens when a significant child in one’s life becomes an adult? Think beyond a son or daughter — a niece or nephew, a former student, a grandchild. How did the relationship shift? What is the importance of the new dynamic? Go where the prompt leads!

07/17/2023 0

A Letter of Complaint – Part 1

Dear Owner,

I heard your establishment specializes in Irish music. I traveled a distance for the music and hoped to meet other Irish folks. What I heard were patriotic and beer-drinking country songs and, finally, TWO Irish songs. I was disgusted.

I tried to find out your name and was told, Mac. Do you not have a first and last name? And the name of your establishment, “No Thanks Needed.” Do you not expect your patrons to say thank you? Maybe I shouldn’t have left a tip either.

My meal was good, but I won’t be returning.

Disheartened Lady

A Letter of Complaint – Part 2

Mac read the complaint letter and shook his head. He scribbled his response to purge the angry feelings that were boiling.

Lady,

Do you have a name? How about an address? Are you real?

Did you not see the large informative poster behind the bar?

Have you ever met a veteran before? Maybe you should search for someone with a military branch hat on and ask them what they did for our country.

Most people don’t know my first name because I don’t like it, so none of my employees would dare share it.

Get a life. Elsewhere!

Mac

Written in response to Charli Mills June 27, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story as a response to “we’ve received your complaint.” Who has received the complaint and why? How was the complaint delivered — with grace, humor, vitriol? Go where the prompt leads!

07/03/2023 0

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!

06/05/2023 0

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!

04/22/2023 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.”

04/13/2023 3

Off the Grid

The policeman watching a monitor said, “Look at this.” The others gathered around.

A drone was crisscrossing a square mile of desert, and a large RV was visible in the southeast quadrant. They zoomed in on it. “Could it be the meth lab we’ve been searching for?”

“Don’t think so. There’s a word on the RV roof. Looks like VETERAN.”

“Who’s wants t’go’ for a ride?”

***

The police approached slowly. A dog ferociously announced their arrival. A man appeared with his hands outstretched. “Just me and my dog, existing. Don’t like people, guns, or drugs. Welcome to look around.”

Written in response to Charli Mills April 3, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a dog in the desert. Why is the dog there? Who else is involved? Is there a deeper metaphor you can make for the desert? Go where the prompt leads!

04/08/2023 4