Wednesday, 23 September 2015

THE GUEST

FFfAW – Week of 09-22-2015
Welcome!
32nd Challenge for
Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Week of 09-22 through 09-29-2015

Click on the above link to find other contributors and join in the fun yourself.

This is a flash fiction challenge (stories in 100-175 words or less) and each story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Therefore, no serial (continuation) stories. They become too complicated for our readers.


This week's photo prompt is provided by Graham Lawrence.

THE GUEST

‘Aunt Jemima is in the garden painting again,’ said Helena to Charles. 

Charles harrumphed as he shook out The Times broadsheet newspaper, folding it neatly beside his plate.   He passed the toast rack to Helena as she settled herself at the breakfast table.

‘How long is your aunt staying with us?’  Charles tried to leave any vestige of accusation out of his voice.

Taking a sip of her Earl Grey tea, Helena needed a moment or two before she voiced her reply to her husband.

‘Well.......’  Helena’s voice faltered as she looked in his steel grey eyes regarding her over the crockery.

Charles sighed, shook his head slightly, concentrating on his boiled egg and Marmite toast soldiers.

Helena was grateful he didn't make an issue of it.  

It wasn’t an ideal situation. It was alright in the summer when Aunt Jemima could stand in the walled garden and paint to her heart’s content but what on earth would happen in the bad winter weather. 

Where would her aunt paint then?


Word count: 170

7 comments:

  1. Oh - an unwelcome guest. What a sad thing. My favorite part of the story is Charles' attempt to not sound annoyed.

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  2. Love the way the story flows. It is a captivating piece of writing and I truly enjoyed reading it :)

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  3. Sounds like Aunt Jemima is not very welcome in her niece's home. Maybe she should go back home before winter comes otherwise where will she be able to paint? Wonderful story Sally with a subject we are all probably familar with, unwanted guests. Thank you for participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge.

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  4. I'd get her painting the walls! Nice one Sally
    Check out my FFfAW story!

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  5. A very talented work of art is a thing of beauty Winter or Summer ~ Set Auntie up in the spare room to paint and copy pictures ~ A recipe for all year-round peace ~ A great write Sally ~ :)

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  6. An interesting dilemma and one without a good answer! What do you do with family that won't leave. They're family...
    Great read!

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  7. I don't know if it was intended to but it did make me laugh! You have a great way of using imagery in scene setting too :)

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