Wednesday, January 27, 2016

While the Cat's Away




        When the Nelson family moved out, the mice family moved in. Mamma and Papa were soon joined by a brood of six pinkies. Born furless, and blind, they lay in a nest of dryer lint and drank their Mamma’s milk.
        Four weeks later, they were out of the nest, nibbling cracker crumbs in the far corner of the kitchen. They had the run of the house—until the cat returned. Cleo had squeezed through a torn screen.
        Papa Mouse squeaked the alarm. “The cat’s back! Quick, hide behind the sofa!”
        Mamma, Papa, and the little mice scurried to safety. 


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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Storm's Comin'




Today’s prompt: Outside the cabin, the wind howled


        “I’m cold,” Ma said. “Fetch some wood, Billy. Keep the fire goin’. I can’t get up.”
        “Yes’m.” Eight year-old Billy had done his chores, watched his little sister, and worried about Ma all day. The baby was coming and Pa had gone to fetch the doctor.
        Billy buttoned his jacket before opening the door. Outside the cabin, the wind howled through the trees, and the gray sky threatened snow. He loaded his arms with firewood and brought it into the house.
        “Wind’s blowin’ up a storm,” he said.
        She moaned. “Pray the wind blows your Pa home soon.”

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Dashing Through the Snow






Today’s prompt: This wasn’t where he wanted to be.

        Squinting into the night, Sam clutched the steering wheel. The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the blast of snow, and the visual effect was like traveling at light speed in a Star Wars movie.  But Sam wasn’t flying the Millennium Falcon. He was lost on a two-lane highway in southeastern Idaho.
        This wasn’t where he wanted to be. He was supposed to be at the staff Christmas party. Sam’s jaw tightened. They were probably exchanging white elephants by now.
        He glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw flashing lights.
        A plow truck! The best white elephant of all.


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Too Much of a Good Thing





Today’s prompt: The whole family had been cursed since

Jimmy heard the horn beep and ran to the window. His father had parked a maroon Mustang in the driveway.
       ”Mom,” Jimmy called, “Dad bought a new car.”
       “Another one?” she asked. They both hurried outside.
       “I couldn’t’ resist,” Mr. Hopkins said. “It’s my color.”
       “But we already have two new cars,” Jimmy said.        “We’ll need a bigger garage,” Mrs. Hopkins said.
       “No,” her husband said. “A new house.”
       “Oh, darling!” She kissed his cheek.
       Jimmy frowned. The whole family had been cursed since Dad had won the lottery. Now they’d move and he would have to leave his friends.


Let’s see what the other’s wrote: