Week 416 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Cara Michaels 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:
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Mark A. Morris
- Patty Dump | @pattydump1
- Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
- Mary Ann Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Marci Baun | @MarciBaun
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Rose Sharon Sogioka | @SSogioka
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Joel Sandersen | @jsandersen76
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
- Kaylee Haynes
Honorable Mentions
Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Cara says: “I’ve never casually discussed murder before…” Love this closing line that wraps up the quiet intensity of the moment.
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Cara says: LMAO, Bill. If we’re all still doing this in 2062… Well, there are far worse fates than the Thursday Threadmill.
Joel Sandersen | @jsandersen76
Cara says: This is so cute. And true. Quarantine can’t keep us from adventure. All we need is a story and some imagination.
winner announcement
Week 416 Winner
Cara says: I always love the humor and light irreverence in your Death world but honestly, you had me at God’s rainbow house. Add in a broken-down Stairway to Heaven and Carla recruiting Team Heaven to go all out and welcome a new soul through the Pearly Gates, and I grinned the whole way through.
The Heaven Plane is a fluid place that changes based on God’s mood. Today, the sun is shining and his house is painted rainbow for Pride. I ring the doorbell, which plays the Hallelujah Chorus. God wings the door open, grinning from ear to ear.
“Carla! What brings you over from the dark side?”
“Haha.” I roll my eyes. “I need your help.”
He invites me in and I tell him about Lynda, a devout Christian with one request. God bites his lip.
“What’s in it for me?”
“One happy woman, who claims to be your biggest fan.”
God groans: the last time his ‘biggest fan’ came over, she talked his ear off for four years.
“Jesus!”
His son walks in from the kitchen, licking a spoon. Seconds later I’m squeezed in a tight hug which I return in kind. We bring him up-to-date and he frowns.
“The Stairway to Heaven is collecting dust in a storage locker somewhere.”
Five minutes later, Jesus pulls out a rusty staircase. It has six steps and several broken and cracked lights along the sides. My hopes fall like a rock. God waves his hand. A few sparks later, the rust and dust have gone but the staircase is otherwise unchanged.
“Give us a couple of hours,” God says, a hopeful smile on his face.
This has to be grand for this woman who has worked hard to earn that trip through the Pearly Gates. I wonder if I can scare up St. Peter…
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions Katheryn, Bill, and Joel! Don’t forget to claim your badges and please contact Siobhan with your mailing address to receive your prize. 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! 🙂
