The Friday Fictioneers challenge is to write a 100-word story inspired by a photo prompt provided on Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog. I’ve included a link below to other writer’s contributions. Make sure to check them out.
copyright –Janet Webb
The Extraction
“Of course” she thought. Her return to Boulder corresponded with the 100 year flood. It was fitting really. The deluge matched how she felt, her mind traveling back to an ancient history she always avoided- theirs.
“Floppy chicken”, he warned, would haunt her. His erratic hand flopping incessantly over her body, whether madness or affection she was unsure. Yet the memory never failed to conjure a smile. As he’d promised her it would.
Looking upon the flooded Whole Foods parking she could picture him. It wouldn’t be tag golf this time. No, today he’d be shopping cart surfing. She smiled
Word Count: 100
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Hi Dana,
Subtle but powerful writing. I feel like I know more about this couple’s history is the few words you flash fictioned than I do about some couples I’ve actually known for a long time. Great piece! Ron
Ron,
Thank you very much. That is a huge compliment to hear that I conveyed the emotional subtly I was aiming for and gave you a glimpse inside an intimate connection between these 2 people.
Dana
Like others, the floppy chicken caught my attention, but the atmospheric feel to this piece– the idea of the floods in CO, all added so much to this amazing piece.
Thank you. I was going for the layered nature of a deluge.
Very thought provoking. I went more metaphorical. I love these challenges: writing the stories each week, is so fun, but reading what everyone else comes up with, is where the big fun is! 🙂
Oh the whole Foods parking lot… great place for Cart surfing… (my brother in law lives in brother… and we have shopped at Whole Foods many times) have to try that next time…
Take a picture if you go cart surfing. Boulder Whole Foods is Fab.
Very clever, very entertaining, wholly enjoyable.
Thank you
Ok the floppy chicken thing still has me a bit lost. I even read the comments. I thought I almost had it when I read your reply to Rochelle as: One of the quickest things about my 1st Ex husband and then I averted my eyes, thinking I had learned too much.
NO eye averting necessary. It is simply an oddly affectionate thing my ex did. He would flail his hand about like a fish on land decrying floppy chicken. It was the most annoying, infuriating, childish thing. The kind you simply can’t get rid of. That even now will make me smile despite myself.
Phew! 😉
A complexity here, that the flood brought up memories she was trying to avoid. And some of them pleasant and smile-inducing. Shopping cart surfing sounds fun. Like everybody, I’ve stood on the back bar of carts and zoomed along, but never thought of surfing. When given lemons…
Yeah! I was aiming for the layered complexity of flooding emotions, memories and life. Glad it translated. Thanks
Honestly, you lost me with the floppy chicken. Perhaps I’m just too dense to get it today.
I doubt your too dense. Floppy Chicken is purely the insanity of my first ex husband.
Dear Dana,
To make the floppy chicken hand as matter of fact and lovely as you did requires skill. Well done. I enjoyed this happy, wet slice of life after the flood.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug. Much appreciated.
Dear Dana,
Floppy chicken? Now there’s an intriguing visual. You left me wanting to know more. Nice job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
On e of the quirkiest things about my 1st Ex husband.
Thanks Rochelle
Inland waves? Why not. surf’s up
Could be fun. Thanks