Fiction In A Flash Challenge Week #12 – The Clock
This is the “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #12. Each week Suzanne Burke will be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.
Here is the week #12 Image Prompt.
Thanks to Bryce Barker for sharing their FREE IMAGE on Unsplash.
The Clock
“I had a wonderful time with you this weekend. Thank you for inviting me over for all the meals. Both your mom and grandma are excellent cooks.”
“We could have gone out to eat, but I know my mom and dad would love to have you around as much as possible. You surprised me by taking a third serving of the Mixed Berry Crisp pie.” Michelle giggled.
“I was just eating fruits. Berries are rich in antioxidant. Your grandma made it with no crust, so there was not so much carbohydrate.” The saliva rushed out under Dave’s tongue.
“I know you’re an expert in the food business. My mom and grandma were happy when you appreciated their cooking. Grandma is making desserts only these days.”
“Dessert is the best part of the dinner.”
“I’ll tell grandma you liked her dessert. I know you told her already. She’d like to hear it again.”
“Your grandma always has a pleasant smile. She seems to be content.”
“Yeah, nothing seems to upset her.”
“Where’s your grandpa?”
“Well, he left Grandma before I was born, so I’ve never met him. Grandma was retired when I was four and Rob was six. She moved in with us and watched us kids after school. It was when both mom and dad were working”
“I’m sure she loves you and it makes her life happier to be with you kids. Did she ever talk about your grandpa?”
“She didn’t when we were younger. We didn’t know the difference anyway. She talked to me when I got older. She said Grandpa was in love with someone at work and they went away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Your grandma must be mad at him.”
“She said she was sad but not mad.”
“Were they married long?”
“I would say it was a long time. Twenty-five years.”
“I can’t imagine what it was like. Did she talk about being lonely or think about remarry?”
“After marrying Grandpa for twenty-five years, she didn’t think she could love anyone else the same way.”
“She gives all her love to you and Rob. No wonder she is so happy.”
“Grandma is honest. She shared with me about how she worked on forgiving Grandpa. To forgive someone is not an overnight thing. She had to stop blaming Grandpa or herself. She had to get rid of the unhealthy emotions and let go of Grandpa. Once she let go of him and let him be responsible for whatever happened, her heart felt light and happy again.”
“It was an incredible story.”
“I know. I wish you could stay and be here for her 70th birthday party. It’s a holiday tomorrow.”
“There were a few things to do tomorrow before the office opens on Tuesday. I hope she likes the birthday present I gave her.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she will, but I want you to meet the rest of the family.”
“Christmas is coming up. I’ll be back for the party. Okay, I’m walking toward the gate right now. Can I call you after I arrive?”
“Sure.”
Dave went up to the counter at the gate.
“Hi, I’m late. I wasn’t looking at the clock.”
“Oh, sir. Yes, you’re too late for the boarding.”
“I’m sorry, would you call to hold the door for me?”
The ground attendant talked on the phone, then turned to Dave and said, “Sorry, sir. The captain said the door was closed. I can reschedule the flight for you, so you won’t be charged for the cancellation and re-booking.”
“Okay then. Do you have the same schedule tomorrow?”
“Hmm, yeah, I do. You’re all set. You should receive an email with a new confirmation number.”
“Thanks.”
Dave pressed a speed dial number.
“Hi, Michelle. It’s me. I’m turning around. I’ll be at your grandma’s birthday party tomorrow.”
“Great! But what happened?”
“I missed the flight.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fiction In A Flash Challenge Week #12 – The Clock
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your kind comment!
The Showers of Blessings 
Haha – I’m glad he got his flight rescheduled! Not always a guarantee.
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That “flight scheduled” portion was me, and I made up everything else. I missed the flight by talking to my daughter at the airport after visiting her. I should have gone to the gate first before I called her but I talked to her at the coffee shop!!
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Haha – I’ve never missed a flight, but sounds stressful!
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It would have been, but I had an excuse to spend one more night with my daughter and grand kids.
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Nice story Miriam. I believe in fate and this story illustrates that it is often a good thing.
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Yeah, Carla. Too many situations like this happened to me. I’m amazed! Thank you for reading.
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Amen!!
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Lovely story, Michelle. Not such a bad thing to have missed the flight. Now he gets another dessert and another pleasant evening with friends. 🙂
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I think dessert was the first thing came to his mind when he missed the flight, then friends came next. Haha, thank you for reading. 😊
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A really lovely story, Miriam. Sometimes fate works in our favour.
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I think so, Robbie. I told my husband that when something happens, I think of what to do next rather than looking back to ask why it happened.
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The ending was a nice surprise! (I was afraid that Dave was flying home to a wife and family.)
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That would be horrible, Liz. I just watched a PBS Master Mystery with that twist, except he died of an accident before she found out he was married. We’ve been watching a lot of murder mystery lately. I don’t know if that would slip out of my pen.
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Yes, it would be horrible, and for a moment that’s where I thought the story was going. My husband and I watch a lot of murder mystery, too.
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Yes, I guess the story could have ended in different ways.
PBS has good series of shows. We started Jamestown last night.
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Oh! I hadn’t heard of this show. (I haven’t been watching TV lately except for the news.) When my husband and I lived in Virgina, Jamestown Island was our all-time favorite place to go. I’ll have to see is any of our streaming services carries the series.
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This is about the first pilgrims in 1629(?). I don’t know how the town was named. I think PBS is included in the local channels, not cable. It has all kinds of classic and contemporary shows, musical performances, news, travel, nature, and science. I like Nova, about space.
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I loved this take on the prompt, Miriam. Karma indeed. Thanks so much for taking part again. I look forward to featuring your post over the next few days. 😊
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Excellent prompt, Soooz. Thank you for doing the work. I enjoyed writing this one. 🙂
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Your pleasure in writing it shines through in the story, Miriam. I hope next weeks prompt inspires you again. 😊
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Mouth-watering but profound! Lovely story Miriam. Time turns to be a tyrant if we don’t respect him. 🙂
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Thank you, Balroop. It was my favorite pie and I couldn’t resist to have it in my story. Thank you for reading. 🙂
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It was meant to be! Isn’t dessert a major food group? 🙂
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It was meant to be, Jacquie! I love moderate dessert, but we do have it all the time. 🙂
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Fun read, Miriam. Sometimes missing that flight is for the best.
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I believe everything has a purpose, Denise. Finding the meaning without fighting over what happened saved the pain (for me). Thank you for reading and comment.
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Beautiful story, Miriam. You reminded me of my Mamaw and the delicious pies she used to bake. Loved the ending!
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Thank you, Jill. That’s a great thing to remember, your Mamaw’s delicious pies. I’m glad you liked the ending! 💖
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I actually needed to read grandma‘s message about forgiveness today. Perfect timing! – That was a pun considering the clock ha ha.
Also, since I kind of believe in karma I think grandpa will get what he deserves at some point. 😚
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Thank you, Pam. I believe very much in karma. If we bear that in mind, we could leave that nature to do its job. My experience in forgiveness is self help. I’m glad you liked the story. 😉
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Yes, Yes, and YES!
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Yes, Pam. Isn’t it nice to have a great power to take care of the unjust!
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Lovely story. Good twist at the end.
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Haha, Jacqui. This time around, I had the ending first! 😉
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Sweet story, Miriam. Sometimes things happen for the best.😊💕
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Exactly, Vashti. So when I missed the flight, the only time happened in my life, I wasn’t upset, just spent one more day with my daughter. 💖😉
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👏😀💕
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❤ 🙂
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Hello Miriam. That was fun to read. Thanks.
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Thank you so much. I appreciate your reading and comment. 🙂
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