Category: Short Fiction

Short Fiction, short story

The Howler – Six Sentence Story

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
animals birds owl fauna
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Howler
An Acrostic
Hershel Henry Spritzer was an academic genius as he scored the highest in his class and was a shoe in to become the valedictorian.

Orange was the least loved color of Constance Spritzer and she would avoid placing this anywhere on her paintings, masterpieces which would hang in only the finest of galleries; it had to do with her heart breaking, ex boyfriend, Jasper Jester, who wore only orange and black striped outfits.

Wondering why his mother expressed discord with his winning of the Orange County Esteemed Scholar Award, Hershel sent her a message with Fergly, his owl, serving as the messenger.

Lingering slowly though the skies, Fergly dipped frequently, not daring to hoot, as he held securely the heavy red envelope in his beak, talons ready to drop and land on Hershel’s windowsill.

Eagerly, Hershel grabbed the envelope from Fergly, but then he stopped, and placed it on the table, feeling anxious because the envelope was not only large, but it was red and it was scooting across the table where it lay, this could only mean one thing.

Ready or not, Hershel knew he needed to open the envelope for fear it might explode and open it he did, easing it as best that he could, noticing some orange paint dripping as he did, but the worse part was the ear piercing, exploding howling all about the meaning of the color of orange (it wasn’t Jasper).

…..
There you have it! This is my Six Sentence Story in response to the weekly prompt “HOWL” and you can participate, as well. Just go to this LINK

poetry, Short Fiction, TTOT

10 Things of Thankful – August 23

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
balance business cobblestone conceptual
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s time for Ten Things of Thankful AKA TTOT and I’m gonna jump in!

  1. Swimming Lessons for the kid! I found out that my daughter will start swimming lessons in September! YAY!!!
  2. Completed Art projects. I have had a little character I have played around with for a long time and I decided to take a writing break and complete her. After all, she needed color and more character. The result was Fairy Cat. Here she is: flying kitty
  3. Haiku for Fairy Cat can be seen here: Fairy Cat I hope to take her on some more adventures.
  4. Poundage is still falling off.
  5. Goals – I have a writing goal to complete by month end and I like knowing there is something to meet.
  6. Support – I am so grateful for the support I get in so many ways, between my family, friends, writing community and artist community, to just name a few.
  7. Air Conditioning and Ceiling Fans – it’s been a long, hot summer and I am grateful to have these luxuries.
  8. Six Sentence Story – keeping at it and this week I actually added to the prior week’s story as I was not pleased with leaving it open.  Here is what I did: SSS
  9. New Challenges. I have joined with another weekly challenge for haiku/senryu. Here’s this weeks: Yoga Dreams I am also trying to write one haiku per day. So far, so good. I go to my free photos and find random pics and write to them or come up with an idea.
  10. Last – but not least – I have written a story inspired partly by real life, but in a fiction form. It was hard to write as it brought up many emotions, but it was waiting to be told. So, here it is and I am grateful to get it done. Blue Blanket
  11. Because I can do more than 10 things as it’s my post to do what I want HAHAHAHA I want to invite you to join us in the opportunity to share your thankfuls. There a link down there to click and join in!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Short Fiction

Blue Blanket

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
several yarn balls
Photo by Rijan Hamidovic on Pexels.com

Blue Blanket
Red-rimmed eyes, tear-streaked cheeks, cotton mouthed, she sat on her sofa, in her spot, as she snapped open the plastic container. A familiar fragrance teased her nostrils as she gasped and then allowed the scent to overtake her senses. Staring at the blanket through blurred vision, it was soft country blue colored, with fringed edges. Knowing this blanket was her sister’s favorite, she needed to keep this treasure.

Cozying in to the familiar soft comfort of her spot on the sofa, she gathered her yarn and hook. Excitement tickled her soul as she pondered the joy her sister would feel when she saw and touched her new blanket. While it was not her taste, her sister loved blues and mauves. Selecting the soft toned, country blue was easy. This would be a gift for her sister’s 21st birthday and she wanted to give something to her sister to treasure all of her life. As was her habit, she pondered positive thoughts as she hooked the yarn. Believing that keeping good thoughts would only make for many good things, she was certain that this blanket would bring much comfort and joy.

Holding the well-loved blanket to her face, breathing in the scent, closing her eyes, memories flooded her. Feeling the softness as she grazed the blanket with her fingertips, she came across a raised, rough patch. Looking closely, there was a stain, much in the shade of red, as in nail polish. This would have been from her niece. She loved the blanket and was likely wrapped in it while she painted her nails.

Working each row, creating the design, allowing for both durability and beauty, she counted and watched as the blanket unfolded into a work of art. Her old cat would keep her lap extra warm as he crawled underneath the workings. He was old and not so likely to bat the yarn as he did in his younger years. A bit of him would go along with the blanket, as it would be very difficult to pick out his golden fur.

Even after all these years, there were gold flecks in the blanket. Oh Kitty, she thought, you now can rest with my sister and her other pet children. Tell her to keep a warm spot for me, one day. She stroked the gold and closed her eyes, remembering the comfort he brought to her in all of his days. Dozing to a nappy sleep, she woke to nothing more or less than the changes of life. And peace. Peace in knowing that those before have no more pain and peace in knowing that those left behind can best bring comfort to each other. It’s the circle.

poetry, Short Fiction, short story

Perhaps – Six Sentence Story

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
low angle photo of woman wearing off shoulder top
Photo by Vinicius Altava on Pexels.com

a double acrostic

Perhaps

Although it was a pleasant setting, Elaine’s nerves were waiting for a mishap.

Taking a deep breath, Barbara fumbled with her purse strap and made a wish.

Making her decision about an assistant was hard for Jasmine, causing a headache.

Oddly, as Elaine was waiting for her interview, a call came from her doctor.

She stated, “We used the wrong patient’s information when we went to diagnose.

Stepping into the waiting room, Jasmine saw both women huddled, in an atmosphere of caring, Barbara’s arm around Elaine; Jasmine spoke, “Ladies, I hope this works to your understanding that I will need two assistants and you two are the only applicants for the job, when can you start?”

…..

This is a continuation from last week’s Six Sentence Story, “Struggle.” I just couldn’t let these ladies end things the way it was.

This is in response to this weeks Six Sentence Story:

Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here on Thursday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers 🙂

PROMPT WORD: ATMOSPHERE

Go check out Six Sentence Story to get the hook up and join in!!

Short Fiction, short story

Struggle – Six Sentence Story

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
woman wearing blue top beside table
Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Struggle

Entering her zip code, Elaine focused on the task at hand, knowing it was the most important job for which she would apply.

Counting the change in the bottom of her purse, Barbara placed the coins in stacks, realizing she had just enough for a round trip bus fare to the interview.

Entering the code in the key pad of her office, Jasmine knew she would have some heavy decision making to make about who she would hire for her personal assistant.

Calling the doctor’s office, Elaine entered the code which ensured it authenticated her, only to hear the answer she needed to know, the news, if bad, would be a nurse and the phone redirected to the nursing department.

Barbara walked into Jasmine’s office, ready as she could be for the job interview, she had a job, but she needed to supplement her income, due to the high bills from her husband’s medical treatments; Keeping him always in the back of her mind, after the funeral, she knew he would be there in spirit.

Elaine hung up the phone, went to her computer, emailed to Jasmine’s office, confirming her appointment, she needed this job more than ever, but she also knew it would offer her no promises in her life.
…..
There you go! That’s the Six Sentence Story for this week.

Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here on Thursday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers 🙂

PROMPT WORD: CODE

Want to join in? Go to Six Sentence Story and hop in!

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