Katherine dropped the scotch tape and peeked around the corner at the spectacular tree. Warmth and cheer radiated from the fireplace; joyful carols played a touch above a whisper. She hugged herself. Two gifts left to wrap…the best ones.
Brandon tramped into the overpriced kitchen. Feet wide apart, he tossed off his jacket and loosened his tie. “What’s all this mess?” Wrapped boxes and gift bags littered the table.
Unapologetic, Katherine’s voice wavered. “These are a few gifts for a new friend I’ve invited for Christmas.”
morgueFile free photos
“Christmas isn’t for strangers, it’s for family—except mine, that is.”
“But this is a time for giving, good will…”
“Is that a doll? For you? Are you demented?” He persisted forward until mere inches separated them.
Katherine grabbed the baby doll. “It’s for the orphan girl who’s coming to dinner.”
Brandon staggered as if punched. He cleared his throat. “A little girl? Here?”
~ * ~
The Fall Quarter of Flash in the Pan is coming to the end. The theme is Disturbed.
The word limit for Demented is 150 words. I used them 150.
Check how to join: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/
How the Cookie Crumbles 
December 20, 2013 at 8:45 pm
You raise lots of question, Tess. It appears Brandon is shocked not over visitors for Christmas, but a little girl coming. I have to wonder why?
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December 20, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Maybe…they lost a little girl.
Maybe…they couldn’t have any kids but kept trying.
… 😉
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December 20, 2013 at 10:02 pm
That’s where I was headed. He seemed almost curmudgeonly about the doll–and then frightened that a little girl would be coming to visit. Like he’d given up that dream and didn’t want to believe anymore?
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December 22, 2013 at 8:37 pm
You are my favorite reader, Jacqui. You are right ON.. So much to say and not enough space.;-)
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December 20, 2013 at 10:38 pm
HIs reaction made me sad, like it was too hard for him. I hope his not very nice attitude is about to change though.
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December 22, 2013 at 8:35 pm
It did when he cleared his throat. This was a new hope…
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December 20, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Aww, there’s a sweetness in here of the Christmas spirit. Dickens would like this one, Tess. There’s the Scrouge element, the orphan/downtrodden element, and the kindhearted. 🙂
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December 22, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Thank YOU, Paulette. I like Christmas wishes because they seem to have a chance of coming true. This couple can be soooo happy…. 🙂
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December 20, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Goosebumps on this one….
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December 22, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Goosebumps can be good. Thank YOU.
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December 22, 2013 at 9:24 pm
🙂 🙂 🙂
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December 23, 2013 at 11:19 am
😛 😛 😛
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December 21, 2013 at 2:27 am
As always, you painted with words. Waiting for a dose of your humorous posts too though. Hope you have a lovely Christmas!
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December 22, 2013 at 8:30 pm
Thank you, most generous lady. The New Year will bring a few serious conversations but necessary. Hope to start off the year with something entertaining just for you.
Love your photos. Hope to have some travelling ones to share next year but I’m technically challenged. 😉
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December 21, 2013 at 3:47 am
Nice talking point, but a lovely story with a lovely gesture… 😉
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December 22, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Thank YOU, cobbie69. I wish them well.
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December 21, 2013 at 5:32 am
Oh my goodness, you HAVE to continue this one Tess!
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December 22, 2013 at 8:24 pm
I’ll let you in on a secret, I think this one has a heartwarming and happy ending. 😉
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December 23, 2013 at 8:10 am
Phew that’s good to know 🙂
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December 23, 2013 at 10:52 am
😛
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December 21, 2013 at 6:45 am
This has so many possibliities…see, I can’t keep away!
Really must be off now Tess,,, see you on the other side in 2014 🙂
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December 22, 2013 at 8:22 pm
You make me smile. Thanks so much Sherri. See you next year.
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December 21, 2013 at 10:05 am
Absolutely terrific! Bravo!
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December 22, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Thanks so much for your kind words. I like this line of work…noooo…I l.o.v.e. it when I hear awesome response like yours. 😛
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December 21, 2013 at 12:24 pm
OMG, I’ve been punched. So sad a story. I had the same sense about it that Jacqui had – they are unable to have children and he is bitter, angry, desolate.
She is still hopeful.
It’s thought by many to be a season of miracles. Perhaps theirs will still come.
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December 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Yes, he’s hoping too now, I think. 🙂
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December 21, 2013 at 3:20 pm
It’s like a party at your place. I get here and you serve nibbles, they are delicious and I can’t wait for the whole meal…ie a whole book.
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December 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm
I’m blushing. We’re having an open house Tuesday night for Christmas Eve. Please say you’ll come. I’ll save you something chocolate… 🙂
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December 23, 2013 at 6:45 am
Oh, yes please, c.h.o.l.a.t.e! See you at cyber six 😉
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December 23, 2013 at 10:53 am
😛
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December 21, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Congratulations, Tess! I’ve nominated you for The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. Please see my post on December 23, 2013 on Sharon Bonin-Pratt’s Ink Flare http://sharonboninpratt.wordpress.com/ I hope you’re delighted – I love your blog.
Shari *: )
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December 22, 2013 at 7:44 pm
You are such a D.e.a.r. Of course I am delighted. To be nominated for anything is a big deal to me. You’ve made my day.
However, I don’t accept awards anymore because they are so much work and last year I had to catch-up 11 or 12 months worth. So stressful and time consuming. Must put a note on the front of my page. You okay with this?
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December 22, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Of course that’s fine with me. It is a ton of work to accept an award because you’re expected to pay it forward to so many others. With my blessings, do as you choose and know how much I enjoy your blog.
Happy holidays, Tess!
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December 22, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Thank you in many, many ways. 😉
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December 23, 2013 at 11:22 am
Thanks for understanding, Sharon. The best of the holiday season to you too. 😉
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December 22, 2013 at 10:32 am
I hope it all works out well. You always leave me thinking about your stories, Tess. Love it.
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December 22, 2013 at 7:33 pm
If I am lucky enough to do that, then my job is d.o.n.e. and I do work at it. 😛
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December 22, 2013 at 11:55 am
Gripping stuff. You should be proud.
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December 22, 2013 at 7:30 pm
You make me blush, kind sir. Thank you for your kind words.
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December 24, 2013 at 6:34 am
Well done Tess. A bit close to ugly, he seems to have issues.
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December 25, 2013 at 4:00 pm
So it seems… *smiles*
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December 25, 2013 at 4:01 pm
I meant *smiles
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December 27, 2013 at 6:29 am
One day I will try … and write like this 🙂
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December 27, 2013 at 11:10 am
Thank you. I’m pleased you enjoy reading.
On the other hand, I could never cartoon like you do. You are amazing.
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January 17, 2014 at 11:45 am
I hope this works up to a happy end. And that noone is really disturbed… or that would be creepy!
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January 17, 2014 at 1:03 pm
He’s not thinking one moment and over-whelmed the next. And in awe that a little girl will indeed be with them for Christmas. 😉
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