Week 547 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Nikki Prince 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:
- Clay | @eight_clay
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Mark A. Morris
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Patty Dump
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
Nikki says: I love how one sentence inspires so many different stories. Everyone did the job of telling a great story! They were all excellent but I can only choose one.
Honorable Mentions
Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
Nikki says: He swam closer, near enough to see the dancing glimmer of playfulness in his green eyes. -Louisa Bacio
Loved this story it was beautiful in its sweet sensuality without being over the top.
Patty Dump
Nikki says: “We? You’re a ghost, a figment of my loneliness.” Cheryl opened her palm and glanced into the crystal pendant she had been grasping. Its facets glistened. – Patty Dump
I loved the humor in this piece, though it may not be the intent it made me smile reading it and I wanted more.
Silver James | @SilverJames_
Nikki says: Oops, I lost your unclaimed mate down a sinkhole? He was so dead. -Silver James
This straight up made me laugh. What a great ending line! More please.
winner announcement
Week 547 Winner
Nikki says: Petunia flashes a smile, her plump fingers thrusting the clipboard at me. -Kelly Heinen
I loved this because it reminded me of my dreams that I had when I almost died. I’d like to think God had me sign something and sent me back. What a great take around a line. It gave me a snapshot into a person’s life.
“You’re going back. Sign here.”
This room is so quietly loud. My heartbeat thunders in my ears. My breathing sounds like the volume is turned up to 100. I don’t know where I am or how I got here and nothing about this feels right.
“Oh dear!”
A round woman, wearing a pink skirt and white blouse, with kitten heels to match, waddles toward me. Her face conveys concern but her stride is all business. She looks down at a clipboard.
“You are Virginia Masterson, yes?” Her British accent is thick.
I nod. My recently cut hair loses a piece in my face and I puff it back. Stuffing my hands in my jean pockets, I wait to hear what’s going on.
“Ah. I was afraid of that. You are currently in the care of Doctor Michaels for heart surgery, yes?”
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I nod again. “Did I–?”
The round woman shakes her head, a smile on her face. “I’m Petunia, dear, personal secretary to The One True Death. You, my dear, are alive and soon to be well! Sometimes, the ECMO machine causes people to end up in Limbo.”
“Oh. What are we going to do about that?”
Petunia flashes a smile, her plump fingers thrusting the clipboard at me.
“You’re going back. Sign here.”
My chest is numb, my throat is dry, and I blink at the lights overhead. My husband kisses my forehead and smiles. I sure had some weird dreams while I was under.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Eighteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions Louisa, Patty, and Silver! 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! 🙂
