Week 425 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 Joel Sandersen 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:
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck
- Catherine Derham | @cathducourau
- Mark A. Morris
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Catherine Derham | @cathducourau
Joel says: This was the hardest choice for me- I really, really wanted to pick two winners because this story was really that good. For me good mystery tops that list of good stories, and I want to the rest of this one. The twist was great. I do so hope to see more this thriller some day.
M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Joel says: Love how this story had me going one way – and spun my head around at the end. Love that even with the title – I did not not see punchline of the story to very last moment.
Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
Joel says: I loved this story because it captured how both how our worlds have been turned upside down by the pandemic and how that upside-downness has served to inspire new things, new opportunities, new stories.
winner announcement
Week 425 Winner
Joel says: I loved this story. It captured the dilemma of battling over foods so perfectly. It was like the author reached into my mind and plucked my four year old out and put them at the table. Loved use of the prompt. After a long day, this story brought well-needed smile to my face and laugh to my heart.
Arms crossed. Pout in full force. Eyes hard. Attitude on full display. Time to go into battle. The plate of carrots slides dangerously close to the edge of the table. I slide it back, my eyes imploring the girl to eat the mushy orange sticks.
“No. I can’t.”
Matching her gaze, I mentally count to ten. “Can’t or won’t?”
She shrugs, four-year-old shoulders suddenly full with the weight of the world. Why I agreed to have my niece stay for a couple of days is beyond me. I love her, don’t get me wrong, but the food battles are too much for this single gal.
“Well, then I can’t give you dessert.”
We made a cake this morning and I let her help decorate it. Somewhere under six pounds of sprinkles is a vanilla cake with blue frosting. For a split second, her gaze wavers.
“Can’t or won’t?”
She sounds like my brother. All steel and resolve but inside, she’s crumbling. Her sweet tooth is as big as mine and I’m not above eating in front of her. In answer to her question, I shrug, my forty-year-old shoulders heavier than usual.
A moment passes. Two. Three. Then, as if the carrots will bite, she spears one on a fork. Eyes squeezed shut, she chokes both of them down. Satisfied, I bring the cake to the table.
“You’re mean,” she says.
“You got cake, right?”
Blue frosting and sprinkles already smeared on her face, she gives me a fierce eye roll.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions Catherine, M.T., and Sheilagh! 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! 🙂
