99 word prompt : sketchy
If you want to participate, here’s the link: https://carrotranch.com/2018/06/28/june-28-flash-fiction-challenge
June 28, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that is a sketch or about a sketch. It can be “A Sketch of a Romance” or “The Sketch of Aunt Tillie.” Go where the prompt leads you to scribble.
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A hospital bed elevated her upper body. One son took Lorna’s hand. Too weak to pull away, she tried ignoring the unwanted touch.
Strange the things a writer remembers. One of them was her mother’s plea to save “her children,” framed sketches of family life and childhood home, now tucked away in Lorna’s storage shed.
“Now I understand, mom,” Lorna whispered.
“What did you say?” Her son asked.
“Make sure my editor gets my books published.”
Her sons snickered, the same way she had when she’d said the same words to her mom, “We’ll take good care of them.”
This one pulled me apart, sis. Hurts for an old lady to know that her children don’t appreciate nor understand. Good job.
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Thanks. 🙂
You know from where it stems, too.
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A writer’s nightmare.
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Definitely!
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I know where the inspiration for this one came from! Very good. 🙂
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Thanks. 🙂
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I really like this, Joelle.
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Thanks. 🙂
I’m going to Tampa soon for some editing and it’s on my mind.
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Ouch. Trust no one. That is not a good way to go into that good night.
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No, but you’d be surprised what families do when someone dies. I’ve known too many people whose families have fallen apart. One woman who was appointed executor was told by the woman on her deathbed to change all the locks, “Now.” She did so and the relative’s children wanted to know why the locks were changed. They couldn’t go in and take what they wanted regardless of the will. Years had passed, and her family still wouldn’t speak to her.
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What one generation cherishes the next might not — unless they can get money for it. I’ve seen families go through such ugly turbulence after a death, but I also witnessed one that handled their mother’s death with such grace, each grown daughter mourning but growing from the pain. Ah, there can be hope! But this — a writer’s nightmare!
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I agree.
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