Week 413 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we close in on the end of our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Mike Fisher for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Patty Dump | @pattydump1
- Joe Hesch | @JAHesch
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Elizabeth Muñoz | @Chattmor
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
- Joel Sandersen | @jsandersen76
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Mike says: It was a pleasure to be this week’s judge, and special thanks goes out to Siobhan for this wonderful opportunity! I enjoyed reading all the excerpts from such talented writers! You brightened my day and provided a break from the monotony of life under quarantine. You all made good use of such a poignant and relatable prompt in your stories.
Honorable Mentions
Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Mike says: A very interesting story, and I like how you use the prompt to represent an awkward family reunion. I think everyone can relate to this! I mean who doesn’t have family issues? I also like how you incorporate the prompt into the dialogue. It made me wonder how the reunion would unfold.
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Mike says: Great use of the prompt in dialogue, and the story involving COVID-19 makes it so engaging! So many stories revolving around the pandemic will surely emerge when this all over! Very amusing that Mr. Slig would return to Ms. Collins dwelling with social distancing in place. I started to believe that he was stalking her as the Lieutenant pointed out.
Mark A. Morris
Mike says: This story carried poignancy throughout, and I could feel the main character’s unease about the place. Very nice how the prompt comes at the end! He kept his word yet it seemed like he wanted to change the unnaturalness about the place. It makes you care about the character.
winner announcement
Week 413 Winner
Mike says: A town without even a mom-and-pop place nor a gas station? Wow! It brought back the memories of the city I taught English in Poland; it didn’t have a Starbucks and it had a fully-functioning airport but no commercial flights! I felt the special connection between him and Bonnie, and excellent use of the prompt! It made me think that he really didn’t like this town to make such a bold statement to her. What really struck me was the prompt would likely haunt him after the funeral. Poignancy was in the story from start to finish!
Everything comes full circle, I suppose. Perhaps everyone does too.
The first town I lived in didn’t have a stop light, or a school, but it had a Southern Baptist church. It didn’t have a McDonald’s, or Taco Bell, not even a mom and pop place, or a gas station. It wasn’t even a town, being unincorporated.
My family lived there until I was 12. That’s when Dad went stupid, and Mom left him, and took me to Jackson with her. That’s when I said goodbye to Bonnie.
Bonnie lived next door. She was cute as cute gets, with amazing red hair I got caught staring at too many times. We’d been friends as long as either of us could remember, and we’d never thought our friendship would end.
Until Dad went stupid, and Mom and I moved.
The night before we left, I took a walk with Bonnie. Mom told me, “She’s your friend, you need to say good-bye.” That night was when Bonnie kissed me. We had no idea how kisses worked, but she kissed me anyway, and held my hand as we walked.
The next morning I went next door, and said good-bye to Bonnie. She asked me to write, and to come visit someday. “Mom cried herself to sleep last night.” I told her. Then, I told her I wouldn’t come back here again.
And I never did. Until now. For Bonnie’s funeral.
Everything does come full circle, you know.
Everything.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Eight Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Katheryn, Bill, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
