DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

Photo from Morguefile

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Bones on Display

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

The boys gently lowered the skeleton onto the cart and wheeled it from the classroom. There was a large air vent on one of the walls, and they thought it would be a neat trick to attach it to the opening and see if anyone screamed.

No one had been in the area since they had been watching so they raised the two ladders and then quickly, lifting the top of the skeleton the two boys began climbing, and once the legs were about to come up off the cart, they had the other two boys grasp a hold of the legs.

They pulled it up and slowly wound first the one hand and then the other through the bars. Then they climbed partway down the ladder so they could set the legs in place. It looked pretty scary, so maybe one of the girls would scream. It would be even better if one of the teachers did.

The boys went home for the night, so anxious none of them slept. They couldn’t wait to see what their prank would wreak.

The boys arrived early that morning. They found the police outside. As each person arrived, they were asking them if they knew how the skeleton got there. No one knew, and the boys were quiet. Obviously, their prank went wrong. Thankfully they hadn’t been seen.

The skeleton is still talked about today, but we were all going to take it to our graves with us. I was the last one left, and I had no intention of saying a word, ever!

***********262 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

Photo courtesy of W. Neiman

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Parade Fun

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

Robin stretched out and put her feet up on the windowsill. She couldn’t get comfortable.

Robin was 40 years old and 9 months pregnant. She worked hard today and had no breaks. The restaurant had been busy today, and even though she is only the hostess in her current condition, she is exhausted.

She started to doze off, but the baby was very active right now, and she was afraid she was going to go into labor soon. She stared out the window, trying to pinpoint the hospital among the other buildings.

She had no family, so she will have to call an ambulance when the time comes. Her only friend was working late at the restaurant tonight, and the baby’s father took off as soon as he heard the news of his impending fatherhood.

She felt the first sharp pain. This might be it. She glanced at the clock and checked the time. Another contraction. They are getting closer and even more intense. Now that they are coming every few minutes, she pulled out her phone and called the ambulance quickly explaining her position.

This was her first child, but she was 40 years old, and this wouldn’t be easy. She advised them of her age and that she had been on her feet for the last 12 hours working. They promised to send someone out immediately and for her to make sure that her door was unlocked.

The ambulance didn’t come, and the pains increased. Robin knew the baby was coming, and she was all alone. There was nothing she could do. Her body knew what it needed to do to deliver the baby. She wrapped it in a blanket and was curled around the baby when the ambulance finally got there apologizing for the emergency that held them up. They rapidly went into action and got her, and the baby transferred to the hospital.

She woke up to see her friend and boss waiting to see her. News had gotten to the restaurant.

She looked down at the baby and checked to see if it was a boy or girl. Happily, she had given birth to a girl her very first choice.

***********365 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

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Parade Fun

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

I was costumed in a long beautiful gown made by my mom, and I was wearing a sash that said “Miss Missouri.” My perch was on a long truck bed filled with other girls also wearing different sashes from other states. My hair was long and flowing and dark chestnut. Even though the other girls all had their hair up, I kept mine down. I didn’t like those styles where your hair is all on the top of your head.

The truck went down Main street, and the buildings were filled with those workers who only had a little time to catch a quick view during their lunch. Being a holiday, you would think more people would be off, but they changed the date this year to give the workers a long weekend, so some people had to work still.

“With that long dark hair braided and those high cheekbones you would make a wonderful Native American Indian girl,” my troop leader said beside me while we waited to go on. Maybe we will plan our next float to be about the Native American Indian, and you will be our single head of the float, and all dressed up as an Indian. The other girls can portray other parts of the Indian lifestyle.

Sadly that never came about as it wouldn’t fit the theme of the next year’s parade and I then moved on to another troop.

***********237 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

Photo Source: https://morguefile.com/p/180645

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Practical Jokes Kill

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

“Aaron Miller I told you never, ever to play one of your practical jokes on me or we were through.”

“Oh, Sharon, don’t be such a pill. I didn’t hurt you any.”

“I told you that I didn’t believe in playing practical jokes on people and that you best not do it to me and I meant it!”

“Oh honey, it is just an old rubber hand, and surely you didn’t believe it was a real hand, did you?”

“That is not a fake hand, Aaron. It is a real hand.”

“What do you mean that is not a fake hand, Sharon?”

She pulled a small hatchet out and chopped his hand off at the wrist. He grabbed a towel to try and stop his wrist from spurting blood all over. “Sharon, what have you done? Oh, my God!”

“Now I have a feeling that you will listen to me from now on and quit playing practical jokes. What do you think, Aaron?”

“I think you are crazy and I want nothing more to do with you. I played a simple joke, but what you did was violent and crazy. I just can’t get past what you just did.”

“Oh, just call the ambulance and grab the hand and have the doctor sew it back on. Geez, you are such a baby. You can dish it out, but you can’t handle it.”

“I am going to call the cops on you, you’re nuts.”

“Oh shut up,” she told him and swung the hatchet into his chest by his heart. She struck at him numerous times until she was sure he was dead. “Now you won’t play any more practical jokes.” She cleaned off the hatchet and put it in her tote bag, leaving by the back door, making sure that no one noticed her departure. She knows no one saw her arrive as it was already dark and the road is mainly deserted. The house belonged to Aaron, and no one knew her as his girlfriend.

***********336 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

Photo Source: https://morguefile.com/p/744208

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Donated Playground

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

They were scheduled to open a new playground for the town in a few weeks. There was a large fence surrounding the area that had been laid out for the outdoor play area. No one was allowed to see what they had going on behind the barrier.

There were plenty of fancy new climbing toys and swings. There was a good-sized sandbox. Plus the old Sanders place donated some large climbing trees to add to the metal climbers typically seen in a new-age playground. These were installed, and a couple of children had the honor of trying them out, which they enjoyed. Modern mixed with old.

There was a large party put on by the town elders to celebrate the new addition to the town for their children. They even put on a large barbecue to be enjoyed by all. It was a great day for all.

***********147 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

Photo Source: https://morguefile.com/p/984414

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Sharing Spaces

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

End Century and other cute signs litter the parking lot of the old theme park. The group of boys found a spot in the back that was deserted and had private parking signs from days of old when the park was first opened, on the walls. The boys gamble endlessly back here unbothered by anyone. Usually!

Lately, though they had noticed things had been moved around here and there. It was apparent that someone had been using the area in their absence. This was their area, and they decided to try and catch whoever it was that was using it in their absence.

They figured it was being used after midnight once they left. The boys had to go home by midnight.

They all planned to sneak back out after 3 AM once their parents were asleep and head out to see was using their space.

As they crept up slowly behind the dumpsters that were left there from the old days, they heard laughter. It sounded like girls. They crept up closer to see what the girls were doing, and they found 10 girls drinking and smoking marijuana.

They wanted to tell them to leave because this was their area, but the girls would laugh at them and since they hadn’t run into each other yet, why cause trouble?

***********387 words**********

DB McNicol’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa – 

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com

Author of a book, a work in progress on the blog, https://tessacandoit.com/government-property-a-memoir-as-a-military-wife/

Highlighted chapters are done and ready to be read.

DB McNicol’s #fotoflash

{photo courtesy of Wendy G.}

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Living a Dream

By Teresa Smeigh 2019

Marjie had disappeared several weeks ago. Daniel had spent most of his spare time when he wasn’t working, looking for her. He notified the police that his wife, a housewife since she didn’t work, had disappeared. They hadn’t picked up a trail on her at all. She had just vanished one day.

Daniel was troubled, plus he had the children to watch as well. To work, he had to take them to her parents to watch as his weren’t alive anymore.

His friends were always trying to get him to go out and go bar-hopping on the weekends. He didn’t feel right asking her parents to watch the kids so he could go out with his friends. He needed to concentrate on finding Marjie and taking care of their children.

His friends pleaded with him to go with them to this place called Eat More Beer. Exhausted, he didn’t pick the kids up that night and went with his friends. They pulled into the lot and parked and got out of the car. Daniel stopped dead. “Wait,” he shouted.

“That sounds like Marjie’s voice,” he started to head towards the stage on the other side of the building from where they had parked.

It was Marjie, alright. She was all dressed up. He couldn’t imagine her dressing this way. She was singing her heart out. He knew she had played the guitar in college, but she never followed that path. She was ready to get married and have kids, she told him when he asked her to marry him.

He walked up to the stage and stood there watching. Tears came to his eyes. How could he not have known she had a dream? Why hadn’t she ever told him?

He jumped on the stage and began to sing with her. Startled she did a double take and then she jumped up and hugged him tightly.

“You came for me!”

“Oh Marjie, why hadn’t you told me your dream. I wouldn’t have stood in your way.”

Turning to his friends, he thanked them for making sure he came here and heard her singing. They knew about it and wanted to surprise him and her.

“Marjie you need to go on the road. The kids and I will follow you. You have quite a career ahead of you.”

***********387 words**********

DB’s Rules:

Welcome to my Friday Foto Flash Fiction challenge! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation. Thank you and enjoy! Here’s your photo prompt.

Tessa –

Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses, also a devout Christian

Author – http://www.finallyawriter.com (this blog contains my old work mostly although occasionally I do add something new here), new work is mainly on this blog http://www.tessacandoit.com