I’m starting a new series of very short stories describing a recent moment in my life. I hope you enjoy, and please share if you’ve had a similar experience!
Hello
I don’t know the cell phone numbers of my mom, best friend or cousin.
A longtime friend returned to town and called me to set up a play date with our sons.
Her home number flashed on the screen.
And I was back in my third-grade bedroom, pressing buttons on a white Princess phone with a twisty cord.
You inspired me to give it a try.
— A Close Call —
Releasing the pull rope,
dad sails in on water skis,
looking cooler than mustache man, magnum PI.
Hitting the shore too fast,
he’s sent flying.
Landing on all fours, his arms lock.
A rusty stake is almost touching his chest,
anxious to bite.
I stand breathless
trapped in death’s shadow.
Janice, I love this and I’m so glad you shared it here!. You say so much with your 50 words. What a harrowing experience!
You are pushing me to write more this summer Leanne. Thank you! I can’t wait to read more of your short stories. Fifty words seems more manageable than Hemingway’s six word short story challenge. We share his with the kids every year: “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” There are kids who read it and think that the baby grew too fast to wear the shoes, and then there are kids who think the baby died before getting to wear them. It’s interesting to hear the kids debate which is more likely based on Hemingway’s choice of punctuation.