Week 625 of #ThursThreads was a success, and y’all never disappoint. Thank you to everyone who writes each week. You are why we’re still doing this, and why we’ve made it 12 YEARS!
If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Follow Siobhan Muir on Bluesky or check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Siobhan Muir
- Silver James
- David A. Ludwig
- Mark A. Morris
- Miranda Gammella
- Eric Martell
George says: All of the stories were entertaining but there were two stories that really stood out for me. I enjoyed each one. Thank you, Siobhan for letting me be your judge this week.
Honorable Mention
David A. Ludwig | Website
George says: The stoic tension at the beginning had the Mission Impossible theme blaring in my head. Then, with near disaster at hand, a flick of a few buttons and everything came under control only to end with a great geeky ending. I loved that humor and it sealed the deal on this being my HM choice in the end. Great story David, thank you for letting me judge it.
winner announcement
Week 625 Winner
George says: I liked the sweetness of the tale. Just talk to Tony. In a scene where you have one character who is at what appears to be the end of her career as a lawyer with no clear answer as to what happens next for her. The second is a veteran judge who has presided over a few of her cases. His simple gesture to just “talk to Tony” toned down the fear and anguish she was going through. What a great short tale, thank you, Silver.
Maura stared out. Boston’s buildings crowded around like a scrum of rugby players. Her scattered thoughts weren’t condusive to explaining her actions.
Judge Francone cleared his throat. She didn’t turn around. “Ms. Brannigan?”
“I don’t know what to say, your honor.”
“We aren’t in the courtroom, Maura.”
“No, but you are still a judge.”
“And you are still an assistant district attorney.”
“Am I?”
“Have you filed a letter of resignation?”
She had to consider that. Alex had, for all intents and purposes fired her. But that was before… “It wasn’t like that.”
“Talk to me, Maura. Me. Not the old fart in the black robes with a gavel in my hands. It’s just you and me here. Off the record. Just Maura and Tony.”
She almost giggled but reined in the slight hysteria rising up inside her. “Tony? Really?”
“My mother only called me Anthony when I was in trouble.”
“What did your father call you?”
“Trouble.”
They both laughed and she relaxed, finally turning away from the world outside the window.
His voice was soft and curious when he spoke again. “What happened, Maura?”
Where did she begin? Her falling in love with a criminal mastermind? Her boss turning into a homicidal megalomaniac? Her snooping? Maybe. Or not.
“I learned the system was rigged. Law and order. My guideposts have always been law and order. Then I discovered what was happening. I thought I could fix it but I heard the system break.”
“Then fix it.”
“I can’t.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations SEVENTY TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mention David! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
