How the Cookie Crumbles

Life and scribbles on the far side of SIXTY-FIVE

100-Word Challenge for Grownups – Week #165

by 70 Comments


You are welcome to participate at any time, click below:

https://jfb57.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week-5/

This week’s prompt is …the suitcase lay open… + 100 words

100wcgu-72

BUCKLE UP

“What are you doing?” Dolores sagged against the doorjamb.

He ignored her. The suitcase lay open like a guilty yawn.

“Charles? Talk to me.”

Rubbing his ear, he exhaled. “I’m in serious trouble—”

“You—?” Her fingers clutched her throat.

“I’m leaving.”

“I don’t understa—”

He sighed. “The name’s not Charles.”

Flushing, she chortled. “I know who I married.”

“I’m not your husband. I’m his brother.”

“He has a brother?”

“Had. My brother’s dead.”

Dolores dissolved into the floor. “I killed him two years ago.” He snapped the case shut and stepped around her. “Over you.” He paused. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.”

 

© 2015 All Rights Reserved by Tess and How the Cookie Crumbles

Author: Let's CUT the Crap!

I'm getting a little LONG in the tooth and have things to say about---ouch---AGEing. I believe it's certainly a state of mind but sometimes it's nice to hear that you're NORMAL. I enjoy reading by the truckload. I'm a grandma but I don't feel OLD although I'm not so young anymore. My plan is to stick it out as long as I can on this lovely planet and only will leave it kicking and screaming!

70 thoughts on “100-Word Challenge for Grownups – Week #165”

Leave a comment

  1. joannesisco
    January 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    “The suitcase lay open like a guilty yawn” … the setup for what was to come. What a seriously twisted little plot in so few words!!
    I loved it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Carrie Rubin
    January 27, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    Wow, that’s a good one. Just like the commenter above, I love this line: “The suitcase lay open like a guilty yawn.” Very clever.

    Like

  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.
    January 27, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    Tess Karlinski the ace of 100 word stories has done it again… a little late night thriller…

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Sue Slaght
    January 27, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Like Joanne the phrase ‘the suitcase lay open like a guilty yawn’ had me intrigued. My mouth dropped open as the lines went on. Wow Tess you had me on the edge of my seat.

    Like

  5. John W. Howell
    January 27, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    Wow. This was a slammer Tess. Good job.

    Like

  6. judithbarrow1
    January 27, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    another brilliant starter for ten ()or one hundred in this case!)

    Like

  7. The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap
    January 27, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    Wow, that packed a punch! Lot happening fast and furious, great descriptions, especially of the yawning suitcase. Love that one. Good job, my friend. 🙂

    Like

  8. huntmode
    January 27, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Count me in for loving “The suitcase lay open like a guilty yawn.” Loved the last paragraph – my mind was jumping with images. Well done, Tess!

    Like

  9. Jacqui Murray
    January 27, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    Now that is twisted. The only question remaining is: Why’s he leaving?

    Like

  10. teagan geneviene
    January 27, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    I loved the “guilty yawn” thing too. Perfect. But holy crap! That one packed a wallop! Great job, Tess. Hugs! 😀 ❤

    Like

  11. kanzensakura
    January 27, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    wow……oh wow…..and she didn’t know the difference between the two brothers? were they twins? I want some more of this story!!!!!!

    Like

  12. kathils
    January 27, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Love this bit, “I’m not your husband. I’m his brother.”
    “He has a brother?”
    “Had. My brother’s dead.”

    And it all started with an open suitcase… or ended with one, depending on how you look at it.

    Like

  13. susanwritesprecise
    January 27, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    Tess, you nailed it with this one. So crisp and powerful! Brava!

    Like

  14. Judee
    January 28, 2015 at 12:14 am

    Wow, that was unexpected! Talk about a terrible twin! Great twist, perfectly presented. 🙂

    Like

  15. ramblingsfromamum
    January 28, 2015 at 3:01 am

    Another twisty one. Like the others, love the suitcase line, well done again darling.💜 xx
    Do you follow Michael at summerstommy ? I think you would enjoy his writing, he’s also written for this prompt.

    Like

  16. Chatter Master
    January 28, 2015 at 5:46 am

    Sure sure….I’ll forgive you…. no problem! HOLY CRAP!!!! 😦 Poor Dolores. How do you keep doing these Tess?? Well done!!!

    Like

  17. Kate Loveton
    January 28, 2015 at 6:08 am

    And in the end, happiness eluded him! He thought killing his brother for his brother’s wife would scratch the itch and bring him happiness. Instead, it brought him misery. Guilt? A fine little morality tale with a dose of horror thrown in! Well done, Tess!

    Like

  18. thehappyhugger
    January 28, 2015 at 9:20 am

    WOW! Thats the kind of thing thrillers are made of! Great again Tess, I loved it 😊

    Like

  19. willowdot21
    January 28, 2015 at 10:31 am

    Brilliant as ever Tess!

    Like

  20. Darlene
    January 28, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Wow! This could be expanded into a longer story, even a book.

    Like

  21. Lucid Gypsy
    January 28, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Good grief Tess where did this one come from? You are awesome!

    Like

  22. Glynis Jolly
    January 28, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I didn’t see that coming. You got my eyes to pop out with this one.

    Like

  23. The Writing Waters Blog
    January 28, 2015 at 3:00 pm

    Tess…Master of the Briefest and Best Stories.

    Like

  25. Aileen
    January 29, 2015 at 2:50 am

    Great story! So much said in so few words and like so many, I too loved the words ‘guilty yawn’.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. valentinelogar
    January 29, 2015 at 7:43 am

    You are a wordsmith extraordinaire! Truly you get better and better, with each of these. I absolutely loved this one, the set up and the finale were perfect and with so few words.

    Like

  27. Cathy
    January 29, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Amazing to get such a big picture with so few words. Superb!

    Like

  28. Andrea Stephenson
    January 29, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    Ooh yes, very twisted, but quite delicious too 🙂

    Like

  29. summerstommy2
    January 29, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    I couldn’t help but begin to imagine the conversation that follows your story. Well done Tess.

    Like

  30. Sherri
    February 2, 2015 at 9:01 am

    ‘…like a guilty yawn.’ Oh that just puts the whole story on the map, and this map tells one heck of a story – with a punch. Very serious trouble. Great stuff Tess, wonderful flash… ❤ 🙂 ⭐

    Like