Week 644 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 1/2 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 K.R. Van Horn 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
- Sheilagh Lee
- Kelly Heinen
- Silver James
- David A. Ludwig
- Mark A. Morris
- K.R. Van Horn
- Mark Ethridge
Honorable Mention
Mark A. Morris | Website
K.R. says: The story is creative and entertaining, with strong humor and a memorable premise. I felt like I was standing there with the character! The question is: Was I also wearing my most expensive suit or was I donning a clown costume and a deadly weapon? Well done!
Special Mention
Siobhan Muir | Website
K.R. says: The story is thoughtful and well-written, with strong themes and compelling character dynamics. A charming and introspective piece overall!
winner announcement
Week 644 Winner
K.R. says: The story excels in dialogue and theme, effectively portraying the legacy of resilience and social justice across generations. And for me, the story just had an “IT” factor that nudged it to the top of the list. Well done! It’s a heartfelt and thoughtful piece overall!
Heyday
“Jump! JUMP you fool….”
“I’ll break my bloody neck.”
“I’ll break your fool neck if you don’t. This is where we get off…”
“Okay…here goes….”
“Right behind you laddie….”
“Really Gramps? That really happened…you and your friend jumped right off a moving train?”
“Three times, actually. Got better at it.”
“And you never paid for the ride?”
“That was the point. Nobody had any money. Well, the rich, they always had money. Even if they lost it, they always got more. Wealth creates wealth. But no, millions of us didn’t have any…little we had was gone in a puff of smoke…”
“Not like today, huh?”
“Not a lot has changed, Sonny Jim. Remember that when I’m gone. Wealth creates wealth. Poverty spreads like wildfire. Things gotta change. Be a person who makes that happen…”
“That was along time ago, Jimmy. I’m glad you wrote it, but the worlds changed.”
“Yeah, maybe? Gramps got lucky. The last train he jumped off landed him in a small BC. town. Met Grandmother. Went to war. Lived. Came back. Lumber mill there got a boost from the war. Three children. My mom and dad moved to the Island after Gramps passed. I’ve had a good life but exactly how I’ve ever improved the world…I dunno.”
“He probably meant, be a good person. You are.”
Maybe not good enough. Whole world’s veering to the right. I wanna help move it to the left.”
“Then let me help you.”
“Always thought you would.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mention Mark! 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! 🙂
